Mobility Assistance in Fairbanks, AK

Local figures

Mobility Assistance in Fairbanks, AK: the local picture

28%

of residents 65+ have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (21% in Fairbanks North Star Borough)

302

residents 85 or older (0.9% of all residents)

0.6 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Fort Wainwright)

43%

of residents 65+ report a disability (38% in Fairbanks North Star Borough)

About 1,036 Fairbanks residents 65 or older have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (28%; 21% in Fairbanks North Star Borough). That is the Census measure closest to needing mobility help.

302 residents are 85 or older. Ask any caregiver who will help with transfers how they were trained.

Home health agencies serving Fairbanks that list physical therapy include Fairbanks Memorial Hospital Home Care; therapy at home needs a doctor’s order.

Fairbanks compared with Fairbanks North Star Borough and Alaska

Census figure	Fairbanks	Fairbanks North Star Borough	Alaska
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	28%	21%	19%
Residents 85 or older	0.9%	0.9%	0.9%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	8.8%	5.7%	6.8%
Residents 65+ with a disability	43%	38%	35%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	27%	28%	27%
Households with no vehicle	8.0%	4.6%	9.0%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$83,125	$74,887	—

Older residents in towns around Fairbanks

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Walking difficulty (65+)
Farmers Loop, AK	5.1 mi	631	15%
College, AK	5.4 mi	2,077	17%
Badger, AK	8.2 mi	2,263	24%
Steele Creek, AK	8.8 mi	727	20%
Chena Ridge, AK	12 mi	639	8.1%
Ester, AK	12 mi	359	1.4%

Home health agencies serving Fairbanks (therapy needs a doctor’s order)

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Fairbanks Memorial Hospital Home Care	Fairbanks, AK	1.9 mi	3 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(907) 458-5410

Emergency hospitals near Fairbanks

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Bassett Ach (Ft Wainwright)	Fort Wainwright, AK	0.6 mi	not rated	(907) 361-4000
Fairbanks Memorial Hospital	Fairbanks, AK	1.9 mi	2 of 5	(907) 452-8181

Straight-line miles from the center of Fairbanks. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a caregiver for mobility help can help with

Steadying walks inside and outside the home
Transfers: bed, chair, toilet, shower and car
Help with walkers, canes and wheelchairs
The home exercises a physical therapist set

Cost

What mobility assistance costs in Fairbanks

At the Alaska median aide wage of $19.11 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,656 a month in wages, which is 24% of the $6,927 monthly median income of Fairbanks households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Alaska's minimum wage is $14.00 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Hiring directly, you agree the rate with the caregiver and usually become the household employer (U.S. Department of Labor rules). Some families qualify for programs that pay for care at home; see How to get paid to care for a family member in Alaska: consumer-directed personal care.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a caregiver for mobility help

Falls are the leading cause of injury for adults 65 and older, and over 14 million, or 1 in 4, older adults report falling every year (CDC).

Questions worth asking: Which transfers are you trained to do safely? Have you used a gait belt, walker or wheelchair with clients? What would you do if my parent started to fall? More in our mobility assistance guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Mobility Assistance in Fairbanks: common questions

How much does mobility assistance cost in Fairbanks?

At the Alaska median aide wage of $19.11 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,656 a month in wages, which is 24% of the $6,927 monthly median income of Fairbanks households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Alaska's minimum wage is $14.00 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

What does a caregiver do to help with mobility?

Walks beside the person, helps them stand and sit, transfers them to bed, chair, toilet, shower or car, and keeps walkways clear. They do not replace a physical therapist.

More near Fairbanks

More senior care near Fairbanks

Mobility Assistance in nearby cities

Other care in Fairbanks

More for Fairbanks families

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year; CMS provider data (October 25, 2026); U.S. DOL state minimum wages (July 1, 2026); BLS OEWS May 2025 aide wages, which cover employed aides rather than private rates.

Mobility Assistance at Home in Fairbanks, AK