Mobility Assistance in Fergus Falls, MN

Local figures

Mobility Assistance in Fergus Falls, MN: the local picture

19%

of residents 65+ have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (13% in Otter Tail County)

884

residents 85 or older (6.2% of all residents)

21 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Elbow Lake)

40%

of residents 65+ report a disability (28% in Otter Tail County)

About 650 Fergus Falls residents 65 or older have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (19%; 13% in Otter Tail County). That is the Census measure closest to needing mobility help.

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

Home health agencies serving Fergus Falls that list physical therapy include Aveanna Home Health and Chi Health At Home; therapy at home needs a doctor’s order.

Fergus Falls compared with Otter Tail County and Minnesota

Census figure	Fergus Falls	Otter Tail County	Minnesota
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	19%	13%	16%
Residents 85 or older	6.2%	3.2%	2.1%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	7.1%	4.1%	5.4%
Residents 65+ with a disability	40%	28%	28%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	38%	26%	30%
Households with no vehicle	10%	5.6%	6.7%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$47,455	$53,778	—

Older residents in towns around Fergus Falls

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Walking difficulty (65+)
Pelican Rapids, MN	20 mi	444	16%
Breckenridge, MN	24 mi	667	11%
Wahpeton, ND	26 mi	1,557	20%
Barnesville, MN	30 mi	359	20%
Perham, MN	32 mi	872	19%
Detroit Lakes, MN	38 mi	2,539	25%

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

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Aveanna Home Health	Waite Park, MN	103 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides	(320) 774-0777
Chi Health At Home	Breckenridge, MN	23 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(218) 643-2275
Sanford Home Care Fargo	Fargo, ND	53 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(701) 234-4900
Vivie Home Health	Alexandria, MN	43 mi	3 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(320) 759-1273
New Dimensions Home Health Care Inc.	Fergus Falls, MN	0.9 mi	1.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides	(218) 739-5856

Emergency hospitals near Fergus Falls

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Prairie Ridge Hospital And Health Services	Elbow Lake, MN	21 mi	not rated	(218) 685-7300
St Francis Medical Center	Breckenridge, MN	23 mi	not rated	(218) 643-3000

Straight-line miles from the center of Fergus Falls. 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 Fergus Falls

At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 40% of the $3,955 monthly median income of Fergus Falls households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 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 Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states.

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 Fergus Falls: common questions

How much does mobility assistance cost in Fergus Falls?

At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 40% of the $3,955 monthly median income of Fergus Falls households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 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 Fergus Falls

More senior care near Fergus Falls

Mobility Assistance in nearby cities

Other care in Fergus Falls

More for Fergus Falls 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 Fergus Falls, MN