Mobility Assistance in Friday Harbor, WA

Local figures

Mobility Assistance in Friday Harbor, WA: the local picture

17%

of residents 65+ have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (11% in San Juan County)

84

residents 85 or older (3.1% of all residents)

3.6 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Friday Harbor)

26%

of residents 65+ report a disability (21% in San Juan County)

About 82 Friday Harbor residents 65 or older have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (17%; 11% in San Juan County). That is the Census measure closest to needing mobility help.

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

Home health agencies serving Friday Harbor that list physical therapy include Alpha Home Health; therapy at home needs a doctor’s order.

Friday Harbor compared with San Juan County and Washington

Census figure	Friday Harbor	San Juan County	Washington
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	17%	11%	20%
Residents 85 or older	3.1%	2.8%	1.8%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	3.9%	3.3%	7.1%
Residents 65+ with a disability	26%	21%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	44%	24%	26%
Households with no vehicle	9.5%	3.6%	7.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$53,000	$75,313	—

Older residents in towns around Friday Harbor

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Walking difficulty (65+)
Anacortes, WA	18 mi	5,751	15%
Oak Harbor, WA	24 mi	3,118	26%
Marietta-Alderwood, WA	28 mi	836	9.6%
Bellingham, WA	29 mi	15,407	16%
Ferndale, WA	29 mi	2,516	19%
Birch Bay, WA	30 mi	2,626	13%

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

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Alpha Home Health	Everett, WA	58 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(360) 299-1302

Emergency hospitals near Friday Harbor

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Peacehealth Peace Island Medical Center	Friday Harbor, WA	3.6 mi	not rated	(360) 378-2141
Island Hospital	Anacortes, WA	18 mi	4 of 5	(360) 299-1300

Straight-line miles from the center of Friday Harbor. 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 Friday Harbor

At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 45% of the $4,417 monthly median income of Friday Harbor households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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 Friday Harbor: common questions

How much does mobility assistance cost in Friday Harbor?

At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 45% of the $4,417 monthly median income of Friday Harbor households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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 Friday Harbor

More senior care near Friday Harbor

Mobility Assistance in nearby cities

Other care in Friday Harbor

More for Friday Harbor 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 Friday Harbor, WA