Mobility Assistance in Gary, IN: Help Walking & Transfers

Local figures

Mobility Assistance in Gary, IN: the local picture

24%

of residents 65+ have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (21% in Lake County)

1,545

residents 85 or older (2.3% of all residents)

0.8 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Gary)

37%

of residents 65+ report a disability (32% in Lake County)

About 3,096 Gary residents 65 or older have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (24%; 21% in Lake County). That is the Census measure closest to needing mobility help.

1,545 residents are 85 or older. Ask any caregiver who will help with transfers how they were trained.

Home health agencies serving Gary that list physical therapy include Powers Home Health Services and Mhn My Home Nurses; therapy at home needs a doctor’s order.

Gary compared with Lake County and Indiana

Census figure	Gary	Lake County	Indiana
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	24%	21%	21%
Residents 85 or older	2.3%	2.0%	1.9%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	8.3%	6.9%	6.3%
Residents 65+ with a disability	37%	32%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	39%	29%	30%
Households with no vehicle	14%	7.2%	6.2%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$42,274	$53,273	—

Older residents in towns around Gary

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Walking difficulty (65+)
Ross, IN	4.1 mi	1,051	30%
Lake Station, IN	5.0 mi	1,648	34%
Griffith, IN	5.9 mi	2,974	20%
Hobart, IN	6.5 mi	4,478	21%
Highland, IN	6.5 mi	5,096	18%
East Chicago, IN	6.8 mi	3,676	24%

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

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Powers Home Health Services	Hobart, IN	6.6 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides	(219) 947-6105
Mhn My Home Nurses	Chicago, IL	20 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(708) 801-8662
Greatland Home Health Services, Inc	Naperville, IL	43 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(630) 548-2126
Community Home Health Services	Munster, IN	8.3 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(219) 836-6716
Enhabit Home Health	Schererville, IN	9.0 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work	(219) 864-9988
Elara Caring	Valparaiso, IN	17 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(219) 246-5171

Emergency hospitals near Gary

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Methodist Hospitals Inc	Gary, IN	0.8 mi	1 of 5	(219) 886-4000
St Mary Medical Center Inc	Hobart, IN	6.6 mi	3 of 5	(219) 947-6196

Straight-line miles from the center of Gary. 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 Gary

At the Indiana median aide wage of $16.86 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,461 a month in wages, which is 41% of the $3,523 monthly median income of Gary households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Indiana's minimum wage is $7.25 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 Gary: common questions

How much does mobility assistance cost in Gary?

At the Indiana median aide wage of $16.86 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,461 a month in wages, which is 41% of the $3,523 monthly median income of Gary households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Indiana's minimum wage is $7.25 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 Gary

More senior care near Gary

Mobility Assistance in nearby cities

Other care in Gary

More for Gary 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 Gary, IN