Mobility Assistance in Hilo, HI: Help Walking & Transfers

Local figures

Mobility Assistance in Hilo, HI: the local picture

21%

of residents 65+ have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (20% in Hawaii County)

2,020

residents 85 or older (4.0% of all residents)

1.2 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Hilo)

32%

of residents 65+ report a disability (33% in Hawaii County)

About 2,273 Hilo residents 65 or older have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (21%; 20% in Hawaii County). That is the Census measure closest to needing mobility help.

2,020 residents are 85 or older. Ask any caregiver who will help with transfers how they were trained.

Home health agencies serving Hilo that list physical therapy include Bayada Home Health Care and Home Health Kauai; therapy at home needs a doctor’s order.

Hilo compared with Hawaii County and Hawaii

Census figure	Hilo	Hawaii County	Hawaii
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	21%	20%	20%
Residents 85 or older	4.0%	2.3%	2.8%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	7.9%	6.6%	7.2%
Residents 65+ with a disability	32%	33%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	26%	22%	20%
Households with no vehicle	8.9%	4.8%	8.2%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$67,894	$69,877	—

Older residents in towns around Hilo

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Walking difficulty (65+)
Kurtistown, HI	7.1 mi	833	41%
Hawaiian Paradise Park, HI	10 mi	3,062	16%
Orchidlands Estates, HI	10 mi	450	21%
Hawaiian Acres, HI	11 mi	664	3.9%
Mountain View, HI	13 mi	651	30%
Ainaloa, HI	13 mi	993	38%

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

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Bayada Home Health Care	Hilo, HI	1.2 mi	3 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(808) 933-1702
Home Health Kauai	Lihue, HI	319 mi	2.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, home health aides	(808) 245-5121
Kaiser Permanente Care At Home, Big Island Home Health	Kailua Kona, HI	58 mi	2 of 5	—	(808) 334-4440
Kohala Home Health Care Of North Hi Comm Hosp	Kamuela, HI	46 mi	1.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(808) 881-4711

Emergency hospitals near Hilo

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Hilo Benioff Medical Center	Hilo, HI	1.2 mi	3 of 5	(808) 932-3000
Honoka'a Hospital And Skilled Nursing	Honokaa, HI	38 mi	not rated	(808) 932-4000

Straight-line miles from the center of Hilo. 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 Hilo

At the Hawaii median aide wage of $18.32 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,588 a month in wages, which is 28% of the $5,658 monthly median income of Hilo households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Hawaii's minimum wage is $16.00 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 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 Hilo: common questions

How much does mobility assistance cost in Hilo?

At the Hawaii median aide wage of $18.32 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,588 a month in wages, which is 28% of the $5,658 monthly median income of Hilo households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Hawaii's minimum wage is $16.00 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 Hilo

More senior care near Hilo

Mobility Assistance in nearby cities

Other care in Hilo

More for Hilo 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 Hilo, HI