Mobility Assistance in Kalkaska, MI

Local figures

Mobility Assistance in Kalkaska, MI: the local picture

42%

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

139

residents 85 or older (5.5% of all residents)

3.1 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Kalkaska)

64%

of residents 65+ report a disability (36% in Kalkaska County)

About 205 Kalkaska residents 65 or older have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (42%; 21% in Kalkaska County). That is the Census measure closest to needing mobility help.

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

Home health agencies serving Kalkaska that list physical therapy include Great Lakes Home Healthcare Specialists LLC and Munson Home Care; therapy at home needs a doctor’s order.

Kalkaska compared with Kalkaska County and Michigan

Census figure	Kalkaska	Kalkaska County	Michigan
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	42%	21%	19%
Residents 85 or older	5.5%	2.0%	2.1%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	20%	8.0%	6.4%
Residents 65+ with a disability	64%	36%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	43%	29%	29%
Households with no vehicle	11%	5.0%	7.0%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$45,536	$51,890	—

Older residents in towns around Kalkaska

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Walking difficulty (65+)
Traverse City, MI	21 mi	3,729	13%
Gaylord, MI	32 mi	907	23%
Boyne City, MI	34 mi	943	19%
Cadillac, MI	36 mi	2,207	27%
Houghton Lake, MI	37 mi	1,983	30%
Petoskey, MI	45 mi	1,361	15%

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

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Great Lakes Home Healthcare Specialists LLC	Traverse City, MI	22 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(231) 421-5036
Munson Home Care	Traverse City, MI	22 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(800) 252-2065
Evergreen Home Health	Gaylord, MI	32 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides	(989) 448-2778
Residential Home Health And Hospice	Saginaw, MI	106 mi	3 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(810) 245-3300
Residential Home Health And Hospice	Lapeer, MI	148 mi	3 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(810) 245-3300
Residential Home Health	Troy, MI	178 mi	3 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(866) 902-4000

Emergency hospitals near Kalkaska

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Kalkaska Memorial Health Center	Kalkaska, MI	3.1 mi	not rated	(231) 258-7500
Munson Medical Center	Traverse City, MI	24 mi	4 of 5	(231) 935-5000

Straight-line miles from the center of Kalkaska. 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 Kalkaska

At the Michigan median aide wage of $16.83 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,459 a month in wages, which is 38% of the $3,795 monthly median income of Kalkaska households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Michigan's minimum wage is $13.73 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026), rising to $15.00 on January 1, 2027.

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 Kalkaska: common questions

How much does mobility assistance cost in Kalkaska?

At the Michigan median aide wage of $16.83 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,459 a month in wages, which is 38% of the $3,795 monthly median income of Kalkaska households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Michigan's minimum wage is $13.73 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026), rising to $15.00 on January 1, 2027.

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 Kalkaska

More senior care near Kalkaska

Mobility Assistance in nearby cities

Other care in Kalkaska

More for Kalkaska 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 Kalkaska, MI