Mobility Assistance in Lamar, MO: Help Walking & Transfers

Local figures

Mobility Assistance in Lamar, MO: the local picture

42%

of residents 65+ have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (34% in Barton County)

165

residents 85 or older (3.9% of all residents)

3.6 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Lamar)

53%

of residents 65+ report a disability (48% in Barton County)

About 397 Lamar residents 65 or older have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (42%; 34% in Barton County). That is the Census measure closest to needing mobility help.

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

Home health agencies serving Lamar that list physical therapy include Amedisys Home Health Of Missouri and Freeman Home Care Services; therapy at home needs a doctor’s order.

Lamar compared with Barton County and Missouri

Census figure	Lamar	Barton County	Missouri
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	42%	34%	21%
Residents 85 or older	3.9%	2.7%	2.0%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	6.9%	8.9%	6.4%
Residents 65+ with a disability	53%	48%	34%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	27%	25%	30%
Households with no vehicle	14%	8.8%	6.6%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$33,421	$38,717	—

Older residents in towns around Lamar

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Walking difficulty (65+)
Oronogo, MO	23 mi	272	37%
Frontenac, KS	23 mi	712	17%
Pittsburg, KS	24 mi	2,600	26%
Carthage, MO	24 mi	2,055	36%
Nevada, MO	25 mi	1,455	29%
Webb City, MO	26 mi	1,788	25%

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

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Amedisys Home Health Of Missouri	Joplin, MO	30 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, home health aides	(417) 206-6500
Freeman Home Care Services	Joplin, MO	33 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(417) 347-6000
Phoenix Home Care And Hospice	Springfield, MO	61 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work	(417) 881-7442
Angels Care Home Health	Joplin, MO	30 mi	3.5 of 5	—	(417) 726-4666
Vitalcaring Group	Springfield, MO	61 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(417) 883-1648
Integrity Home Care + Hospice	Springfield, MO	61 mi	3 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(417) 889-9773

Emergency hospitals near Lamar

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Cox Barton County Hospital	Lamar, MO	3.6 mi	not rated	(417) 682-6081
Mercy Hospital Carthage	Carthage, MO	23 mi	4 of 5	(417) 358-8121

Straight-line miles from the center of Lamar. 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 Lamar

At the Missouri median aide wage of $15.90 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,378 a month in wages, which is 49% of the $2,785 monthly median income of Lamar households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Missouri's minimum wage is $15.00 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 Consumer Directed Services in Missouri: how a relative becomes a paid caregiver.

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 Lamar: common questions

How much does mobility assistance cost in Lamar?

At the Missouri median aide wage of $15.90 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,378 a month in wages, which is 49% of the $2,785 monthly median income of Lamar households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Missouri's minimum wage is $15.00 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 Lamar

More senior care near Lamar

Mobility Assistance in nearby cities

Other care in Lamar

More for Lamar 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 Lamar, MO