Mobility Assistance in Marion, VA: Help Walking & Transfers

Local figures

Mobility Assistance in Marion, VA: the local picture

20%

of residents 65+ have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (25% in Smyth County)

115

residents 85 or older (2.0% of all residents)

1.3 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Marion)

31%

of residents 65+ report a disability (42% in Smyth County)

About 223 Marion residents 65 or older have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (20%; 25% in Smyth County). That is the Census measure closest to needing mobility help.

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

Home health agencies serving Marion that list physical therapy include Ballad Health Homecare - Abingdon and Ballad Health Homecare - Norton; therapy at home needs a doctor’s order.

Marion compared with Smyth County and Virginia

Census figure	Marion	Smyth County	Virginia
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	20%	25%	19%
Residents 85 or older	2.0%	2.9%	1.7%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	4.5%	8.9%	6.7%
Residents 65+ with a disability	31%	42%	31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	38%	32%	27%
Households with no vehicle	9.4%	6.5%	6.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$42,981	$38,101	—

Older residents in towns around Marion

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Walking difficulty (65+)
Tazewell, VA	20 mi	1,062	22%
Richlands, VA	24 mi	1,295	29%
Wytheville, VA	25 mi	1,952	27%
Abingdon, VA	27 mi	2,046	20%
Mountain City, TN	30 mi	704	29%
Bluefield, VA	31 mi	1,257	24%

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

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Ballad Health Homecare - Abingdon	Abingdon, VA	30 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(276) 525-1227
Ballad Health Homecare - Norton	Norton, VA	62 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(276) 973-9481
Adoration Home Health	Wise, VA	60 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(276) 523-4915
Amedisys Home Health Care	Abingdon, VA	30 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(276) 619-2532
Centerwell Home Health	Abingdon, VA	30 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(276) 623-0665
Home Nursing Services Of Southwest Va Inc	Abingdon, VA	28 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(276) 628-2666

Emergency hospitals near Marion

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Smyth County Community Hospital	Marion, VA	1.3 mi	3 of 5	(276) 378-1000
Carilion Tazewell Community Hospital	Tazewell, VA	19 mi	not rated	(276) 988-8700

Straight-line miles from the center of Marion. 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 Marion

At the Virginia median aide wage of $14.57 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,263 a month in wages, which is 35% of the $3,582 monthly median income of Marion households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Virginia's minimum wage is $12.77 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 care in Virginia: how relatives are paid to give care through CCC Plus.

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 Marion: common questions

How much does mobility assistance cost in Marion?

At the Virginia median aide wage of $14.57 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,263 a month in wages, which is 35% of the $3,582 monthly median income of Marion households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Virginia's minimum wage is $12.77 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 Marion

More senior care near Marion

Mobility Assistance in nearby cities

Other care in Marion

More for Marion 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 Marion, VA