Mobility Assistance in Merced, CA: Help Walking & Transfers

Local figures

Mobility Assistance in Merced, CA: the local picture

34%

of residents 65+ have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (28% in Merced County)

964

residents 85 or older (1.0% of all residents)

0.9 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Merced)

46%

of residents 65+ report a disability (40% in Merced County)

About 3,145 Merced residents 65 or older have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (34%; 28% in Merced County). That is the Census measure closest to needing mobility help.

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

Home health agencies serving Merced that list physical therapy include Atta Home Healthcare and Caringhand Home Health Solutions, Inc; therapy at home needs a doctor’s order.

Merced compared with Merced County and California

Census figure	Merced	Merced County	California
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	34%	28%	22%
Residents 85 or older	1.0%	1.3%	1.9%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	13%	12%	9.3%
Residents 65+ with a disability	46%	40%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	26%	24%	23%
Households with no vehicle	8.9%	7.3%	7.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$44,092	$44,830	—

Older residents in towns around Merced

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Walking difficulty (65+)
Franklin, CA	3.3 mi	1,046	38%
McSwain, CA	6.0 mi	564	30%
Atwater, CA	7.4 mi	3,993	34%
Planada, CA	8.7 mi	573	24%
Winton, CA	9.4 mi	1,127	23%
Livingston, CA	15 mi	1,537	23%

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

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Atta Home Healthcare	Modesto, CA	36 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(510) 598-6355
Silverline Staff Home Health	Fremont, CA	83 mi	5 of 5	—	(925) 476-5350
Caringhand Home Health Solutions, Inc	Sacramento, CA	100 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(916) 476-3205
Telfair Home Health Care	Glendale, CA	249 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(818) 539-5244
Mercy Home Care	Merced, CA	0.9 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(209) 564-4320
Progressive Home Health Care	Modesto, CA	36 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(209) 505-1035

Emergency hospitals near Merced

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Mercy Medical Center	Merced, CA	0.9 mi	3 of 5	(209) 564-5000
Emanuel Medical Center	Turlock, CA	26 mi	2 of 5	(209) 667-4200

Straight-line miles from the center of Merced. 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 Merced

At the California minimum wage of $16.90 an hour (the May 2025 median aide wage, $16.50, is now below it), 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,465 a month in wages, which is 40% of the $3,674 monthly median income of Merced households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. California's minimum wage is $16.90 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 How to get paid to care for a family member in California: IHSS, VA, Paid Family Leave.

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 Merced: common questions

How much does mobility assistance cost in Merced?

At the California minimum wage of $16.90 an hour (the May 2025 median aide wage, $16.50, is now below it), 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,465 a month in wages, which is 40% of the $3,674 monthly median income of Merced households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. California's minimum wage is $16.90 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 Merced

More senior care near Merced

Mobility Assistance in nearby cities

Other care in Merced

More for Merced 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 Merced, CA