Mobility Assistance in Merrillville, IN

Local figures

Mobility Assistance in Merrillville, IN: the local picture

25%

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

796

residents 85 or older (2.2% of all residents)

2.3 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Merrillville)

33%

of residents 65+ report a disability (32% in Lake County)

About 1,809 Merrillville residents 65 or older have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (25%; 21% in Lake County). That is the Census measure closest to needing mobility help.

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

Home health agencies serving Merrillville that list physical therapy include Powers Home Health Services and Enhabit Home Health; therapy at home needs a doctor’s order.

Merrillville compared with Lake County and Indiana

Census figure	Merrillville	Lake County	Indiana
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	25%	21%	21%
Residents 85 or older	2.2%	2.0%	1.9%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	7.8%	6.9%	6.3%
Residents 65+ with a disability	33%	32%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	41%	29%	30%
Households with no vehicle	8.4%	7.2%	6.2%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$38,614	$53,273	—

Older residents in towns around Merrillville

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Walking difficulty (65+)
Hobart, IN	3.6 mi	4,478	21%
Crown Point, IN	4.6 mi	6,282	17%
Winfield, IN	5.1 mi	970	21%
Ross, IN	5.2 mi	1,051	30%
Schererville, IN	6.5 mi	6,515	18%
Griffith, IN	6.7 mi	2,974	20%

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

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Powers Home Health Services	Hobart, IN	5.0 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides	(219) 947-6105
Enhabit Home Health	Schererville, IN	7.5 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work	(219) 864-9988
Community Home Health Services	Munster, IN	11 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(219) 836-6716
Elara Caring	Valparaiso, IN	13 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(219) 246-5171
Greatland Home Health	Highland, IN	9.0 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work	(219) 595-5081
At Home Quality Care	Chesterton, IN	17 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(219) 395-9100

Emergency hospitals near Merrillville

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Regional Mental Health Center	Merrillville, IN	2.3 mi	not rated	(219) 769-4005
Franciscan Health Crown Point	Crown Point, IN	3.9 mi	3 of 5	(219) 757-6100

Straight-line miles from the center of Merrillville. 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 Merrillville

At the Indiana median aide wage of $16.86 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,461 a month in wages, which is 45% of the $3,218 monthly median income of Merrillville households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Indiana's minimum wage is $7.25 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 Merrillville: common questions

How much does mobility assistance cost in Merrillville?

At the Indiana median aide wage of $16.86 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,461 a month in wages, which is 45% of the $3,218 monthly median income of Merrillville households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Indiana's minimum wage is $7.25 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 Merrillville

More senior care near Merrillville

Mobility Assistance in nearby cities

Other care in Merrillville

More for Merrillville 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 Merrillville, IN