Mobility Assistance in Missoula, MT

Local figures

Mobility Assistance in Missoula, MT: the local picture

17%

of residents 65+ have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (16% in Missoula County)

1,096

residents 85 or older (1.4% of all residents)

2.1 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Missoula)

28%

of residents 65+ report a disability (29% in Missoula County)

About 1,867 Missoula residents 65 or older have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (17%; 16% in Missoula County). That is the Census measure closest to needing mobility help.

1,096 residents are 85 or older. Ask any caregiver who will help with transfers how they were trained.

Home health agencies serving Missoula that list physical therapy include Big Sky Home Health and Partners In Home Care Inc; therapy at home needs a doctor’s order.

Missoula compared with Missoula County and Montana

Census figure	Missoula	Missoula County	Montana
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	17%	16%	18%
Residents 85 or older	1.4%	1.7%	1.9%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	4.2%	5.5%	5.3%
Residents 65+ with a disability	28%	29%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	37%	29%	29%
Households with no vehicle	6.7%	5.2%	4.7%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$59,421	$60,593	—

Older residents in towns around Missoula

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Walking difficulty (65+)
Orchard Homes, MT	2.8 mi	1,256	25%
Lolo, MT	8.1 mi	526	9.1%
Hamilton, MT	43 mi	1,748	26%
Polson, MT	56 mi	1,348	8.6%
Anaconda, MT	68 mi	2,528	25%
Deer Lodge, MT	70 mi	745	36%

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

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Big Sky Home Health	Bozeman, MT	165 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(406) 551-2273
Partners In Home Care Inc	Missoula, MT	7.3 mi	3 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(406) 728-8848
Enhabit Home Health	Helena, MT	97 mi	3 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(406) 443-4140
Granite Peak Home Health	Miles City, MT	390 mi	2 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, home health aides	(406) 874-5134
Trek Healthcare	Missoula, MT	1.2 mi	1.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(406) 541-1800
Big Sky Home Health	Missoula, MT	7.3 mi	not rated	—	(406) 543-4408

Emergency hospitals near Missoula

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
St. Patrick Hospital	Missoula, MT	2.1 mi	5 of 5	(406) 543-7271
Community Medical Center	Missoula, MT	7.1 mi	3 of 5	(406) 728-4100

Straight-line miles from the center of Missoula. 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 Missoula

At the Montana median aide wage of $17.61 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,526 a month in wages, which is 31% of the $4,952 monthly median income of Missoula households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Montana's minimum wage is $10.85 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 Missoula: common questions

How much does mobility assistance cost in Missoula?

At the Montana median aide wage of $17.61 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,526 a month in wages, which is 31% of the $4,952 monthly median income of Missoula households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Montana's minimum wage is $10.85 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 Missoula

More senior care near Missoula

Mobility Assistance in nearby cities

Other care in Missoula

More for Missoula 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 Missoula, MT