Mobility Assistance in New Bedford, MA

Local figures

Mobility Assistance in New Bedford, MA: the local picture

23%

of residents 65+ have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (20% in Bristol County)

1,946

residents 85 or older (1.9% of all residents)

11 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Fall River)

36%

of residents 65+ report a disability (33% in Bristol County)

About 3,440 New Bedford residents 65 or older have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (23%; 20% in Bristol County). That is the Census measure closest to needing mobility help.

1,946 residents are 85 or older. Ask any caregiver who will help with transfers how they were trained.

Home health agencies serving New Bedford that list physical therapy include Elara Caring and Centerwell Home Health; therapy at home needs a doctor’s order.

New Bedford compared with Bristol County and Massachusetts

Census figure	New Bedford	Bristol County	Massachusetts
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	23%	20%	18%
Residents 85 or older	1.9%	2.1%	2.2%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	10%	8.2%	7.2%
Residents 65+ with a disability	36%	33%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	41%	30%	29%
Households with no vehicle	17%	9.5%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$39,345	$54,856	—

Older residents in towns around New Bedford

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Walking difficulty (65+)
Acushnet Center, MA	2.3 mi	816	16%
Smith Mills, MA	3.3 mi	976	18%
Bliss Corner, MA	3.9 mi	1,499	14%
Mattapoisett Center, MA	7.2 mi	719	9.6%
North Westport, MA	9.0 mi	861	22%
Fall River, MA	9.2 mi	15,169	26%

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

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Elara Caring	Braintree, MA	38 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(617) 969-7517
Centerwell Home Health	Fall River, MA	10 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work	(508) 672-0675
Pivot Point Homecare Services LLC	Westborough, MA	55 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(508) 873-1358
Amedisys Home Health Care	Wakefield, MA	58 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(978) 685-2818
Community Nurse, Inc	Fairhaven, MA	2.9 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(508) 992-6278
Guardian Home Health Care, LLC	W Bridgewater, MA	26 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, home health aides	(508) 588-5811

Emergency hospitals near New Bedford

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Southcoast Hospitals Group	Fall River, MA	11 mi	4 of 5	(508) 679-3131
Saint Anne's Hospital	Fall River, MA	12 mi	3 of 5	(508) 674-5600

Straight-line miles from the center of New Bedford. 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 New Bedford

At the Massachusetts median aide wage of $19.67 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,705 a month in wages, which is 52% of the $3,279 monthly median income of New Bedford households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Massachusetts'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 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 New Bedford: common questions

How much does mobility assistance cost in New Bedford?

At the Massachusetts median aide wage of $19.67 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,705 a month in wages, which is 52% of the $3,279 monthly median income of New Bedford households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Massachusetts'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 New Bedford

More senior care near New Bedford

Mobility Assistance in nearby cities

Other care in New Bedford

More for New Bedford 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 New Bedford, MA