Mobility Assistance in Novato, CA: Help Walking & Transfers

Local figures

Mobility Assistance in Novato, CA: the local picture

16%

of residents 65+ have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (14% in Marin County)

1,453

residents 85 or older (2.8% of all residents)

2.5 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Novato)

27%

of residents 65+ report a disability (24% in Marin County)

About 1,968 Novato residents 65 or older have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (16%; 14% in Marin County). That is the Census measure closest to needing mobility help.

1,453 residents are 85 or older. Ask any caregiver who will help with transfers how they were trained.

Home health agencies serving Novato that list physical therapy include Truemed, Inc and Care In Touch Home Health Agency; therapy at home needs a doctor’s order.

Novato compared with Marin County and California

Census figure	Novato	Marin County	California
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	16%	14%	22%
Residents 85 or older	2.8%	2.8%	1.9%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	5.2%	5.4%	9.3%
Residents 65+ with a disability	27%	24%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	26%	30%	23%
Households with no vehicle	5.0%	4.9%	7.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$90,361	$107,563	—

Older residents in towns around Novato

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Walking difficulty (65+)
Lucas Valley-Marinwood, CA	3.4 mi	1,763	8.6%
Sleepy Hollow, CA	5.5 mi	788	14%
Santa Venetia, CA	6.0 mi	1,238	22%
Fairfax, CA	7.1 mi	1,735	16%
San Anselmo, CA	7.2 mi	2,745	12%
San Rafael, CA	7.5 mi	12,299	17%

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

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Truemed, Inc	South San Francisco, CA	30 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(650) 588-8331
Care In Touch Home Health Agency	Fremont, CA	50 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(510) 651-8500
Silverline Staff Home Health	Fremont, CA	50 mi	5 of 5	—	(925) 476-5350
Caringhand Home Health Solutions, Inc	Sacramento, CA	62 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(916) 476-3205
Allegro Home Health, Inc	Larkspur, CA	10 mi	4.5 of 5	—	(415) 508-4289
Luxor Care Home Health Services	Vallejo, CA	18 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(707) 561-8008

Emergency hospitals near Novato

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Novato Community Hospital	Novato, CA	2.5 mi	5 of 5	(415) 209-1300
Kaiser Foundation Hospital	San Rafael, CA	4.1 mi	4 of 5	(415) 444-2000

Straight-line miles from the center of Novato. 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 Novato

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 19% of the $7,530 monthly median income of Novato 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 Novato: common questions

How much does mobility assistance cost in Novato?

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 19% of the $7,530 monthly median income of Novato 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 Novato

More senior care near Novato

Mobility Assistance in nearby cities

Other care in Novato

More for Novato 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 Novato, CA