Mobility Assistance in Oskaloosa, IA

Local figures

Mobility Assistance in Oskaloosa, IA: the local picture

24%

of residents 65+ have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (22% in Mahaska County)

306

residents 85 or older (2.7% of all residents)

0.2 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Oskaloosa)

35%

of residents 65+ report a disability (34% in Mahaska County)

About 503 Oskaloosa residents 65 or older have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (24%; 22% in Mahaska County). That is the Census measure closest to needing mobility help.

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

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

Oskaloosa compared with Mahaska County and Iowa

Census figure	Oskaloosa	Mahaska County	Iowa
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	24%	22%	17%
Residents 85 or older	2.7%	2.0%	2.3%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	8.3%	7.6%	5.1%
Residents 65+ with a disability	35%	34%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	26%	26%	31%
Households with no vehicle	5.5%	4.0%	5.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$50,023	$50,470	—

Older residents in towns around Oskaloosa

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Walking difficulty (65+)
Pella, IA	16 mi	2,017	21%
Albia, IA	20 mi	812	30%
Ottumwa, IA	22 mi	4,107	25%
Knoxville, IA	24 mi	1,720	31%
Grinnell, IA	31 mi	2,034	25%
Newton, IA	35 mi	3,381	20%

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

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Elara Caring	Chariton, IA	39 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(641) 774-2339
Elara Caring	Centerville, IA	41 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, home health aides	(641) 437-1117
Iowa Home Care, L L C	Ottumwa, IA	22 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(641) 226-5050
Pella Regional Home Health Agency	Pella, IA	16 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(641) 628-6638
Unitypoint At Home	Urbandale, IA	61 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(515) 557-3100
Iowa Home Care, L L C	West Des Moines, IA	63 mi	3 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(515) 222-9995

Emergency hospitals near Oskaloosa

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Mahaska Health Partnership	Oskaloosa, IA	0.2 mi	4 of 5	(641) 672-3100
Pella Regional Health Center	Pella, IA	16 mi	4 of 5	(641) 628-3150

Straight-line miles from the center of Oskaloosa. 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 Oskaloosa

At the Iowa median aide wage of $17.34 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,503 a month in wages, which is 36% of the $4,169 monthly median income of Oskaloosa households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Iowa'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 Oskaloosa: common questions

How much does mobility assistance cost in Oskaloosa?

At the Iowa median aide wage of $17.34 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,503 a month in wages, which is 36% of the $4,169 monthly median income of Oskaloosa households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Iowa'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 Oskaloosa

More senior care near Oskaloosa

Mobility Assistance in nearby cities

Other care in Oskaloosa

More for Oskaloosa 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 Oskaloosa, IA