Mobility Assistance in Salem, OR: Help Walking & Transfers

Local figures

Mobility Assistance in Salem, OR: the local picture

24%

of residents 65+ have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (23% in Marion County)

3,380

residents 85 or older (1.9% of all residents)

2.0 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Salem)

39%

of residents 65+ report a disability (38% in Marion County)

About 6,469 Salem residents 65 or older have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (24%; 23% in Marion County). That is the Census measure closest to needing mobility help.

3,380 residents are 85 or older. Ask any caregiver who will help with transfers how they were trained.

Home health agencies serving Salem that list physical therapy include Providence Benedictine Home Health and Amedisys Home Health Care; therapy at home needs a doctor’s order.

Salem compared with Marion County and Oregon

Census figure	Salem	Marion County	Oregon
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	24%	23%	20%
Residents 85 or older	1.9%	2.0%	2.1%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	9.7%	8.4%	7.2%
Residents 65+ with a disability	39%	38%	34%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	32%	28%	27%
Households with no vehicle	7.7%	6.2%	7.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$57,857	$57,979	—

Older residents in towns around Salem

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Walking difficulty (65+)
Four Corners, OR	2.5 mi	2,627	29%
Hayesville, OR	4.5 mi	2,594	27%
Keizer, OR	5.5 mi	7,059	22%
Turner, OR	6.3 mi	551	15%
Aumsville, OR	9.2 mi	370	30%
Independence, OR	9.7 mi	1,099	16%

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

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Providence Benedictine Home Health	Mount Angel, OR	16 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(503) 845-9226
Amedisys Home Health Care	Salem, OR	2.0 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(503) 364-9850
Signature Healthcare At Home	Tigard, OR	35 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(503) 783-2470
Aleca Home Health	Salem, OR	1.7 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(503) 954-2197
Physicians Choice	Wilsonville, OR	29 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(503) 308-4060
Mission Home Health Of Salem	Albany, OR	21 mi	3 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work	(503) 766-3124

Emergency hospitals near Salem

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Salem Hospital	Salem, OR	2.0 mi	3 of 5	(503) 561-5200
Legacy Silverton Medical Center	Silverton, OR	14 mi	not rated	(503) 873-1500

Straight-line miles from the center of Salem. 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 Salem

At the Oregon median aide wage of $21.35 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,850 a month in wages, which is 38% of the $4,821 monthly median income of Salem households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Oregon's minimum wage is $16.80 in the Portland metro area, $15.55 in the standard state rate, $14.55 in non-urban counties (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 Salem: common questions

How much does mobility assistance cost in Salem?

At the Oregon median aide wage of $21.35 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,850 a month in wages, which is 38% of the $4,821 monthly median income of Salem households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Oregon's minimum wage is $16.80 in the Portland metro area, $15.55 in the standard state rate, $14.55 in non-urban counties (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 Salem

More senior care near Salem

Mobility Assistance in nearby cities

Other care in Salem

More for Salem 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 Salem, OR