Mobility Assistance in San Mateo, CA

Local figures

Mobility Assistance in San Mateo, CA: the local picture

20%

of residents 65+ have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (18% in San Mateo County)

2,991

residents 85 or older (2.9% of all residents)

1.6 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (San Mateo)

33%

of residents 65+ report a disability (28% in San Mateo County)

About 3,448 San Mateo residents 65 or older have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (20%; 18% in San Mateo County). That is the Census measure closest to needing mobility help.

2,991 residents are 85 or older. Ask any caregiver who will help with transfers how they were trained.

Home health agencies serving San Mateo that list physical therapy include American Carequest and Cvh Care; therapy at home needs a doctor’s order.

San Mateo compared with San Mateo County and California

Census figure	San Mateo	San Mateo County	California
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	20%	18%	22%
Residents 85 or older	2.9%	2.5%	1.9%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	11%	8.3%	9.3%
Residents 65+ with a disability	33%	28%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	29%	21%	23%
Households with no vehicle	6.8%	5.8%	7.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$79,791	$103,766	—

Older residents in towns around San Mateo

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Walking difficulty (65+)
Hillsborough, CA	2.6 mi	2,262	7.6%
Foster City, CA	3.3 mi	5,759	19%
Belmont, CA	3.3 mi	3,813	16%
Burlingame, CA	3.5 mi	4,983	16%
San Carlos, CA	4.8 mi	4,894	11%
Millbrae, CA	5.7 mi	4,599	17%

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

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
American Carequest	Burlingame, CA	3.2 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(415) 885-9100
Cvh Care	South San Francisco, CA	9.1 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(510) 690-1930
Truemed, Inc	South San Francisco, CA	9.1 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(650) 588-8331
A1 Pro Home Health Inc.	San Leandro, CA	14 mi	5 of 5	—	(510) 738-0888
Care First Home Health, LLC	San Leandro, CA	14 mi	5 of 5	—	(510) 878-9288
Grace Community Home Health Inc.	Mountain View, CA	17 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(650) 784-0082

Emergency hospitals near San Mateo

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
San Mateo Medical Center	San Mateo, CA	1.6 mi	not rated	(650) 573-2222
Peninsula Medical Center	Burlingame, CA	3.2 mi	5 of 5	(650) 696-5400

Straight-line miles from the center of San Mateo. 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 San Mateo

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 22% of the $6,649 monthly median income of San Mateo 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 San Mateo: common questions

How much does mobility assistance cost in San Mateo?

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 22% of the $6,649 monthly median income of San Mateo 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 San Mateo

More senior care near San Mateo

Mobility Assistance in nearby cities

Other care in San Mateo

More for San Mateo 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 San Mateo, CA