Mobility Assistance in Seattle, WA: Help Walking & Transfers

Local figures

Mobility Assistance in Seattle, WA: the local picture

18%

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

12,594

residents 85 or older (1.7% of all residents)

1.1 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Seattle)

30%

of residents 65+ report a disability (30% in King County)

About 16,709 Seattle residents 65 or older have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (18%; 18% in King County). That is the Census measure closest to needing mobility help.

12,594 residents are 85 or older. Ask any caregiver who will help with transfers how they were trained.

Home health agencies serving Seattle that list physical therapy include Alpha Home Health and Kline Galland Home Health; therapy at home needs a doctor’s order.

Seattle compared with King County and Washington

Census figure	Seattle	King County	Washington
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	18%	18%	20%
Residents 85 or older	1.7%	1.7%	1.8%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	7.6%	7.3%	7.1%
Residents 65+ with a disability	30%	30%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	34%	28%	26%
Households with no vehicle	19%	11%	7.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$73,299	$76,893	—

Older residents in towns around Seattle

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Walking difficulty (65+)
Medina, WA	5.1 mi	545	9.5%
Clyde Hill, WA	6.3 mi	715	9.5%
Mercer Island, WA	6.8 mi	5,610	14%
Bainbridge Island, WA	7.4 mi	6,744	7.1%
Boulevard Park, WA	7.5 mi	519	7.5%
White Center, WA	7.6 mi	1,939	18%

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

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Alpha Home Health	Everett, WA	20 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(360) 299-1302
Kline Galland Home Health	Seattle, WA	5.7 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(206) 805-1930
Eden Home Health	Tukwila, WA	8.6 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(360) 717-8161
Evergreenhealth Home Care Services	Kirkland, WA	10 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(425) 899-3300
Amedisys Home Health	Bellevue, WA	8.6 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical social work	(225) 292-2031
Signature Healthcare At Home	Federal Way, WA	21 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(253) 661-5166

Emergency hospitals near Seattle

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Virginia Mason Medical Center	Seattle, WA	1.1 mi	5 of 5	(206) 223-6600
Harborview Medical Center	Seattle, WA	1.6 mi	2 of 5	(206) 744-9535

Straight-line miles from the center of Seattle. 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 Seattle

At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 33% of the $6,108 monthly median income of Seattle households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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 Seattle: common questions

How much does mobility assistance cost in Seattle?

At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 33% of the $6,108 monthly median income of Seattle households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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 Seattle

More senior care near Seattle

Mobility Assistance in nearby cities

Other care in Seattle

More for Seattle 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 Seattle, WA