Mobility Assistance in University Place, WA

Local figures

Mobility Assistance in University Place, WA: the local picture

19%

of residents 65+ have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (21% in Pierce County)

720

residents 85 or older (2.1% of all residents)

3.9 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Lakewood)

32%

of residents 65+ report a disability (36% in Pierce County)

About 1,271 University Place residents 65 or older have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (19%; 21% in Pierce County). That is the Census measure closest to needing mobility help.

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

Home health agencies serving University Place that list physical therapy include Puget Sound Home Health and Centerwell Home Health; therapy at home needs a doctor’s order.

University Place compared with Pierce County and Washington

Census figure	University Place	Pierce County	Washington
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	19%	21%	20%
Residents 85 or older	2.1%	1.5%	1.8%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	7.0%	7.7%	7.1%
Residents 65+ with a disability	32%	36%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	21%	25%	26%
Households with no vehicle	3.8%	5.4%	7.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$82,456	$70,061	—

Older residents in towns around University Place

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Walking difficulty (65+)
Fircrest, WA	1.8 mi	1,314	22%
Lakewood, WA	3.7 mi	10,825	27%
Steilacoom, WA	3.8 mi	1,270	19%
Tacoma, WA	4.8 mi	33,418	23%
Wollochet, WA	4.9 mi	1,739	26%
Fox Island, WA	5.5 mi	937	9.6%

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

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Puget Sound Home Health	Tacoma, WA	3.1 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work	(253) 581-9410
Centerwell Home Health	Tacoma, WA	3.1 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(253) 475-6862
Eden Home Health	Tukwila, WA	36 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(360) 717-8161
Signature Healthcare At Home	Federal Way, WA	13 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(253) 661-5166
Chi Franciscan Health At Home	University Place, WA	0.9 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides	(253) 543-7026
Multicare Good Samaritan Home Health	Tacoma, WA	5.7 mi	3 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(253) 301-6400

Emergency hospitals near University Place

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
St Clare Hospital	Lakewood, WA	3.9 mi	4 of 5	(253) 588-1711
St Joseph Medical Center	Tacoma, WA	4.5 mi	3 of 5	(253) 627-4101

Straight-line miles from the center of University Place. 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 University Place

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 29% of the $6,871 monthly median income of University Place 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 University Place: common questions

How much does mobility assistance cost in University Place?

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 29% of the $6,871 monthly median income of University Place 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 University Place

More senior care near University Place

Mobility Assistance in nearby cities

Other care in University Place

More for University Place 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 University Place, WA