Mobility Assistance in Waltham, MA: Help Walking & Transfers

Local figures

Mobility Assistance in Waltham, MA: the local picture

18%

of residents 65+ have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (16% in Middlesex County)

1,026

residents 85 or older (1.6% of all residents)

4.1 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Newton)

30%

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

About 1,821 Waltham residents 65 or older have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (18%; 16% in Middlesex County). That is the Census measure closest to needing mobility help.

1,026 residents are 85 or older. Ask any caregiver who will help with transfers how they were trained.

Home health agencies serving Waltham that list physical therapy include Central Home Health Care, Inc and Elara Caring; therapy at home needs a doctor’s order.

Waltham compared with Middlesex County and Massachusetts

Census figure	Waltham	Middlesex County	Massachusetts
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	18%	16%	18%
Residents 85 or older	1.6%	2.0%	2.2%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	8.4%	6.5%	7.2%
Residents 65+ with a disability	30%	28%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	32%	28%	29%
Households with no vehicle	8.6%	10%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$58,556	$78,342	—

Older residents in towns around Waltham

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Walking difficulty (65+)
Belmont, MA	3.2 mi	5,235	13%
Watertown, MA	3.5 mi	6,506	23%
Lexington, MA	3.9 mi	7,430	8.6%
Newton, MA	4.3 mi	17,046	14%
Arlington, MA	4.5 mi	8,030	14%
Wellesley, MA	6.1 mi	4,691	13%

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

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Central Home Health Care, Inc	Needham, MA	6.5 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides	(617) 559-0200
Elara Caring	Braintree, MA	18 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(617) 969-7517
Suburban Home Health Care, Inc	Boston, MA	8.3 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, home health aides	(617) 264-7100
All Care Vna-Greater Lynn Inc	Lynn, MA	16 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(781) 598-2454
Alternative Home Health Care, LLC	Methuen, MA	24 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(978) 657-7444
Mass General Brigham Home Care, Inc	Newton, MA	4.8 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(781) 290-4000

Emergency hospitals near Waltham

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Newton-Wellesley Hospital	Newton, MA	4.1 mi	5 of 5	(617) 243-6000
Boston Medical Center-Brighton	Brighton, MA	5.2 mi	3 of 5	(617) 789-3000

Straight-line miles from the center of Waltham. 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 Waltham

At the Massachusetts median aide wage of $19.67 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,705 a month in wages, which is 35% of the $4,880 monthly median income of Waltham households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Massachusetts's minimum wage is $15.00 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 Waltham: common questions

How much does mobility assistance cost in Waltham?

At the Massachusetts median aide wage of $19.67 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,705 a month in wages, which is 35% of the $4,880 monthly median income of Waltham households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Massachusetts's minimum wage is $15.00 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 Waltham

More senior care near Waltham

Mobility Assistance in nearby cities

Other care in Waltham

More for Waltham 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 Waltham, MA