Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) for Home Care in Altoona, PA
Hands-on personal care at home from a certified nursing assistant, for families who want state-certified training. Post what you need in Altoona for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Nursing Assistants in Altoona, PA: the local picture
The nearest Medicare-certified nursing homes to Altoona are Midtown Oaks Health & Rehab Center in Altoona (0.6 mi), Hilltop Healthcare And Rehabilitation Center in Altoona (1.3 mi), Maybrook Hills Rehabilitation And Healthcare Cente in Altoona (1.4 mi). Nursing homes employ many of the area’s CNAs, and CNAs who want home care work often come from them.
Aides in Pennsylvania earn a median $14.14 an hour (BLS, May 2025, home health and personal care aides). Pennsylvania's minimum wage is $7.25 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).
Altoona has about 903 residents aged 85 or older, the group most likely to need hands-on help with bathing, transfers and toileting.
Altoona compared with Blair County and Pennsylvania
| Census figure | Altoona | Blair County | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 85 or older | 2.1% | 2.8% | 2.4% |
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 34% | 31% | 32% |
| Residents 65 or older | 18% | 21% | 19% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 40% | 35% | 30% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 12% | 11% | 9.9% |
| Households with no vehicle | 12% | 8.6% | 10% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $38,233 | $44,599 | — |
Older residents in towns around Altoona
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | Residents 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenwood, PA | 3.2 mi | 612 | 9 |
| Hollidaysburg, PA | 5.3 mi | 1,334 | 237 |
| Penn Farms, PA | 6.4 mi | 374 | 39 |
| Tyrone, PA | 14 mi | 1,094 | 132 |
| Ebensburg, PA | 17 mi | 842 | 177 |
| Huntingdon, PA | 21 mi | 1,335 | 171 |
Nursing homes near Altoona
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midtown Oaks Health & Rehab Center | Altoona, PA | 0.6 mi | 1 of 5 | 120 | (814) 946-2700 |
| Hilltop Healthcare And Rehabilitation Center | Altoona, PA | 1.3 mi | 2 of 5 | 133 | (814) 946-0471 |
| Maybrook Hills Rehabilitation And Healthcare Cente | Altoona, PA | 1.4 mi | 2 of 5 | 240 | (814) 944-0845 |
| Garvey Manor | Hollidaysburg, PA | 4.1 mi | 4 of 5 | 132 | (814) 695-5571 |
| Hollidaysburg Veterans Home | Hollidaysburg, PA | 5.0 mi | 2 of 5 | 257 | (814) 696-5356 |
| Lutheran Home At Hollidaysburg | Hollidaysburg, PA | 5.1 mi | 2 of 5 | 89 | (814) 696-4527 |
Home health agencies serving Altoona
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medi Home Health Agency | State College, PA | 34 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (814) 235-1048 |
| Upmc Home Healthcare Of Central Pennsylvania | Altoona, PA | 1.0 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (814) 946-5411 |
| Advantage Home Health Services, LLC | Altoona, PA | 1.0 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (814) 943-0222 |
| Allegheny Health Network Healthcare At Home Home Health | Canonsburg, PA | 94 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (724) 222-9906 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Altoona. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
What a nursing assistant can help with
- Bathing, dressing, grooming and toileting
- Safe transfers, repositioning and walking
- Help with eating and fluids
- Taking and noting vital signs if asked
What CNAs costs in Altoona
At the Pennsylvania median aide wage of $14.14 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,225 a month in wages, which is 38% of the $3,186 monthly median income of Altoona households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Pennsylvania's minimum wage is $7.25 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.
What to know before hiring a nursing assistant
To be certified, a nurse aide completes a state-approved training program of at least 75 hours, including 16 hours of supervised practical training, and passes a competency exam (42 CFR 483.152). The state then lists them on its nurse aide registry, which you can search online in most states.
Questions worth asking: Which state certified you, and is it current? Where have you worked as a CNA? Are you comfortable with lifts, catheters and incontinence care? More in our nursing assistants guide.
CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.
Nursing Assistants in Altoona: common questions
What nursing homes are near Altoona?
The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Midtown Oaks Health & Rehab Center in Altoona (0.6 mi, 1 of 5 overall); Hilltop Healthcare And Rehabilitation Center in Altoona (1.3 mi, 2 of 5 overall); Maybrook Hills Rehabilitation And Healthcare Cente in Altoona (1.4 mi, 2 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.
How much does CNAs cost in Altoona?
At the Pennsylvania median aide wage of $14.14 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,225 a month in wages, which is 38% of the $3,186 monthly median income of Altoona households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Pennsylvania's minimum wage is $7.25 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).
Can a CNA give medication?
Generally no. A CNA can remind someone to take medication. Giving medication is usually reserved for licensed nurses, or for aides with a separate state medication certification.
More senior care near Altoona
Nursing Assistants in nearby cities
- Nursing Assistants in Greenwood, PA
- Nursing Assistants in Hollidaysburg, PA
- Nursing Assistants in Penn Farms, PA
- Nursing Assistants in Tyrone, PA
- Nursing Assistants in Ebensburg, PA
- Nursing Assistants in Huntingdon, PA
- Nursing Assistants in Northern Cambria, PA
- Nursing Assistants in Nanty-Glo, PA
- Nursing Assistants in Stormstown, PA
- Nursing Assistants in Philipsburg, PA
- Nursing Assistants in Geistown, PA
- Nursing Assistants in Windber, PA
- Nursing Assistants in Belmont, PA
- Nursing Assistants in Johnstown, PA
- Nursing Assistants in Westmont, PA
- Nursing Assistants in Elim, PA
Other care in Altoona
- Companion Care in Altoona
- Dementia Care in Altoona
- Respite Care in Altoona
- Live-In Caregivers in Altoona
- Post-Surgery Care in Altoona
- Senior Transportation in Altoona
- Home Health Aides in Altoona
- Personal Care in Altoona
- Overnight Caregivers in Altoona
- 24-Hour Home Care in Altoona
- Mobility Assistance in Altoona
- Parkinson’s Care in Altoona
- Stroke Recovery Support in Altoona
- Disability Care for Adults in Altoona
- Hospice Support in Altoona
- Senior Meal Preparation in Altoona
- Senior Housekeeping in Altoona
- Medication Reminders in Altoona
- Veterans’ Home Care in Altoona
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.
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