In-Home Personal Care in Bellingham, WA

Local figures

Personal Care in Bellingham, WA: the local picture

5.7%

of residents 65+ have difficulty dressing or bathing (6.6% in Whatcom County)

16%

of residents 65+ have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (17% in Whatcom County)

1,758

residents 85 or older (1.9% of all residents)

6

Medicare-certified home health agencies list Bellingham ZIP codes in their service area

About 849 Bellingham residents aged 65 or older have difficulty dressing or bathing (5.7%; 6.6% in Whatcom County). The Census Bureau calls this a self-care difficulty, and it is what personal care is for.

2,389 have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (16%), so many personal care visits also mean help getting to the bathroom or shower safely.

1,758 of the 15,407 older residents are 85 or older; needs for hands-on help rise with age.

Bellingham compared with Whatcom County and Washington

Census figure	Bellingham	Whatcom County	Washington
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	5.7%	6.6%	7.1%
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	16%	17%	20%
Residents 85 or older	1.9%	1.7%	1.8%
Residents 65+ with a disability	29%	30%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	40%	29%	26%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	9.8%	8.5%	8.9%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$58,801	$63,400	—

Older residents in towns around Bellingham

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Self-care difficulty (65+)
Marietta-Alderwood, WA	4.6 mi	836	2.6%
Sudden Valley, WA	6.1 mi	1,581	7.8%
Ferndale, WA	8.8 mi	2,516	8.0%
Everson, WA	12 mi	447	15%
Lynden, WA	14 mi	2,947	8.0%
Birch Bay, WA	17 mi	2,626	3.5%

Home health agencies with aides serving Bellingham

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Alpha Home Health	Everett, WA	61 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(360) 299-1302
Peacehealth Southwest Home Health	Vancouver, WA	215 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(360) 759-1500
Eden Home Health	Bellingham, WA	3.2 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(360) 734-5410
Peacehealth Home Health Of Whatcom County	Bellingham, WA	0.9 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(360) 788-8143
Signature Healthcare At Home	Bellingham, WA	3.2 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(866) 390-3869
Alpha Home Health, King County	Everett, WA	61 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(206) 452-0058

Straight-line miles from the center of Bellingham. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a personal care aide can help with

Bathing or showering, with a shower chair if needed
Dressing and undressing
Toileting and incontinence care
Grooming: hair, shaving and oral care

Cost

What personal care costs in Bellingham

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 41% of the $4,900 monthly median income of Bellingham 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 personal care aide

The Census Bureau asks whether a person has difficulty dressing or bathing, which it calls a self-care difficulty; it is the clearest sign that someone needs personal care. Medicare does not pay for personal care when it is the only care needed (Medicare.gov), but many state Medicaid programs do for people who qualify.

Questions worth asking: How do you protect a client’s dignity during bathing and toileting? Are you trained in safe transfers? Can you keep the same morning or evening hours each day? More in our personal care guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Personal Care in Bellingham: common questions

How much does personal care cost in Bellingham?

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 41% of the $4,900 monthly median income of Bellingham 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 is the difference between personal care and companion care?

Companion care is company and help around the house. Personal care is hands-on help with the body: bathing, dressing, toileting and grooming. Many caregivers offer both; say in your posting which you need.

More near Bellingham

More senior care near Bellingham

Personal Care in nearby cities

Other care in Bellingham

More for Bellingham 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.