In-Home Personal Care in Fitzgerald, GA

Local figures

Personal Care in Fitzgerald, GA: the local picture

4.8%

of residents 65+ have difficulty dressing or bathing (6.3% in Ben Hill County)

21%

of residents 65+ have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (19% in Ben Hill County)

116

residents 85 or older (1.3% of all residents)

4

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

About 67 Fitzgerald residents aged 65 or older have difficulty dressing or bathing (4.8%; 6.3% in Ben Hill County). The Census Bureau calls this a self-care difficulty, and it is what personal care is for.

289 have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (21%), so many personal care visits also mean help getting to the bathroom or shower safely.

116 of the 1,526 older residents are 85 or older; needs for hands-on help rise with age.

Fitzgerald compared with Ben Hill County and Georgia

Census figure	Fitzgerald	Ben Hill County	Georgia
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	4.8%	6.3%	7.2%
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	21%	19%	22%
Residents 85 or older	1.3%	1.5%	1.4%
Residents 65+ with a disability	33%	28%	34%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	36%	32%	26%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	21%	19%	11%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$28,519	$33,208	—

Older residents in towns around Fitzgerald

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Self-care difficulty (65+)
Ocilla, GA	7.9 mi	499	6.8%
Abbeville, GA	20 mi	349	11%
Tifton, GA	23 mi	2,845	6.4%
Ashburn, GA	24 mi	955	7.7%
Douglas, GA	27 mi	1,671	10%
McRae-Helena, GA	32 mi	1,115	3.1%

Home health agencies with aides serving Fitzgerald

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Amedisys Home Health	Tifton, GA	23 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(229) 386-0665
Pruitthealth @ Home - Vidalia	Vidalia, GA	60 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, home health aides	(912) 538-8000
Caresouth, An Affiliate Of Crisp Reg Hospital	Cordele, GA	35 mi	3 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(229) 271-4690
Pruitthealth @ Home - Valdosta	Valdosta, GA	57 mi	3 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(229) 247-4665

Straight-line miles from the center of Fitzgerald. 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 Fitzgerald

At the Georgia median aide wage of $14.07 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,219 a month in wages, which is 51% of the $2,377 monthly median income of Fitzgerald households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Georgia's state rate is lower than the federal one, so employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act pay at least the federal $7.25 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor).

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 Fitzgerald: common questions

How much does personal care cost in Fitzgerald?

At the Georgia median aide wage of $14.07 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,219 a month in wages, which is 51% of the $2,377 monthly median income of Fitzgerald households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Georgia's state rate is lower than the federal one, so employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act pay at least the federal $7.25 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor).

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 Fitzgerald

More senior care near Fitzgerald

Personal Care in nearby cities

Other care in Fitzgerald

More for Fitzgerald 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.