Senior Transportation in Amherst Town, MA

Local figures

Senior Transportation in Amherst Town, MA: the local picture

15%

of households have no vehicle (7.4% in Hampshire County)

6.6 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Northampton)

3,875

residents 65 or older (10% of Amherst Town)

24%

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

About 1,409 Amherst Town households, 15%, have no vehicle (7.4% in Hampshire County). The Census figure covers all ages, but older adults who stop driving are a large part of it.

Hospitals with an emergency department near Amherst Town: Cooley Dickinson Hospital Inc,The in Northampton (6.6 mi); Holyoke Medical Center in Holyoke (13 mi); Baystate Wing Hospital in Palmer (16 mi). Distances are straight-line, so allow more on the road.

24% of residents 65 and older report a disability. If walking is hard, look for a caregiver who is comfortable with walkers and car transfers, not only a driver.

Amherst Town compared with Hampshire County and Massachusetts

Census figure	Amherst Town	Hampshire County	Massachusetts
Households with no vehicle	15%	7.4%	12%
Residents 65+ with a disability	24%	28%	30%
Residents 65 or older	10%	19%	18%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	29%	28%	29%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	4.2%	6.6%	11%
Residents 85 or older	1.0%	1.9%	2.2%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$97,722	$67,196	—

Older residents in towns around Amherst Town

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Households with no car
Northampton, MA	8.9 mi	6,331	10%
Easthampton, MA	11 mi	3,843	6.1%
Holyoke, MA	13 mi	7,606	19%
Chicopee, MA	13 mi	10,770	10%
Ware, MA	15 mi	1,106	11%
Palmer Town, MA	16 mi	2,587	6.3%

Hospitals near Amherst Town

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Cooley Dickinson Hospital Inc,The	Northampton, MA	6.6 mi	2 of 5	(413) 582-2000
Holyoke Medical Center	Holyoke, MA	13 mi	4 of 5	(413) 534-2500
Baystate Wing Hospital	Palmer, MA	16 mi	4 of 5	(413) 283-7651
Mercy Medical Ctr	Springfield, MA	17 mi	2 of 5	(413) 748-9000

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

What it covers

What a caregiver who drives can help with

Rides to doctor, dental and therapy appointments
Waiting during the appointment and taking notes
Grocery shopping, pharmacy and errands
Trips to church, the senior center and family

Cost

What senior transportation costs in Amherst Town

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 21% of the $8,144 monthly median income of Amherst Town 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 who drives

Giving up driving is a common reason older adults start to miss appointments and see fewer people. Before a caregiver drives, agree whose car is used, check that the auto insurance covers it, and agree a mileage rate in writing. The National Aging and Disability Transportation Center and the Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) can point you to free and low-cost ride programs.

Questions worth asking: May I see your license and proof of auto insurance? Will you drive your car or ours? How do you help someone with a walker in and out of the car? More in our senior transportation guide.

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

Questions

Senior Transportation in Amherst Town: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Amherst Town?

Cooley Dickinson Hospital Inc,The in Northampton, about 6.6 mi in a straight line from the center of Amherst Town (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (413) 582-2000. In an emergency, call 911.

How much does senior transportation cost in Amherst Town?

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 21% of the $8,144 monthly median income of Amherst Town 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).

Does Medicare pay for rides to appointments?

Original Medicare covers emergency ambulance trips, not routine rides. Medicaid covers non-emergency medical transportation for eligible members, and some Medicare Advantage plans include rides (Medicare.gov).

More near Amherst Town

More senior care near Amherst Town

Senior Transportation in nearby cities

Other care in Amherst Town

More for Amherst Town 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.

Senior Transportation and Escorted Rides in Amherst Town, MA