Senior Transportation in Athens, TN: Rides With a Caregiver

Local figures

Senior Transportation in Athens, TN: the local picture

4.9%

of households have no vehicle (4.2% in McMinn County)

1.2 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Athens)

2,590

residents 65 or older (18% of Athens)

41%

of residents 65+ report a disability (40% in McMinn County)

About 288 Athens households, 4.9%, have no vehicle (4.2% in McMinn 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 Athens: Starr Regional Medical Center Athens in Athens (1.2 mi); Sweetwater Hospital Association in Sweetwater (13 mi); Rhea Medical Center in Dayton (23 mi). Distances are straight-line, so allow more on the road.

41% 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.

Athens compared with McMinn County and Tennessee

Census figure	Athens	McMinn County	Tennessee
Households with no vehicle	4.9%	4.2%	5.2%
Residents 65+ with a disability	41%	40%	36%
Residents 65 or older	18%	20%	17%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	40%	24%	29%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	11%	9.9%	11%
Residents 85 or older	2.7%	1.9%	1.6%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$43,710	$44,304	—

Older residents in towns around Athens

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Households with no car
Etowah, TN	9.3 mi	842	5.4%
Sweetwater, TN	12 mi	1,620	9.2%
Madisonville, TN	14 mi	1,164	7.2%
Dayton, TN	23 mi	1,465	11%
Hopewell, TN	23 mi	436	1.5%
Loudon, TN	24 mi	1,354	11%

Hospitals near Athens

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Starr Regional Medical Center Athens	Athens, TN	1.2 mi	3 of 5	(423) 745-1411
Sweetwater Hospital Association	Sweetwater, TN	13 mi	1 of 5	(865) 213-8200
Rhea Medical Center	Dayton, TN	23 mi	2 of 5	(423) 775-1121
Affiliate Of Vitruvian Health	Cleveland, TN	27 mi	2 of 5	(423) 339-4100

Straight-line miles from the center of Athens. 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 Athens

At the Tennessee median aide wage of $15.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,339 a month in wages, which is 37% of the $3,643 monthly median income of Athens households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Tennessee has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour applies to employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (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 TennCare CHOICES: how to get paid to care for a family member in Tennessee.

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 Athens: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Athens?

Starr Regional Medical Center Athens in Athens, about 1.2 mi in a straight line from the center of Athens (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (423) 745-1411. In an emergency, call 911.

How much does senior transportation cost in Athens?

At the Tennessee median aide wage of $15.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,339 a month in wages, which is 37% of the $3,643 monthly median income of Athens households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Tennessee has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour applies to employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (U.S. Department of Labor).

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 Athens

More senior care near Athens

Senior Transportation in nearby cities

Other care in Athens

More for Athens 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 Athens, TN