Senior Transportation in Benton, IL: Rides With a Caregiver

Local figures

Senior Transportation in Benton, IL: the local picture

6.2%

of households have no vehicle (6.3% in Franklin County)

1.0 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Benton)

1,743

residents 65 or older (25% of Benton)

54%

of residents 65+ report a disability (44% in Franklin County)

About 186 Benton households, 6.2%, have no vehicle (6.3% in Franklin 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 Benton: Franklin Hospital in Benton (1.0 mi); Herrin Hospital in Herrin (16 mi); Marshall Browning Hospital in Du Quoin (17 mi). Distances are straight-line, so allow more on the road.

54% 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.

Benton compared with Franklin County and Illinois

Census figure	Benton	Franklin County	Illinois
Households with no vehicle	6.2%	6.3%	11%
Residents 65+ with a disability	54%	44%	32%
Residents 65 or older	25%	21%	17%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	36%	36%	30%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	9.6%	14%	10%
Residents 85 or older	1.7%	2.3%	2.0%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$35,912	$43,299	—

Older residents in towns around Benton

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Households with no car
West Frankfort, IL	7.9 mi	1,051	13%
Christopher, IL	7.9 mi	694	7.7%
Johnston City, IL	13 mi	556	3.9%
Herrin, IL	16 mi	2,336	5.2%
Du Quoin, IL	17 mi	1,071	15%
Marion, IL	19 mi	3,963	9.9%

Hospitals near Benton

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Franklin Hospital	Benton, IL	1.0 mi	not rated	(618) 439-3161
Herrin Hospital	Herrin, IL	16 mi	1 of 5	(618) 942-2171
Marshall Browning Hospital	Du Quoin, IL	17 mi	not rated	(618) 542-2146
Marion IL Va Medical Center	Marion, IL	20 mi	3 of 5	(618) 997-5311

Straight-line miles from the center of Benton. 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 Benton

At the Illinois median aide wage of $18.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,586 a month in wages, which is 53% of the $2,993 monthly median income of Benton households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Illinois'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 Benton: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Benton?

Franklin Hospital in Benton, about 1.0 mi in a straight line from the center of Benton (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (618) 439-3161. In an emergency, call 911.

How much does senior transportation cost in Benton?

At the Illinois median aide wage of $18.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,586 a month in wages, which is 53% of the $2,993 monthly median income of Benton households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Illinois'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 Benton

More senior care near Benton

Senior Transportation in nearby cities

Other care in Benton

More for Benton 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 Benton, IL