Senior Transportation in Bowling Green, MO

Local figures

Senior Transportation in Bowling Green, MO: the local picture

11%

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

9.5 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Louisiana)

636

residents 65 or older (15% of Bowling Green)

46%

of residents 65+ report a disability (34% in Pike County)

About 148 Bowling Green households, 11%, have no vehicle (7.4% in Pike 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 Bowling Green: Pike County Memorial Hospital in Louisiana (9.5 mi); Hannibal Regional Hospital in Hannibal (27 mi); Mercy Hospital Lincoln in Troy (27 mi). Distances are straight-line, so allow more on the road.

46% 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.

Bowling Green compared with Pike County and Missouri

Census figure	Bowling Green	Pike County	Missouri
Households with no vehicle	11%	7.4%	6.6%
Residents 65+ with a disability	46%	34%	34%
Residents 65 or older	15%	19%	18%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	28%	28%	30%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	18%	14%	10%
Residents 85 or older	2.1%	2.0%	2.0%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$52,969	$41,649	—

Older residents in towns around Bowling Green

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Households with no car
Louisiana, MO	10 mi	669	11%
Vandalia, MO	16 mi	467	4.3%
Hannibal, MO	27 mi	3,298	9.9%
Pittsfield, IL	27 mi	1,079	3.4%
Troy, MO	29 mi	2,050	6.3%
Montgomery City, MO	30 mi	392	4.1%

Hospitals near Bowling Green

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Pike County Memorial Hospital	Louisiana, MO	9.5 mi	not rated	(573) 754-5531
Hannibal Regional Hospital	Hannibal, MO	27 mi	2 of 5	(573) 248-1300
Mercy Hospital Lincoln	Troy, MO	27 mi	not rated	(636) 528-8551
Illini Community Hospital	Pittsfield, IL	28 mi	3 of 5	(217) 285-2113

Straight-line miles from the center of Bowling Green. 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 Bowling Green

At the Missouri median aide wage of $15.90 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,378 a month in wages, which is 31% of the $4,414 monthly median income of Bowling Green households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Missouri'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 Consumer Directed Services in Missouri: how a relative becomes a paid caregiver.

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 Bowling Green: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Bowling Green?

Pike County Memorial Hospital in Louisiana, about 9.5 mi in a straight line from the center of Bowling Green (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (573) 754-5531. In an emergency, call 911.

How much does senior transportation cost in Bowling Green?

At the Missouri median aide wage of $15.90 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,378 a month in wages, which is 31% of the $4,414 monthly median income of Bowling Green households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Missouri'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 Bowling Green

More senior care near Bowling Green

Senior Transportation in nearby cities

Other care in Bowling Green

More for Bowling Green 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 Bowling Green, MO