Senior Transportation in Buckhannon, WV

Local figures

Senior Transportation in Buckhannon, WV: the local picture

16%

of households have no vehicle (8.2% in Upshur County)

1.4 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Buckhannon)

717

residents 65 or older (14% of Buckhannon)

34%

of residents 65+ report a disability (36% in Upshur County)

About 304 Buckhannon households, 16%, have no vehicle (8.2% in Upshur 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 Buckhannon: St Joseph's Hospital Of Buckhannon, Inc in Buckhannon (1.4 mi); Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital Company in Weston (14 mi); Vandalia Health Broaddus Hospital in Philippi (15 mi). Distances are straight-line, so allow more on the road.

34% 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.

Buckhannon compared with Upshur County and West Virginia

Census figure	Buckhannon	Upshur County	West Virginia
Households with no vehicle	16%	8.2%	8.0%
Residents 65+ with a disability	34%	36%	39%
Residents 65 or older	14%	22%	21%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	37%	25%	30%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	14%	14%	12%
Residents 85 or older	1.3%	1.4%	2.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$54,722	$46,005	—

Older residents in towns around Buckhannon

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Households with no car
Weston, WV	13 mi	706	12%
Philippi, WV	14 mi	693	8.6%
Clarksburg, WV	20 mi	2,672	15%
Elkins, WV	21 mi	1,138	11%
Bridgeport, WV	21 mi	2,173	5.5%
Grafton, WV	27 mi	914	21%

Hospitals near Buckhannon

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
St Joseph's Hospital Of Buckhannon, Inc	Buckhannon, WV	1.4 mi	3 of 5	(304) 472-2000
Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital Company	Weston, WV	14 mi	1 of 5	(304) 269-8000
Vandalia Health Broaddus Hospital	Philippi, WV	15 mi	not rated	(304) 457-1760
United Hospital Center, Inc	Bridgeport, WV	21 mi	4 of 5	(681) 342-1000

Straight-line miles from the center of Buckhannon. 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 Buckhannon

At the West Virginia median aide wage of $13.47 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,167 a month in wages, which is 26% of the $4,560 monthly median income of Buckhannon households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. West Virginia's minimum wage is $8.75 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 How to get paid to care for a family member in West Virginia: ADW and Personal Options.

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 Buckhannon: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Buckhannon?

St Joseph's Hospital Of Buckhannon, Inc in Buckhannon, about 1.4 mi in a straight line from the center of Buckhannon (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (304) 472-2000. In an emergency, call 911.

How much does senior transportation cost in Buckhannon?

At the West Virginia median aide wage of $13.47 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,167 a month in wages, which is 26% of the $4,560 monthly median income of Buckhannon households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. West Virginia's minimum wage is $8.75 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 Buckhannon

More senior care near Buckhannon

Senior Transportation in nearby cities

Other care in Buckhannon

More for Buckhannon 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 Buckhannon, WV