Senior Transportation in Clifton, TN: Rides With a Caregiver

Local figures

Senior Transportation in Clifton, TN: the local picture

2.3%

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

15 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Waynesboro)

321

residents 65 or older (12% of Clifton)

56%

of residents 65+ report a disability (39% in Wayne County)

About 10 Clifton households, 2.3%, have no vehicle (8.2% in Wayne 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 Clifton: Wayne Medical Center in Waynesboro (15 mi); Hardin Medical Center in Savannah (17 mi); Henderson County Community Hospital in Lexington (30 mi). Distances are straight-line, so allow more on the road.

56% 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.

Clifton compared with Wayne County and Tennessee

Census figure	Clifton	Wayne County	Tennessee
Households with no vehicle	2.3%	8.2%	5.2%
Residents 65+ with a disability	56%	39%	36%
Residents 65 or older	12%	20%	17%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	33%	34%	29%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	4.5%	23%	11%
Residents 85 or older	0.8%	1.2%	1.6%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$49,688	$32,045	—

Older residents in towns around Clifton

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Households with no car
Savannah, TN	17 mi	1,398	7.4%
Parsons, TN	20 mi	639	11%
Hohenwald, TN	27 mi	822	4.6%
Lexington, TN	28 mi	1,390	8.5%
Selmer, TN	37 mi	880	8.9%
Henderson, TN	38 mi	925	6.7%

Hospitals near Clifton

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Wayne Medical Center	Waynesboro, TN	15 mi	not rated	(931) 722-5411
Hardin Medical Center	Savannah, TN	17 mi	2 of 5	(731) 926-8121
Henderson County Community Hospital	Lexington, TN	30 mi	not rated	(731) 968-1801
Southern Tennessee Regional Health System Lawrence	Lawrenceburg, TN	37 mi	3 of 5	(931) 762-6571

Straight-line miles from the center of Clifton. 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 Clifton

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 32% of the $4,141 monthly median income of Clifton 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 Clifton: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Clifton?

Wayne Medical Center in Waynesboro, about 15 mi in a straight line from the center of Clifton (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (931) 722-5411. In an emergency, call 911.

How much does senior transportation cost in Clifton?

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 32% of the $4,141 monthly median income of Clifton 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 Clifton

More senior care near Clifton

Senior Transportation in nearby cities

Other care in Clifton

More for Clifton families

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year (small-place figures carry wide margins of error); 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 Clifton, TN