Senior Transportation in De Soto, MO: Rides With a Caregiver

Local figures

Senior Transportation in De Soto, MO: the local picture

9.4%

of households have no vehicle (3.7% in Jefferson County)

12 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Crystal City)

1,115

residents 65 or older (17% of De Soto)

42%

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

About 244 De Soto households, 9.4%, have no vehicle (3.7% in Jefferson 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 De Soto: Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City (12 mi); Parkland Health Center - Bonne Terre in Bonne Terre (15 mi); Washington County Memorial Hospital in Potosi (20 mi). Distances are straight-line, so allow more on the road.

42% 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.

De Soto compared with Jefferson County and Missouri

Census figure	De Soto	Jefferson County	Missouri
Households with no vehicle	9.4%	3.7%	6.6%
Residents 65+ with a disability	42%	34%	34%
Residents 65 or older	17%	17%	18%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	39%	24%	30%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	13%	9.3%	10%
Residents 85 or older	1.0%	1.5%	2.0%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$36,619	$57,683	—

Older residents in towns around De Soto

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Households with no car
Hillsboro, MO	6.4 mi	393	4.0%
Festus, MO	9.8 mi	2,090	7.1%
Crystal City, MO	11 mi	961	5.3%
Herculaneum, MO	12 mi	814	5.8%
Pevely, MO	13 mi	811	9.5%
Bonne Terre, MO	15 mi	848	16%

Hospitals near De Soto

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Mercy Hospital Jefferson	Crystal City, MO	12 mi	4 of 5	(636) 933-1000
Parkland Health Center - Bonne Terre	Bonne Terre, MO	15 mi	not rated	(573) 358-1400
Washington County Memorial Hospital	Potosi, MO	20 mi	not rated	(573) 438-5451
Ssm St Clare Health Center	Fenton, MO	25 mi	4 of 5	(636) 496-2000

Straight-line miles from the center of De Soto. 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 De Soto

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 45% of the $3,052 monthly median income of De Soto 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 De Soto: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to De Soto?

Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City, about 12 mi in a straight line from the center of De Soto (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (636) 933-1000. In an emergency, call 911.

How much does senior transportation cost in De Soto?

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 45% of the $3,052 monthly median income of De Soto 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 De Soto

More senior care near De Soto

Senior Transportation in nearby cities

Other care in De Soto

More for De Soto 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 De Soto, MO