Senior Transportation in Des Moines, IA

Local figures

Senior Transportation in Des Moines, IA: the local picture

9.0%

of households have no vehicle (5.8% in Polk County)

1.2 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Des Moines)

27,045

residents 65 or older (13% of Des Moines)

36%

of residents 65+ report a disability (31% in Polk County)

About 8,080 Des Moines households, 9.0%, have no vehicle (5.8% in Polk 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 Des Moines: Unitypoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medi in Des Moines (1.2 mi); Mercyone Des Moines Medical Center in Des Moines (2.4 mi); Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines (2.4 mi). Distances are straight-line, so allow more on the road.

36% 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.

Des Moines compared with Polk County and Iowa

Census figure	Des Moines	Polk County	Iowa
Households with no vehicle	9.0%	5.8%	5.4%
Residents 65+ with a disability	36%	31%	30%
Residents 65 or older	13%	14%	18%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	40%	32%	31%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	11%	7.5%	8.4%
Residents 85 or older	1.6%	1.5%	2.3%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$48,181	$59,099	—

Older residents in towns around Des Moines

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Households with no car
Pleasant Hill, IA	5.7 mi	2,222	1.4%
Windsor Heights, IA	5.7 mi	985	1.4%
Carlisle, IA	7.1 mi	523	5.3%
Saylorville, IA	7.5 mi	705	4.3%
Norwalk, IA	7.6 mi	2,002	3.8%
Altoona, IA	8.6 mi	3,684	3.7%

Hospitals near Des Moines

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Unitypoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medi	Des Moines, IA	1.2 mi	3 of 5	(515) 343-1000
Mercyone Des Moines Medical Center	Des Moines, IA	2.4 mi	1 of 5	(515) 247-4436
Broadlawns Medical Center	Des Moines, IA	2.4 mi	3 of 5	(515) 282-2200
Va Central Iowa Healthcare System	Des Moines, IA	4.9 mi	4 of 5	(515) 699-5999

Straight-line miles from the center of Des Moines. 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 Des Moines

At the Iowa median aide wage of $17.34 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,503 a month in wages, which is 37% of the $4,015 monthly median income of Des Moines households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Iowa's minimum wage is $7.25 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 Des Moines: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Des Moines?

Unitypoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medi in Des Moines, about 1.2 mi in a straight line from the center of Des Moines (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (515) 343-1000. In an emergency, call 911.

How much does senior transportation cost in Des Moines?

At the Iowa median aide wage of $17.34 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,503 a month in wages, which is 37% of the $4,015 monthly median income of Des Moines households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Iowa's minimum wage is $7.25 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 Des Moines

More senior care near Des Moines

Senior Transportation in nearby cities

Other care in Des Moines

More for Des Moines 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 Des Moines, IA