Senior Transportation in Dumas, AR: Rides With a Caregiver

Local figures

Senior Transportation in Dumas, AR: the local picture

18%

of households have no vehicle (15% in Desha County)

0.6 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Dumas)

842

residents 65 or older (22% of Dumas)

42%

of residents 65+ report a disability (51% in Desha County)

About 307 Dumas households, 18%, have no vehicle (15% in Desha 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 Dumas: Delta Memorial Hospital in Dumas (0.6 mi); Mcgehee Hospital in Mcgehee (18 mi); Baptist Health Medical Center-Drew County in Monticello (25 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.

Dumas compared with Desha County and Arkansas

Census figure	Dumas	Desha County	Arkansas
Households with no vehicle	18%	15%	5.9%
Residents 65+ with a disability	42%	51%	40%
Residents 65 or older	22%	20%	18%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	39%	39%	29%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	19%	21%	12%
Residents 85 or older	1.2%	1.8%	1.8%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$34,939	$31,798	—

Older residents in towns around Dumas

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Households with no car
McGehee, AR	18 mi	438	17%
Monticello, AR	25 mi	1,405	7.6%
DeWitt, AR	29 mi	530	12%
Pine Bluff, AR	38 mi	6,653	9.6%
Warren, AR	38 mi	804	11%
Stuttgart, AR	42 mi	1,315	11%

Hospitals near Dumas

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Delta Memorial Hospital	Dumas, AR	0.6 mi	not rated	(870) 382-4303
Mcgehee Hospital	Mcgehee, AR	18 mi	not rated	(870) 222-5600
Baptist Health Medical Center-Drew County	Monticello, AR	25 mi	2 of 5	(870) 367-2411
Dewitt Hospital & Nursing Home, Inc	De Witt, AR	29 mi	not rated	(870) 946-3571

Straight-line miles from the center of Dumas. 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 Dumas

At the Arkansas median aide wage of $13.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,153 a month in wages, which is 40% of the $2,912 monthly median income of Dumas households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Arkansas's minimum wage is $11.00 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 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 Dumas: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Dumas?

Delta Memorial Hospital in Dumas, about 0.6 mi in a straight line from the center of Dumas (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (870) 382-4303. In an emergency, call 911.

How much does senior transportation cost in Dumas?

At the Arkansas median aide wage of $13.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,153 a month in wages, which is 40% of the $2,912 monthly median income of Dumas households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Arkansas's minimum wage is $11.00 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 Dumas

More senior care near Dumas

Senior Transportation in nearby cities

Other care in Dumas

More for Dumas 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 Dumas, AR