Senior Transportation in Empire, MN: Rides With a Caregiver

Local figures

Senior Transportation in Empire, MN: the local picture

0.0%

of households have no vehicle (4.9% in Dakota County)

11 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Burnsville)

440

residents 65 or older (14% of Empire)

22%

of residents 65+ report a disability (26% in Dakota County)

About 0 Empire households, 0.0%, have no vehicle (4.9% in Dakota 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 Empire: M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital in Burnsville (11 mi); Northfield Hospital in Northfield (16 mi); Mayo Clinic Health System - Cannon Falls in Cannon Falls (17 mi). Distances are straight-line, so allow more on the road.

22% 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.

Empire compared with Dakota County and Minnesota

Census figure	Empire	Dakota County	Minnesota
Households with no vehicle	0.0%	4.9%	6.7%
Residents 65+ with a disability	22%	26%	28%
Residents 65 or older	14%	16%	17%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	11%	28%	30%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	0.2%	6.6%	8.8%
Residents 85 or older	1.4%	1.7%	2.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$106,944	$69,739	—

Older residents in towns around Empire

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Households with no car
Farmington, MN	4.0 mi	1,932	1.9%
Rosemount, MN	4.7 mi	3,813	2.3%
Apple Valley, MN	6.9 mi	9,553	5.3%
Lakeville, MN	7.8 mi	8,099	3.5%
Eagan, MN	10.0 mi	10,943	3.7%
Inver Grove Heights, MN	10 mi	6,440	4.9%

Hospitals near Empire

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital	Burnsville, MN	11 mi	4 of 5	(952) 892-2000
Northfield Hospital	Northfield, MN	16 mi	4 of 5	(507) 646-1004
Mayo Clinic Health System - Cannon Falls	Cannon Falls, MN	17 mi	not rated	(507) 263-6000
Minneapolis Va Medical Center	Minneapolis, MN	17 mi	5 of 5	(612) 725-2000

Straight-line miles from the center of Empire. 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 Empire

At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 18% of the $8,912 monthly median income of Empire households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 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 Empire: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Empire?

M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital in Burnsville, about 11 mi in a straight line from the center of Empire (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (952) 892-2000. In an emergency, call 911.

How much does senior transportation cost in Empire?

At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 18% of the $8,912 monthly median income of Empire households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 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 Empire

More senior care near Empire

Senior Transportation in nearby cities

Other care in Empire

More for Empire 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 Empire, MN