Senior Transportation in Ettrick, VA: Rides With a Caregiver

Local figures

Senior Transportation in Ettrick, VA: the local picture

11%

of households have no vehicle (6.8% in Colonial Heights city)

5.2 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Petersburg)

732

residents 65 or older (12% of Ettrick)

36%

of residents 65+ report a disability (37% in Colonial Heights city)

About 188 Ettrick households, 11%, have no vehicle (6.8% in Colonial Heights city). The Census figure covers all ages, but older adults who stop driving are a large part of it.

Hospitals with an emergency department near Ettrick: Bon Secours Southside Medical Center in Petersburg (5.2 mi); John Randolph Medical Center in Hopewell (8.0 mi); Henrico Doctors' Hospital in Richmond (15 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.

Ettrick compared with Colonial Heights city and Virginia

Census figure	Ettrick	Colonial Heights city	Virginia
Households with no vehicle	11%	6.8%	6.1%
Residents 65+ with a disability	36%	37%	31%
Residents 65 or older	12%	18%	17%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	19%	36%	27%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	18%	5.3%	8.8%
Residents 85 or older	1.9%	2.7%	1.7%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$37,399	$60,947	—

Older residents in towns around Ettrick

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Households with no car
Colonial Heights, VA	2.1 mi	3,364	6.8%
Matoaca, VA	2.3 mi	296	7.8%
Petersburg, VA	3.6 mi	5,634	15%
Fort Lee, VA	5.5 mi	17	5.3%
Chester, VA	7.2 mi	3,685	4.1%
Hopewell, VA	7.9 mi	3,464	12%

Hospitals near Ettrick

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Bon Secours Southside Medical Center	Petersburg, VA	5.2 mi	2 of 5	(804) 765-5000
John Randolph Medical Center	Hopewell, VA	8.0 mi	3 of 5	(804) 541-1600
Henrico Doctors' Hospital	Richmond, VA	15 mi	4 of 5	(804) 289-4500
Cjw Medical Center	Richmond, VA	19 mi	4 of 5	(804) 483-0000

Straight-line miles from the center of Ettrick. 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 Ettrick

At the Virginia median aide wage of $14.57 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,263 a month in wages, which is 41% of the $3,117 monthly median income of Ettrick households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Virginia's minimum wage is $12.77 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 care in Virginia: how relatives are paid to give care through CCC Plus.

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 Ettrick: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Ettrick?

Bon Secours Southside Medical Center in Petersburg, about 5.2 mi in a straight line from the center of Ettrick (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (804) 765-5000. In an emergency, call 911.

How much does senior transportation cost in Ettrick?

At the Virginia median aide wage of $14.57 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,263 a month in wages, which is 41% of the $3,117 monthly median income of Ettrick households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Virginia's minimum wage is $12.77 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 Ettrick

More senior care near Ettrick

Senior Transportation in nearby cities

Other care in Ettrick

More for Ettrick 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 Ettrick, VA