Senior Transportation in Forrest City, AR

Local figures

Senior Transportation in Forrest City, AR: the local picture

18%

of households have no vehicle (13% in St. Francis County)

0.4 mi

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

1,468

residents 65 or older (12% of Forrest City)

45%

of residents 65+ report a disability (43% in St. Francis County)

About 682 Forrest City households, 18%, have no vehicle (13% in St. Francis 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 Forrest City: Forrest City Medical Center in Forrest City (0.4 mi); Crossridge Community Hospital in Wynne (15 mi); Helena Regional Medical Center in Helena (35 mi). Distances are straight-line, so allow more on the road.

45% 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.

Forrest City compared with St. Francis County and Arkansas

Census figure	Forrest City	St. Francis County	Arkansas
Households with no vehicle	18%	13%	5.9%
Residents 65+ with a disability	45%	43%	40%
Residents 65 or older	12%	18%	18%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	42%	31%	29%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	25%	20%	12%
Residents 85 or older	1.2%	1.5%	1.8%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$27,889	$35,293	—

Older residents in towns around Forrest City

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Households with no car
Wynne, AR	15 mi	1,332	11%
Marianna, AR	17 mi	614	30%
Brinkley, AR	24 mi	648	19%
Helena-West Helena, AR	35 mi	1,622	21%
West Memphis, AR	35 mi	3,648	16%
Marion, AR	36 mi	1,714	2.5%

Hospitals near Forrest City

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Forrest City Medical Center	Forrest City, AR	0.4 mi	not rated	(870) 261-0000
Crossridge Community Hospital	Wynne, AR	15 mi	not rated	(870) 238-3300
Helena Regional Medical Center	Helena, AR	35 mi	not rated	(870) 338-5800
Baptist Memorial Hospital-Crittenden, Inc	West Memphis, AR	36 mi	not rated	(870) 394-7800

Straight-line miles from the center of Forrest City. 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 Forrest City

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 50% of the $2,324 monthly median income of Forrest City 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 Forrest City: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Forrest City?

Forrest City Medical Center in Forrest City, about 0.4 mi in a straight line from the center of Forrest City (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (870) 261-0000. In an emergency, call 911.

How much does senior transportation cost in Forrest City?

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 50% of the $2,324 monthly median income of Forrest City 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 Forrest City

More senior care near Forrest City

Senior Transportation in nearby cities

Other care in Forrest City

More for Forrest City 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 Forrest City, AR