Senior Transportation in Jefferson, IA

Local figures

Senior Transportation in Jefferson, IA: the local picture

4.1%

of households have no vehicle (3.2% in Greene County)

0.8 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Jefferson)

1,307

residents 65 or older (31% of Jefferson)

40%

of residents 65+ report a disability (37% in Greene County)

About 85 Jefferson households, 4.1%, have no vehicle (3.2% in Greene 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 Jefferson: Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson (0.8 mi); Dallas County Hospital in Perry (19 mi); Guthrie County Hospital in Guthrie Center (24 mi). Distances are straight-line, so allow more on the road.

40% 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.

Jefferson compared with Greene County and Iowa

Census figure	Jefferson	Greene County	Iowa
Households with no vehicle	4.1%	3.2%	5.4%
Residents 65+ with a disability	40%	37%	30%
Residents 65 or older	31%	24%	18%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	37%	33%	31%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	12%	11%	8.4%
Residents 85 or older	5.6%	3.3%	2.3%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$42,500	$46,319	—

Older residents in towns around Jefferson

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Households with no car
Perry, IA	19 mi	1,200	7.1%
Carroll, IA	25 mi	2,456	5.6%
Boone, IA	26 mi	2,272	6.9%
Madrid, IA	30 mi	566	2.2%
Adel, IA	34 mi	792	5.6%
Fort Dodge, IA	36 mi	4,713	8.6%

Hospitals near Jefferson

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Greene County Medical Center	Jefferson, IA	0.8 mi	not rated	(515) 386-2114
Dallas County Hospital	Perry, IA	19 mi	not rated	(515) 465-3547
Guthrie County Hospital	Guthrie Center, IA	24 mi	not rated	(641) 747-2201
St Anthony Regional Hospital & Nursing Home	Carroll, IA	25 mi	2 of 5	(712) 792-3581

Straight-line miles from the center of Jefferson. 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 Jefferson

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 42% of the $3,542 monthly median income of Jefferson 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 Jefferson: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Jefferson?

Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson, about 0.8 mi in a straight line from the center of Jefferson (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (515) 386-2114. In an emergency, call 911.

How much does senior transportation cost in Jefferson?

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 42% of the $3,542 monthly median income of Jefferson 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 Jefferson

More senior care near Jefferson

Senior Transportation in nearby cities

Other care in Jefferson

More for Jefferson 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 Jefferson, IA