Senior Transportation in Little River, SC

Local figures

Senior Transportation in Little River, SC: the local picture

2.9%

of households have no vehicle (4.8% in Horry County)

13 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Myrtle Beach)

4,972

residents 65 or older (42% of Little River)

31%

of residents 65+ report a disability (32% in Horry County)

About 171 Little River households, 2.9%, have no vehicle (4.8% in Horry 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 Little River: Grand Strand Regional Medical Center in Myrtle Beach (13 mi); Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center in Supply (23 mi); Conway Medical Center in Conway (24 mi). Distances are straight-line, so allow more on the road.

31% 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.

Little River compared with Horry County and South Carolina

Census figure	Little River	Horry County	South Carolina
Households with no vehicle	2.9%	4.8%	5.7%
Residents 65+ with a disability	31%	32%	33%
Residents 65 or older	42%	26%	19%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	24%	23%	27%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	7.6%	8.4%	11%
Residents 85 or older	1.9%	1.8%	1.8%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$59,569	$57,399	—

Older residents in towns around Little River

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Households with no car
Carolina Shores, NC	4.3 mi	2,554	4.1%
North Myrtle Beach, SC	5.4 mi	8,266	5.1%
Sunset Beach, NC	7.7 mi	2,599	1.1%
Shallotte, NC	16 mi	1,100	6.2%
Carolina Forest, SC	18 mi	4,807	2.8%
Myrtle Beach, SC	18 mi	9,079	8.9%

Hospitals near Little River

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Grand Strand Regional Medical Center	Myrtle Beach, SC	13 mi	2 of 5	(843) 692-1000
Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center	Supply, NC	23 mi	4 of 5	(910) 755-8121
Conway Medical Center	Conway, SC	24 mi	2 of 5	(843) 347-8037
Lighthouse Behavioral Health Hospital	Conway, SC	24 mi	not rated	(843) 347-8871

Straight-line miles from the center of Little River. 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 Little River

At the South Carolina median aide wage of $14.48 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,255 a month in wages, which is 25% of the $4,964 monthly median income of Little River households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. South Carolina has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour applies to employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (U.S. Department of Labor).

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 Little River: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Little River?

Grand Strand Regional Medical Center in Myrtle Beach, about 13 mi in a straight line from the center of Little River (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (843) 692-1000. In an emergency, call 911.

How much does senior transportation cost in Little River?

At the South Carolina median aide wage of $14.48 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,255 a month in wages, which is 25% of the $4,964 monthly median income of Little River households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. South Carolina has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour applies to employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (U.S. Department of Labor).

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 Little River

More senior care near Little River

Senior Transportation in nearby cities

Other care in Little River

More for Little River 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 Little River, SC