Senior Transportation in Malibu, CA: Rides With a Caregiver

Local figures

Senior Transportation in Malibu, CA: the local picture

2.2%

of households have no vehicle (8.9% in Los Angeles County)

14 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (West Hills)

3,311

residents 65 or older (32% of Malibu)

16%

of residents 65+ report a disability (34% in Los Angeles County)

About 97 Malibu households, 2.2%, have no vehicle (8.9% in Los Angeles 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 Malibu: UCLA West Valley Medical Center in West Hills (14 mi); Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center in Thousand Oaks (14 mi); Providence Cedars Sinai Tarzana Medical Center in Tarzana (16 mi). Distances are straight-line, so allow more on the road.

16% 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.

Malibu compared with Los Angeles County and California

Census figure	Malibu	Los Angeles County	California
Households with no vehicle	2.2%	8.9%	7.1%
Residents 65+ with a disability	16%	34%	33%
Residents 65 or older	32%	15%	16%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	24%	22%	23%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	11%	15%	12%
Residents 85 or older	3.0%	1.9%	1.9%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$136,985	$64,269	—

Older residents in towns around Malibu

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Households with no car
Pepperdine University, CA	3.1 mi	98	3.3%
Westlake Village, CA	8.3 mi	2,157	3.9%
Agoura Hills, CA	8.5 mi	3,775	0.4%
Calabasas, CA	9.2 mi	3,865	1.7%
Topanga, CA	10 mi	1,900	0.8%
Oak Park, CA	11 mi	2,187	1.8%

Hospitals near Malibu

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
UCLA West Valley Medical Center	West Hills, CA	14 mi	2 of 5	(818) 676-4000
Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center	Thousand Oaks, CA	14 mi	4 of 5	(805) 497-2727
Providence Cedars Sinai Tarzana Medical Center	Tarzana, CA	16 mi	3 of 5	(818) 881-0800
Santa Monica - UCLA Med Ctr & Orthopaedic Hospital	Santa Monica, CA	16 mi	5 of 5	(310) 319-4000

Straight-line miles from the center of Malibu. 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 Malibu

At the California minimum wage of $16.90 an hour (the May 2025 median aide wage, $16.50, is now below it), 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,465 a month in wages, which is 13% of the $11,415 monthly median income of Malibu households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. California's minimum wage is $16.90 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 How to get paid to care for a family member in California: IHSS, VA, Paid Family Leave.

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 Malibu: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Malibu?

UCLA West Valley Medical Center in West Hills, about 14 mi in a straight line from the center of Malibu (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (818) 676-4000. In an emergency, call 911.

How much does senior transportation cost in Malibu?

At the California minimum wage of $16.90 an hour (the May 2025 median aide wage, $16.50, is now below it), 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,465 a month in wages, which is 13% of the $11,415 monthly median income of Malibu households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. California's minimum wage is $16.90 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 Malibu

More senior care near Malibu

Senior Transportation in nearby cities

Other care in Malibu

More for Malibu 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 Malibu, CA