Senior Transportation in Oak Park Heights, MN

Local figures

Senior Transportation in Oak Park Heights, MN: the local picture

17%

of households have no vehicle (3.8% in Washington County)

2.7 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Stillwater)

1,489

residents 65 or older (31% of Oak Park Heights)

54%

of residents 65+ report a disability (27% in Washington County)

About 364 Oak Park Heights households, 17%, have no vehicle (3.8% in Washington 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 Oak Park Heights: Lakeview Memorial Hospital in Stillwater (2.7 mi); Hudson Hospital in Hudson (5.3 mi); M Health Fairview Woodwinds Hospital in Woodbury (10 mi). Distances are straight-line, so allow more on the road.

54% 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.

Oak Park Heights compared with Washington County and Minnesota

Census figure	Oak Park Heights	Washington County	Minnesota
Households with no vehicle	17%	3.8%	6.7%
Residents 65+ with a disability	54%	27%	28%
Residents 65 or older	31%	17%	17%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	55%	26%	30%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	11%	6.7%	8.8%
Residents 85 or older	11%	1.8%	2.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$41,860	$75,658	—

Older residents in towns around Oak Park Heights

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Households with no car
Bayport, MN	2.0 mi	497	3.9%
Stillwater, MN	2.0 mi	3,840	3.0%
North Hudson, WI	3.7 mi	686	0.0%
Lake Elmo, MN	5.8 mi	2,217	3.9%
Grant, MN	6.0 mi	757	5.5%
Hudson, WI	6.2 mi	2,918	4.6%

Hospitals near Oak Park Heights

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Lakeview Memorial Hospital	Stillwater, MN	2.7 mi	4 of 5	(651) 430-4509
Hudson Hospital	Hudson, WI	5.3 mi	5 of 5	(715) 531-6000
M Health Fairview Woodwinds Hospital	Woodbury, MN	10 mi	4 of 5	(651) 232-2185
M Health Fairview St John's Hospital	Maplewood, MN	11 mi	5 of 5	(651) 232-7000

Straight-line miles from the center of Oak Park Heights. 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 Oak Park Heights

At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 46% of the $3,488 monthly median income of Oak Park Heights households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 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 Oak Park Heights: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Oak Park Heights?

Lakeview Memorial Hospital in Stillwater, about 2.7 mi in a straight line from the center of Oak Park Heights (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (651) 430-4509. In an emergency, call 911.

How much does senior transportation cost in Oak Park Heights?

At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 46% of the $3,488 monthly median income of Oak Park Heights households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 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 Oak Park Heights

More senior care near Oak Park Heights

Senior Transportation in nearby cities

Other care in Oak Park Heights

More for Oak Park Heights 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 Oak Park Heights, MN