Oakland, New Jersey

Senior Transportation and Escorted Rides in Oakland, NJ

Rides to appointments, shopping, the pharmacy and visits with a caregiver who stays with the person, not only a driver who drops them off. Post what you need in Oakland for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.

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Local figures

Senior Transportation in Oakland, NJ: the local picture

3.7%
of households have no vehicle (7.5% in Bergen County)
5.5 mi
to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Pompton Plains)
2,235
residents 65 or older (18% of Oakland)
23%
of residents 65+ report a disability (26% in Bergen County)

About 165 Oakland households, 3.7%, have no vehicle (7.5% in Bergen 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 Oakland: Chilton Medical Center in Pompton Plains (5.5 mi); Good Samaritan Hospital Of Suffern in Suffern (8.5 mi); Valley Hospital in Paramus (11 mi). Distances are straight-line, so allow more on the road.

23% 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.

Oakland compared with Bergen County and New Jersey

Census figureOaklandBergen CountyNew Jersey
Households with no vehicle3.7%7.5%11%
Residents 65+ with a disability23%26%30%
Residents 65 or older18%18%17%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone25%24%27%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)3.3%8.4%9.7%
Residents 85 or older2.1%2.5%2.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+$109,167$82,484—

Older residents in towns around Oakland

TownDistanceResidents 65+Households with no car
Franklin Lakes, NJ2.4 mi2,3801.3%
Pines Lake, NJ2.5 mi8561.2%
Wanaque, NJ2.6 mi2,6173.2%
Pompton Lakes, NJ3.1 mi1,8122.5%
Riverdale, NJ4.6 mi9333.4%
Bloomingdale, NJ5.0 mi1,3003.4%

Hospitals near Oakland

Hospital with an emergency departmentTownDistanceCMS overall ratingPhone
Chilton Medical CenterPompton Plains, NJ5.5 mi5 of 5(973) 831-5000
Good Samaritan Hospital Of SuffernSuffern, NY8.5 mi3 of 5(914) 368-5000
Valley HospitalParamus, NJ11 mi4 of 5(201) 447-8000
Bergen New Bridge Medical CenterParamus, NJ11 minot rated(201) 967-4000

Straight-line miles from the center of Oakland. 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 Oakland

At the New Jersey median aide wage of $17.83 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,545 a month in wages, which is 17% of the $9,097 monthly median income of Oakland households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. New Jersey's minimum wage is $15.92 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 Oakland: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Oakland?

Chilton Medical Center in Pompton Plains, about 5.5 mi in a straight line from the center of Oakland (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (973) 831-5000. In an emergency, call 911.

How much does senior transportation cost in Oakland?

At the New Jersey median aide wage of $17.83 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,545 a month in wages, which is 17% of the $9,097 monthly median income of Oakland households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. New Jersey's minimum wage is $15.92 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).

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.

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