Senior Transportation in Palestine, TX

Local figures

Senior Transportation in Palestine, TX: the local picture

9.2%

of households have no vehicle (5.8% in Anderson County)

0.8 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Palestine)

2,907

residents 65 or older (15% of Palestine)

38%

of residents 65+ report a disability (39% in Anderson County)

About 619 Palestine households, 9.2%, have no vehicle (5.8% in Anderson 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 Palestine: Palestine Regional Medical Center in Palestine (0.8 mi); UT Health East Texas Jacksonville Hospital in Jacksonville (26 mi); Christus Mother Frances Hospital- Jacksonville in Jacksonville (26 mi). Distances are straight-line, so allow more on the road.

38% 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.

Palestine compared with Anderson County and Texas

Census figure	Palestine	Anderson County	Texas
Households with no vehicle	9.2%	5.8%	5.4%
Residents 65+ with a disability	38%	39%	35%
Residents 65 or older	15%	15%	13%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	43%	25%	25%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	12%	10%	12%
Residents 85 or older	1.4%	0.9%	1.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$44,281	$54,710	—

Older residents in towns around Palestine

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Households with no car
Jacksonville, TX	26 mi	1,988	12%
Shadybrook, TX	28 mi	540	0.4%
Rusk, TX	29 mi	676	9.0%
Fairfield, TX	31 mi	631	3.9%
Crockett, TX	32 mi	1,281	18%
Athens, TX	33 mi	2,563	12%

Hospitals near Palestine

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Palestine Regional Medical Center	Palestine, TX	0.8 mi	1 of 5	(903) 731-1000
UT Health East Texas Jacksonville Hospital	Jacksonville, TX	26 mi	not rated	(903) 541-5000
Christus Mother Frances Hospital- Jacksonville	Jacksonville, TX	26 mi	not rated	(903) 541-4500
Freestone Medical Center	Fairfield, TX	30 mi	not rated	(903) 389-1612

Straight-line miles from the center of Palestine. 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 Palestine

At the Texas median aide wage of $11.65 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,010 a month in wages, which is 27% of the $3,690 monthly median income of Palestine households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Texas'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 STAR+PLUS in Texas: using consumer directed services to pay a family caregiver.

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 Palestine: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Palestine?

Palestine Regional Medical Center in Palestine, about 0.8 mi in a straight line from the center of Palestine (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (903) 731-1000. In an emergency, call 911.

How much does senior transportation cost in Palestine?

At the Texas median aide wage of $11.65 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,010 a month in wages, which is 27% of the $3,690 monthly median income of Palestine households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Texas'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 Palestine

More senior care near Palestine

Senior Transportation in nearby cities

Other care in Palestine

More for Palestine 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 Palestine, TX