Senior Transportation in Poplar Bluff, MO

Local figures

Senior Transportation in Poplar Bluff, MO: the local picture

14%

of households have no vehicle (8.3% in Butler County)

0.3 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Poplar Bluff)

3,268

residents 65 or older (20% of Poplar Bluff)

51%

of residents 65+ report a disability (46% in Butler County)

About 914 Poplar Bluff households, 14%, have no vehicle (8.3% in Butler 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 Poplar Bluff: Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff (0.3 mi); Mercy Hospital Stoddard in Dexter (25 mi); Piggott Community Hospital in Piggott (29 mi). Distances are straight-line, so allow more on the road.

51% 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.

Poplar Bluff compared with Butler County and Missouri

Census figure	Poplar Bluff	Butler County	Missouri
Households with no vehicle	14%	8.3%	6.6%
Residents 65+ with a disability	51%	46%	34%
Residents 65 or older	20%	19%	18%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	39%	36%	30%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	18%	16%	10%
Residents 85 or older	1.9%	2.0%	2.0%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$29,313	$36,708	—

Older residents in towns around Poplar Bluff

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Households with no car
Dexter, MO	25 mi	1,646	4.1%
Malden, MO	26 mi	753	8.4%
Corning, AR	26 mi	758	5.5%
Piggott, AR	29 mi	664	8.3%
Piedmont, MO	31 mi	501	11%
Kennett, MO	41 mi	2,130	10%

Hospitals near Poplar Bluff

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center	Poplar Bluff, MO	0.3 mi	2 of 5	(573) 785-7721
Mercy Hospital Stoddard	Dexter, MO	25 mi	2 of 5	(573) 624-5566
Piggott Community Hospital	Piggott, AR	29 mi	3 of 5	(870) 598-3881

Straight-line miles from the center of Poplar Bluff. 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 Poplar Bluff

At the Missouri median aide wage of $15.90 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,378 a month in wages, which is 56% of the $2,443 monthly median income of Poplar Bluff households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Missouri's minimum wage is $15.00 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 Consumer Directed Services in Missouri: how a relative becomes a paid 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 Poplar Bluff: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Poplar Bluff?

Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, about 0.3 mi in a straight line from the center of Poplar Bluff (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (573) 785-7721. In an emergency, call 911.

How much does senior transportation cost in Poplar Bluff?

At the Missouri median aide wage of $15.90 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,378 a month in wages, which is 56% of the $2,443 monthly median income of Poplar Bluff households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Missouri's minimum wage is $15.00 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 Poplar Bluff

More senior care near Poplar Bluff

Senior Transportation in nearby cities

Other care in Poplar Bluff

More for Poplar Bluff 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 Poplar Bluff, MO