Senior Transportation in Portageville, MO

Local figures

Senior Transportation in Portageville, MO: the local picture

5.1%

of households have no vehicle (7.2% in New Madrid County)

14 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Hayti)

387

residents 65 or older (14% of Portageville)

49%

of residents 65+ report a disability (41% in New Madrid County)

About 61 Portageville households, 5.1%, have no vehicle (7.2% in New Madrid 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 Portageville: Pemiscot County Memorial Hospital in Hayti (14 mi); Piggott Community Hospital in Piggott (28 mi); Mercy Hospital Stoddard in Dexter (29 mi). Distances are straight-line, so allow more on the road.

49% 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.

Portageville compared with New Madrid County and Missouri

Census figure	Portageville	New Madrid County	Missouri
Households with no vehicle	5.1%	7.2%	6.6%
Residents 65+ with a disability	49%	41%	34%
Residents 65 or older	14%	20%	18%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	36%	34%	30%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	22%	14%	10%
Residents 85 or older	3.1%	2.8%	2.0%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$35,500	$43,274	—

Older residents in towns around Portageville

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Households with no car
Tiptonville, TN	13 mi	390	21%
New Madrid, MO	14 mi	560	3.0%
Caruthersville, MO	17 mi	894	12%
Malden, MO	20 mi	753	8.4%
Kennett, MO	23 mi	2,130	10%
Piggott, AR	28 mi	664	8.3%

Hospitals near Portageville

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Pemiscot County Memorial Hospital	Hayti, MO	14 mi	not rated	(573) 359-1372
Piggott Community Hospital	Piggott, AR	28 mi	3 of 5	(870) 598-3881
Mercy Hospital Stoddard	Dexter, MO	29 mi	2 of 5	(573) 624-5566
Dyersburg Regional Medical Center	Dyersburg, TN	32 mi	4 of 5	(731) 285-2410

Straight-line miles from the center of Portageville. 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 Portageville

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 47% of the $2,958 monthly median income of Portageville 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 Portageville: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Portageville?

Pemiscot County Memorial Hospital in Hayti, about 14 mi in a straight line from the center of Portageville (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (573) 359-1372. In an emergency, call 911.

How much does senior transportation cost in Portageville?

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 47% of the $2,958 monthly median income of Portageville 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 Portageville

More senior care near Portageville

Senior Transportation in nearby cities

Other care in Portageville

More for Portageville families

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year (small-place figures carry wide margins of error); 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 Portageville, MO