Senior Transportation in Prairie du Chien, WI

Local figures

Senior Transportation in Prairie du Chien, WI: the local picture

7.9%

of households have no vehicle (6.0% in Crawford County)

0.8 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Prairie Du Chien)

1,374

residents 65 or older (25% of Prairie du Chien)

33%

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

About 173 Prairie du Chien households, 7.9%, have no vehicle (6.0% in Crawford 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 Prairie du Chien: Crossing Rivers Health Medical Center in Prairie Du Chien (0.8 mi); Mercyone Elkader Medical Center in Elkader (19 mi); Guttenberg Municipal Hospital in Guttenberg (20 mi). Distances are straight-line, so allow more on the road.

33% 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.

Prairie du Chien compared with Crawford County and Wisconsin

Census figure	Prairie du Chien	Crawford County	Wisconsin
Households with no vehicle	7.9%	6.0%	6.4%
Residents 65+ with a disability	33%	27%	28%
Residents 65 or older	25%	25%	19%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	30%	28%	30%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	8.1%	9.9%	9.1%
Residents 85 or older	4.1%	2.5%	2.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$42,083	$48,045	—

Older residents in towns around Prairie du Chien

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Households with no car
Postville, IA	22 mi	310	6.6%
Boscobel, WI	23 mi	533	2.8%
Waukon, IA	23 mi	1,054	4.5%
Fennimore, WI	25 mi	468	1.3%
Lancaster, WI	26 mi	935	4.2%
Decorah, IA	37 mi	1,807	7.9%

Hospitals near Prairie du Chien

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Crossing Rivers Health Medical Center	Prairie Du Chien, WI	0.8 mi	3 of 5	(608) 357-2000
Mercyone Elkader Medical Center	Elkader, IA	19 mi	not rated	(563) 245-7000
Guttenberg Municipal Hospital	Guttenberg, IA	20 mi	not rated	(563) 252-1121
Gundersen Boscobel Area Hospital And Clinics	Boscobel, WI	23 mi	not rated	(608) 375-4112

Straight-line miles from the center of Prairie du Chien. 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 Prairie du Chien

At the Wisconsin median aide wage of $17.47 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,514 a month in wages, which is 43% of the $3,507 monthly median income of Prairie du Chien households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Wisconsin'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 IRIS in Wisconsin: how a family member gets paid as a 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 Prairie du Chien: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Prairie du Chien?

Crossing Rivers Health Medical Center in Prairie Du Chien, about 0.8 mi in a straight line from the center of Prairie du Chien (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (608) 357-2000. In an emergency, call 911.

How much does senior transportation cost in Prairie du Chien?

At the Wisconsin median aide wage of $17.47 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,514 a month in wages, which is 43% of the $3,507 monthly median income of Prairie du Chien households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Wisconsin'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 Prairie du Chien

More senior care near Prairie du Chien

Senior Transportation in nearby cities

Other care in Prairie du Chien

More for Prairie du Chien 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 Prairie du Chien, WI