Senior Transportation in Roanoke, AL: Rides With a Caregiver

Local figures

Senior Transportation in Roanoke, AL: the local picture

9.9%

of households have no vehicle (4.4% in Randolph County)

12 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Wedowee)

1,295

residents 65 or older (24% of Roanoke)

46%

of residents 65+ report a disability (40% in Randolph County)

About 231 Roanoke households, 9.9%, have no vehicle (4.4% in Randolph 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 Roanoke: Tanner Medical Center-East Alabama in Wedowee (12 mi); Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center in Lagrange (19 mi); Eamc - Lanier in Valley (26 mi). Distances are straight-line, so allow more on the road.

46% 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.

Roanoke compared with Randolph County and Alabama

Census figure	Roanoke	Randolph County	Alabama
Households with no vehicle	9.9%	4.4%	5.4%
Residents 65+ with a disability	46%	40%	38%
Residents 65 or older	24%	22%	18%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	29%	28%	29%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	14%	17%	12%
Residents 85 or older	1.9%	2.0%	1.7%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$40,372	$37,976	—

Older residents in towns around Roanoke

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Households with no car
La Fayette, AL	17 mi	615	24%
LaGrange, GA	21 mi	4,747	14%
West Point, GA	22 mi	349	21%
Lanett, AL	22 mi	1,163	5.9%
Huguley, AL	22 mi	523	3.0%
Lineville, AL	25 mi	686	9.9%

Hospitals near Roanoke

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Tanner Medical Center-East Alabama	Wedowee, AL	12 mi	not rated	(256) 357-2111
Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center	Lagrange, GA	19 mi	5 of 5	(706) 882-1411
Eamc - Lanier	Valley, AL	26 mi	not rated	(334) 756-9180
Clay County Hospital	Ashland, AL	28 mi	not rated	(256) 354-2131

Straight-line miles from the center of Roanoke. 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 Roanoke

At the Alabama median aide wage of $13.39 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,160 a month in wages, which is 34% of the $3,364 monthly median income of Roanoke households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Alabama has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour applies to employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (U.S. Department of Labor).

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 Roanoke: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Roanoke?

Tanner Medical Center-East Alabama in Wedowee, about 12 mi in a straight line from the center of Roanoke (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (256) 357-2111. In an emergency, call 911.

How much does senior transportation cost in Roanoke?

At the Alabama median aide wage of $13.39 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,160 a month in wages, which is 34% of the $3,364 monthly median income of Roanoke households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Alabama has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour applies to employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (U.S. Department of Labor).

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 Roanoke

More senior care near Roanoke

Senior Transportation in nearby cities

Other care in Roanoke

More for Roanoke 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 Roanoke, AL