Senior Transportation and Escorted Rides in Smiths Station, AL
Rides to appointments, shopping, the pharmacy and visits with a caregiver who stays with the person, not only a driver who drops them off. Post what you need in Smiths Station for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Senior Transportation in Smiths Station, AL: the local picture
About 80 Smiths Station households, 4.5%, have no vehicle (4.8% in Lee 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 Smiths Station: Jack Hughston Memorial Hospital in Phenix City (4.8 mi); Piedmont Columbus Regional Midtown in Columbus (7.8 mi); Martin Ach (Ft Benning) in Fort Benning (13 mi). Distances are straight-line, so allow more on the road.
48% 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.
Smiths Station compared with Lee County and Alabama
| Census figure | Smiths Station | Lee County | Alabama |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households with no vehicle | 4.5% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 48% | 34% | 38% |
| Residents 65 or older | 14% | 13% | 18% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 20% | 28% | 29% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 8.4% | 11% | 12% |
| Residents 85 or older | 1.3% | 1.2% | 1.7% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $52,000 | $56,745 | — |
Older residents in towns around Smiths Station
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | Households with no car |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ladonia, AL | 4.4 mi | 436 | 3.9% |
| Phenix City, AL | 6.2 mi | 4,957 | 8.6% |
| Columbus, GA | 13 mi | 30,092 | 11% |
| Opelika, AL | 19 mi | 6,049 | 8.4% |
| Valley, AL | 20 mi | 1,645 | 6.8% |
| Cusseta, GA | 22 mi | 397 | 3.0% |
Hospitals near Smiths Station
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Hughston Memorial Hospital | Phenix City, AL | 4.8 mi | 4 of 5 | (334) 732-3000 |
| Piedmont Columbus Regional Midtown | Columbus, GA | 7.8 mi | 2 of 5 | (706) 571-1000 |
| Martin Ach (Ft Benning) | Fort Benning, GA | 13 mi | not rated | (762) 408-2604 |
| The East Alabama Healthcare Authority | Opelika, AL | 18 mi | 3 of 5 | (334) 528-1300 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Smiths Station. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
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
What senior transportation costs in Smiths Station
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 27% of the $4,333 monthly median income of Smiths Station 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.
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.
Senior Transportation in Smiths Station: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Smiths Station?
Jack Hughston Memorial Hospital in Phenix City, about 4.8 mi in a straight line from the center of Smiths Station (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (334) 732-3000. In an emergency, call 911.
How much does senior transportation cost in Smiths Station?
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 27% of the $4,333 monthly median income of Smiths Station 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 senior care near Smiths Station
Senior Transportation in nearby cities
- Senior Transportation in Ladonia, AL
- Senior Transportation in Phenix City, AL
- Senior Transportation in Columbus, GA
- Senior Transportation in Opelika, AL
- Senior Transportation in Valley, AL
- Senior Transportation in Cusseta, GA
- Senior Transportation in Huguley, AL
- Senior Transportation in Auburn, AL
- Senior Transportation in Lanett, AL
- Senior Transportation in West Point, GA
- Senior Transportation in La Fayette, AL
- Senior Transportation in Tuskegee, AL
- Senior Transportation in LaGrange, GA
- Senior Transportation in Manchester, GA
- Senior Transportation in Eufaula, AL
- Senior Transportation in Dadeville, AL
Other care in Smiths Station
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.
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