Senior Transportation in St. Marys, KS

Local figures

Senior Transportation in St. Marys, KS: the local picture

3.0%

of households have no vehicle (1.7% in Pottawatomie County)

14 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Wamego)

342

residents 65 or older (12% of St. Marys)

29%

of residents 65+ report a disability (30% in Pottawatomie County)

About 27 St. Marys households, 3.0%, have no vehicle (1.7% in Pottawatomie 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 St. Marys: Wamego Health Center in Wamego (14 mi); Va Eastern Kansas Healthcare System in Topeka (19 mi); Community Hospital, Onaga And St Marys Campus in Onaga (21 mi). Distances are straight-line, so allow more on the road.

29% 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.

St. Marys compared with Pottawatomie County and Kansas

Census figure	St. Marys	Pottawatomie County	Kansas
Households with no vehicle	3.0%	1.7%	5.1%
Residents 65+ with a disability	29%	30%	33%
Residents 65 or older	12%	15%	17%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	15%	30%	30%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	4.1%	11%	8.8%
Residents 85 or older	1.6%	1.8%	2.0%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$49,167	$55,026	—

Older residents in towns around St. Marys

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Households with no car
Wamego, KS	13 mi	601	1.7%
Topeka, KS	23 mi	23,158	9.3%
Holton, KS	26 mi	667	14%
Manhattan, KS	29 mi	5,364	4.3%
Fort Riley, KS	41 mi	0	0.4%
Osage City, KS	41 mi	537	4.5%

Hospitals near St. Marys

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Wamego Health Center	Wamego, KS	14 mi	not rated	(785) 456-2295
Va Eastern Kansas Healthcare System	Topeka, KS	19 mi	4 of 5	(913) 682-2000
Community Hospital, Onaga And St Marys Campus	Onaga, KS	21 mi	not rated	(785) 889-4274
University Of Kansas Health System - St Francis Campus	Topeka, KS	21 mi	3 of 5	(785) 295-8000

Straight-line miles from the center of St. Marys. 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 St. Marys

At the Kansas median aide wage of $15.03 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,303 a month in wages, which is 32% of the $4,097 monthly median income of St. Marys households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Kansas'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 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 St. Marys: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to St. Marys?

Wamego Health Center in Wamego, about 14 mi in a straight line from the center of St. Marys (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (785) 456-2295. In an emergency, call 911.

How much does senior transportation cost in St. Marys?

At the Kansas median aide wage of $15.03 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,303 a month in wages, which is 32% of the $4,097 monthly median income of St. Marys households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Kansas'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 St. Marys

More senior care near St. Marys

Senior Transportation in nearby cities

Other care in St. Marys

More for St. Marys 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 St. Marys, KS