Senior Transportation in Tacoma, WA: Rides With a Caregiver

Local figures

Senior Transportation in Tacoma, WA: the local picture

8.8%

of households have no vehicle (5.4% in Pierce County)

0.3 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Tacoma)

33,418

residents 65 or older (15% of Tacoma)

38%

of residents 65+ report a disability (36% in Pierce County)

About 8,215 Tacoma households, 8.8%, have no vehicle (5.4% in Pierce 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 Tacoma: St Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma (0.3 mi); Tacoma General Allenmore Hospital in Tacoma (0.3 mi); Madigan Amc (Ft Lewis) in Joint Base Lewis-Mcchord (0.7 mi). Distances are straight-line, so allow more on the road.

38% 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.

Tacoma compared with Pierce County and Washington

Census figure	Tacoma	Pierce County	Washington
Households with no vehicle	8.8%	5.4%	7.1%
Residents 65+ with a disability	38%	36%	33%
Residents 65 or older	15%	15%	17%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	30%	25%	26%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	11%	8.8%	8.9%
Residents 85 or older	1.7%	1.5%	1.8%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$60,212	$70,061	—

Older residents in towns around Tacoma

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Households with no car
Fircrest, WA	3.0 mi	1,314	8.5%
University Place, WA	4.8 mi	6,796	3.8%
Fife, WA	5.3 mi	790	3.0%
Waller, WA	5.4 mi	1,331	3.8%
Midland, WA	5.9 mi	1,223	9.3%
Wollochet, WA	5.9 mi	1,739	2.9%

Hospitals near Tacoma

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
St Joseph Medical Center	Tacoma, WA	0.3 mi	3 of 5	(253) 627-4101
Tacoma General Allenmore Hospital	Tacoma, WA	0.3 mi	2 of 5	(253) 403-1000
Madigan Amc (Ft Lewis)	Joint Base Lewis-Mcchord, WA	0.7 mi	not rated	(253) 968-1110
Mary Bridge Children's Hospital	Tacoma, WA	0.7 mi	not rated	(253) 403-1400

Straight-line miles from the center of Tacoma. 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 Tacoma

At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 40% of the $5,018 monthly median income of Tacoma households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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 Tacoma: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Tacoma?

St Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma, about 0.3 mi in a straight line from the center of Tacoma (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (253) 627-4101. In an emergency, call 911.

How much does senior transportation cost in Tacoma?

At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 40% of the $5,018 monthly median income of Tacoma households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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 Tacoma

More senior care near Tacoma

Senior Transportation in nearby cities

Other care in Tacoma

More for Tacoma 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 Tacoma, WA