Senior Transportation in Totowa, NJ: Rides With a Caregiver

Local figures

Senior Transportation in Totowa, NJ: the local picture

3.8%

of households have no vehicle (14% in Passaic County)

5.6 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Passaic)

2,091

residents 65 or older (19% of Totowa)

29%

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

About 148 Totowa households, 3.8%, have no vehicle (14% in Passaic 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 Totowa: St Mary's General Hospital in Passaic (5.6 mi); Chilton Medical Center in Pompton Plains (6.1 mi); Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical in Montclair (6.2 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.

Totowa compared with Passaic County and New Jersey

Census figure	Totowa	Passaic County	New Jersey
Households with no vehicle	3.8%	14%	11%
Residents 65+ with a disability	29%	30%	30%
Residents 65 or older	19%	16%	17%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	19%	25%	27%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	2.9%	12%	9.7%
Residents 85 or older	3.5%	1.9%	2.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$68,567	$67,066	—

Older residents in towns around Totowa

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Households with no car
Woodland Park, NJ	1.6 mi	2,685	7.2%
Singac, NJ	1.8 mi	559	3.2%
Great Notch, NJ	2.3 mi	839	2.3%
Preakness, NJ	2.4 mi	3,785	6.0%
Montclair State University, NJ	2.8 mi	0	—
Haledon, NJ	2.8 mi	1,488	8.9%

Hospitals near Totowa

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
St Mary's General Hospital	Passaic, NJ	5.6 mi	3 of 5	(973) 365-4300
Chilton Medical Center	Pompton Plains, NJ	6.1 mi	5 of 5	(973) 831-5000
Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical	Montclair, NJ	6.2 mi	4 of 5	(973) 429-6000
Clara Maass Medical Center	Belleville, NJ	8.1 mi	3 of 5	(973) 450-2000

Straight-line miles from the center of Totowa. 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 Totowa

At the New Jersey median aide wage of $17.83 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,545 a month in wages, which is 27% of the $5,714 monthly median income of Totowa households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. New Jersey's minimum wage is $15.92 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 Totowa: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Totowa?

St Mary's General Hospital in Passaic, about 5.6 mi in a straight line from the center of Totowa (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (973) 365-4300. In an emergency, call 911.

How much does senior transportation cost in Totowa?

At the New Jersey median aide wage of $17.83 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,545 a month in wages, which is 27% of the $5,714 monthly median income of Totowa households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. New Jersey's minimum wage is $15.92 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 Totowa

More senior care near Totowa

Senior Transportation in nearby cities

Other care in Totowa

More for Totowa 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 Totowa, NJ