Senior Transportation in West Palm Beach, FL

Local figures

Senior Transportation in West Palm Beach, FL: the local picture

9.5%

of households have no vehicle (6.0% in Palm Beach County)

3.4 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (West Palm Beach)

26,251

residents 65 or older (21% of West Palm Beach)

28%

of residents 65+ report a disability (29% in Palm Beach County)

About 4,994 West Palm Beach households, 9.5%, have no vehicle (6.0% in Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach: St Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach (3.4 mi); Good Samaritan Medical Center in West Palm Beach (4.2 mi); Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center in Palm Beach Gardens (5.5 mi). Distances are straight-line, so allow more on the road.

28% 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.

West Palm Beach compared with Palm Beach County and Florida

Census figure	West Palm Beach	Palm Beach County	Florida
Households with no vehicle	9.5%	6.0%	6.0%
Residents 65+ with a disability	28%	29%	31%
Residents 65 or older	21%	25%	21%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	33%	28%	25%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	14%	11%	12%
Residents 85 or older	3.2%	3.9%	2.6%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$57,526	$65,565	—

Older residents in towns around West Palm Beach

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Households with no car
Westgate, FL	3.6 mi	781	13%
Haverhill, FL	3.8 mi	337	2.9%
Lake Belvedere Estates, FL	3.8 mi	379	1.4%
Riviera Beach, FL	4.0 mi	7,391	8.5%
Lake Park, FL	5.3 mi	1,469	11%
Palm Beach, FL	6.3 mi	5,934	2.6%

Hospitals near West Palm Beach

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
St Mary's Medical Center	West Palm Beach, FL	3.4 mi	1 of 5	(561) 840-6202
Good Samaritan Medical Center	West Palm Beach, FL	4.2 mi	2 of 5	(561) 655-5511
Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center	Palm Beach Gardens, FL	5.5 mi	2 of 5	(561) 622-1411
W Palm Beach Va Medical Center	West Palm Beach, FL	5.5 mi	3 of 5	(561) 422-8600

Straight-line miles from the center of West Palm Beach. 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 West Palm Beach

At the Florida median aide wage of $16.25 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,408 a month in wages, which is 29% of the $4,794 monthly median income of West Palm Beach households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Florida's minimum wage rose to $15.00 an hour on September 30, 2026, under Article X, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution.

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 How to get paid to take care of a family member in Florida: SMMC LTC and the PDO.

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 West Palm Beach: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to West Palm Beach?

St Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach, about 3.4 mi in a straight line from the center of West Palm Beach (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (561) 840-6202. In an emergency, call 911.

How much does senior transportation cost in West Palm Beach?

At the Florida median aide wage of $16.25 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,408 a month in wages, which is 29% of the $4,794 monthly median income of West Palm Beach households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Florida's minimum wage rose to $15.00 an hour on September 30, 2026, under Article X, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution.

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 West Palm Beach

More senior care near West Palm Beach

Senior Transportation in nearby cities

Other care in West Palm Beach

More for West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach, FL