Senior Transportation in Williston Highlands, FL

Local figures

Senior Transportation in Williston Highlands, FL: the local picture

0.9%

of households have no vehicle (5.2% in Levy County)

21 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Gainesville)

527

residents 65 or older (14% of Williston Highlands)

35%

of residents 65+ report a disability (40% in Levy County)

About 11 Williston Highlands households, 0.9%, have no vehicle (5.2% in Levy 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 Williston Highlands: Va North Florida/South Georgia Healthcare System - Gainesville in Gainesville (21 mi); Adventhealth Ocala in Ocala (23 mi); HCA Florida North Florida Hospital in Gainesville (26 mi). Distances are straight-line, so allow more on the road.

35% 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.

Williston Highlands compared with Levy County and Florida

Census figure	Williston Highlands	Levy County	Florida
Households with no vehicle	0.9%	5.2%	6.0%
Residents 65+ with a disability	35%	40%	31%
Residents 65 or older	14%	25%	21%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	16%	29%	25%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	16%	13%	12%
Residents 85 or older	1.1%	2.1%	2.6%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$62,273	$47,356	—

Older residents in towns around Williston Highlands

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Households with no car
Williston, FL	7.0 mi	658	6.4%
East Bronson, FL	9.3 mi	339	0.0%
Rainbow Lakes Estates, FL	12 mi	1,203	0.0%
Rainbow Springs, FL	17 mi	3,092	1.0%
On Top of the World, FL	22 mi	12,662	2.7%
Newberry, FL	22 mi	1,005	2.3%

Hospitals near Williston Highlands

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Va North Florida/South Georgia Healthcare System - Gainesville	Gainesville, FL	21 mi	4 of 5	(352) 376-1611
Adventhealth Ocala	Ocala, FL	23 mi	4 of 5	(352) 351-7200
HCA Florida North Florida Hospital	Gainesville, FL	26 mi	3 of 5	(352) 333-4100
Uf Health Shands Hospital	Gainesville, FL	26 mi	5 of 5	(352) 265-8000

Straight-line miles from the center of Williston Highlands. 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 Williston Highlands

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 27% of the $5,189 monthly median income of Williston Highlands 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 Williston Highlands: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Williston Highlands?

Va North Florida/South Georgia Healthcare System - Gainesville in Gainesville, about 21 mi in a straight line from the center of Williston Highlands (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (352) 376-1611. In an emergency, call 911.

How much does senior transportation cost in Williston Highlands?

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 27% of the $5,189 monthly median income of Williston Highlands 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 Williston Highlands

More senior care near Williston Highlands

Senior Transportation in nearby cities

Other care in Williston Highlands

More for Williston Highlands 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 Williston Highlands, FL