Transportation to MC facility closer to me

DDNNYC

I need to move mom to a facility closer to me -- about a 100 mile distance.  The facility will send some options for transportation, but thought I would ask here about any recommendations for providers (she'll be coming from the Metro NY area), expected cost, and if there is anything in particular I should ask or expect.  We could pick her up and drive her, but the facility suggested that having someone else do the transfer might be easier.  Any thoughts?

LaurenB

I guess that it would depend on if you think that she would be agitated knowing that you were picking her up in one place and taking her to another.  Would you tolerate being in the car with someone who is upset for several hours?  Additionally, can LO tolerate sitting up that long without risk of pressure sores?  Does LO need to be transported via stretcher?  What happens if LO has a diaper that needs to be changed?  These are just some of the things to consider.

Lauren

MN Chickadee

Personally I would transport her myself. I can only assume such a service would be very expensive in NYC.  It kind of depends on the needs of your LO though. How much of an actual medical transport it is, as opposed to just putting her in your car for a drive. Does she have high medical needs or a wheelchair or something like that? If you go for it, leave right after she uses the bathroom or has a diaper change. Some soothing music and if she is able to eat bring some fun snacks. Just don't try to deal with transporting her AND the logistical stuff in the same day or make sure you have help. You don't want to have to worry about packing or unpacking or her stuff at the same time. I would hire help for that or have other family members driving separately in charge of that.

aod326

We just had a very similar situation - I brought DH home from MC. In his case I thought the car ride might make him agitated and upset, plus I didn't know how we would manage getting him up the steps to the front door. I thought of having several friends lift him upstairs in his wheelchair, but was advised against that in case he started lashing out.

I investigated options for private medical transportation and it was less than I expected. Admittedly, the mileage was low (10 miles), but the cost was $600. (I'm in NJ.) I was surprised because I have had multiple ambulance bills for trips from hospital back to rehab, then to MC, which were hugely expensive (and not covered by insurance.) 

The company I used is ABBA Medical. They are NJ based, but do long-distance transfers. For me, it was worth every penny to not have the worry and to have professional carrying into the house.

Good luck!

jfkoc

Ask about training....you want to know the specific curriculum they use. Then ask to see a copy of the contract. Then look at their application for license to see what the actual services are.