Moving elderly Alzheimers patients across the country

AZGirl

My Dad and his wife (89 and 85) live in Virginia.  I live in Tucson.  My stepmother has Alzheimers and my father has serious short- and long-term memory issues, but hasn't been diagnosed with Alzheimers.  They have lived in a wonderful memory care (stepmom)/assisted living (Dad) facility since 2017.  I am their only living relative and am their financial and medical POA.  The long distance nature of caregiving and the cost of their care has become untenable.  I would really like to move them to Tucson, where we can easily save over $100,000/year.  I know they both will probably suffer a decline with such a move, but I have an excellent care facility here that cares for my biological Mom that will offer great stability once they arrive.

I have been thinking about how to implement such a move.  Obviously driving would be incredibly difficult, as it would require at least 3 nights in a hotel on the road, with long hours in the car.  They are both incontinent.  The thought of using a service that has a nurse accompany them on a commercial flight also seems risky:  there are no direct flights and the possibility of one or both of them having a meltdown somewhere along the way, possibly resulting in them being denied boarding, gives me pause.

They are fortunate enough to be able to afford a non-emergency medical air transport; they would save back that amount in only a few months after moving to Tucson.  Does anyone have any experience with any of these companies?  I have not been able to find any reviews of these companies that don't appear on their own websites.  I'm a little nervous to arrange transport for my parents with a company I know nothing about.

loveskitties

I have no experience with this but offer some thoughts:

Perhaps the Drs. in Virginia have some experience with transfer of patients, or perhaps your local hospital or even the care facility you are using for your mother.

Another option would be to charter a flight and care assistants.  I have no idea how the costs would be as compared to a medic flight, just a thought.  As long as the folks don't need special medical equipment a medic flight might be more than you need.

Hope you get the info you seek from a trusted source.

jfkoc

If they are running out of money then I guess a move needs to be looked at but both will suffer what could be an enormous decline and a new facility will not bring them back to the level they are at now.

You are their POA....is it a durable POA? If not you are no longer an agent for your stepmother so do check the document.

I would not consider flying. How about renting an RV and some extra help.

Jo C.

Medical Air Transport in an air ambulance is doable with a licensed nurse BUT it is helatiously expensive and you have two people which may require more.  If this is okay, then it would probably be the best way to get them out to Arizona.  They may need a bit of a relaxation med before the event in order to keep them from meltdowns from anxiety and fear.

You would need an air ambulance large enough for two person,s long distance.  If they would need to lie down, that too goes into the size of the plane that will be needed.  Some air ambulances are smaller, so that need counts.  Be sure to let any company know if the two passengers will need to be able to lie down; if they will need a guerney, or whatever the needs may be.  Also they will have to know the patients are not continent, but diapering should not be a problem. If constant O2 is necessary they also need to know about that.

Find out if they simply stop at the airport and an ambulance must be sent for pickup; some air companies arrange the transfer and there is someone to accompany the patient(s) to their placement point. 

Try asking the doctors what they think and then research the non-emergency med flights.   I know when my step-SIL was going to be transferred medical non-emergency flight from NY to California it was a bit over $10,000.  Stunning, but it needs a plane with pilot, co-pilot, equipment, emergency equipment, and at least one RN.  With two patients, it may require more than one RN and another person licensed or not, which would raise the price.  Do not use my figure, do a little research; talk to the companies doing this and let them know two patients with dementia and see where they go from there for both ability to care for the patients and for cost.

Best wishes for all to go well,

J.