Re: Arranging transport

Iris L.

I am writing as something to think about and to prepare for in regards to a common caregiving situation. My older relative in her 80's cares for her brother in his 90's who has AD. She had occasion to take him in her car for a medical appointment. Despite having the younger woman caregiver and another older man relative along, the three of them could not maneuver the PWD into the automobile. They had to ask a young man passerby to assist them, and he was able to. When they got to the doctor's office, they could not get him out of the car for the appointment. Usually he is in a wheelchair.

My point in writing is that there will come a time when regular transport will not be suitable. Think about what options are available. Don't risk injuring yourself or the PWD or others by attempting lifting from awkward positions. Tele-med and Zoom visits became popular during the lockdowns, but they seem no longer to be compensated. Non-emergency medical transport is expensive but may not be readily available in all areas. Home visits by a nurse or nurse practitioner or a doctor could be ideal.

I am having the same transport problem with my neighbor, who does not have dementia but who is medically frail and ambulates poorly outside. I advised her to ask for a home nurse visit, but she is reluctant. She is a fall risk and I will not take that responsibility on myself. I am not POA, so I can only advise and urge.

Iris

jfkoc

Hi Iris....I would look into finding "wheel chair" transportation. Here we have Taxi and uber that can accomodate wheel chairs. Also companies with medvans.

Iris L.

Thank you jfkoc. The problem for my relative was not the wheelchair, but the lifting. A taxi or Uber driver might not be willing to lift a frail patient with dementia. As for my neighbor, she won't get into a wheelchair. She doesn't have dementia.

Iris

Jo C.

Iris, there are cars and vans that do indeed take patients in wheelchairs for medical appointments. They have ways to have the wheelchairs slid into the vehicle; ramp lifts are usually used with vans. The patient does not leave the wheelchair. NOTE: In many HMOs and Advantage Plans there is often coverage for a certain number of these wheelchair transports per year. May want to look into that.

You can use Google and insert, Wheelchair Transport Long Beach Ca. or whatever city the person needing transport is in; you will find all sorts of transport companies. If the insurance the person has does provide coverage for wheelchair transport, you would have to apply to that patient's insurance center to find the contracted company they use and how an appointment for transport is made.

As for your neighbor who will not use a wheelchair and who refuses a home health visit; there is nothing that can be done if she is capable of making her own decisions. Eventually if her reasoning and logic are gravely compromised, one then may wonder if a APS report would be warranted; but if she can make her own decisions and is adequately housed and has food, APS will in all probability take a report but do nothing.

J.

Iris L.

Thank you Jo C, I mentioned the wheelchair transport to my relative to consider for the future.

As for my neighbor, she actually has everything in her environment to her liking. She has her food and her meds brought to her, and someone takes care of her finances. She's actually doing better than I am, except for not being very ambulatory. APS would have nothing to comment upon.

Iris

Jo C.

You are a very good friend, Iris.

J.