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Hi all,


I'm trying to figure out transportation options for my dad to take him from AL to basic appointments, so that I don't have to take so much time off work for these. There are no other friends/ family around who can/ would drive him (yup, I'm a solo/ lonely next of kin, no other local help from friends/ family). If I can get someone to drive/ take him to the simple things like routine dentist visit and cleaning, routine eye exam, annual audiologist/ hearing checkup etc., that would help. Of course, for any major significant doctor or specialist visit, I go myself because I want to be able to contribute questions, tell those what’s going on, and hear first-hand what they say. But I don't really need to go along to the dentist etc.


Of course, things will vary depending on the LO's ability and cognition. My dad walks (very slowly) with a walker, can mostly get in and out of a car by himself, very slowly without assistance but occasional assistance needed, but for sure someone needs to fold and store the walker in the car for him. Then cognition/ dementia is another factor.


Costs of the different options vary also. So here is how I see the pros and cons of the various options:


1) Free van from the AL. This is great when it works out. Have tried it once or twice so far. However, the hours are limited, you have to book a week ahead (and sometimes it’s not available at the time of your appointment), and while the driver can help you in and out of the van, he can’t go in with you.


2) City senior van service. We do have it in our town, but it can only take seniors within the city limits. Some of my dad's appointments are in other towns. Also I hear reliability is questionable, it is often late and then you may miss the appointment.


3) Uber/ Lyft. I hear that there is an "Uber assistance" level of service but haven’t tried that yet. Does anyone know? Supposedly different/ larger cars to handle people with walkers and wheelchairs, and maybe the drivers can help you a bit in and out of the car? My dad would not be able to order a ride himself on a smart phone (no way), so I would have to order it on my account, and then tell him the time of pickup, what the car looks like etc. It would be a hassle, and maybe hassle enough that I may as well just take him myself then....?



4) Agency provided caregivers. The Agency we have used for a couple of times a week extra help, says they can provide a caregiver and car to take my dad to appointments. This may be the most costly approach (they will bill at usual $36/hr), but probably the most reliable/ safest? They will pick him up, and even come into the AL, walk with him to the car, help him in, drive to the appt, go in with him to make sure he gets to the right clinic etc., wait with him, then bring him back. Since it won’t be that often for things like twice a year dentist, I'm thinking this may be worth it?


Thoughts from others? Other options that I haven’t thought of?

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One of the reasons I liked the AL my father was in was because they did provide transportation 5 days a week to doctor appointments and most of the time it was never an issue to get it scheduled. Another AL closer to my home only provided transportation 2 days a week so everything had to be scheduled then. That defeated the entire purpose of AL for me. I needed someone to do all these things for me because I could not take off of work as much as a senior would want. I agree, cut down the non-vital visits. I found that doctors loved to schedule multiple visits with senior for literally nothing. Also call the local office on aging, they may have volunteers to do these things. In my area there was a Mr Fixit program where a volunteer would make small repairs for the senior and they only paid for materials. My coworker had someone who would come in once a month and manage the financials for her mother..pay bills, reconcile her checking account, etc.
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Agency caregiver providers and use your father’s funds for it . Try to limit it to just the specialists .

We limited the appts outside the facility to what could not be taken care of by providers who came to the facility.
For example, we used the in house primary doctor, the podiatrist, audiologist, etc.

Outside facility was only a couple of times a year to cardiologist , hematologist . At first we used the facility free ride but mobility became too difficult. My husband used to meet his Dad at the appt . It also saved my husband time , not having to pick up and drop off his Dad . Instead of losing 3 hours of work those days , my husband only lost an hour or so .
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I vote for Agency Caregivers hired to drive him, and Dad (of course) pays for it.

A two hour doctor visit (including being picked up, taken to the appt, and the aide get him in there and sit with him, then bring him back to AL) is a reasonable price for not having to worry, for starters.

Would also make him feel like a VIP, which helps. Alternatives don't provide a Driver already experienced with dementia, or someone to wait with him there.
The total (and safer) package.
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The problem is if you are located in a more rural area most of these options are not available.

I'd first check to see if all these appointments are really necessary. Often seniors treat these as social outings rather than a needed appointment.

I would suggest finding a companion who is willing to drive and stay at appointments. They normally charge $15-20 per hour.
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SS, doesn't the AL have a visiting dentist, and audiologist?

$36. an hour seems remarkably reasonable for an aide to drive him to routine appointments!

When my mom was in a NH, most of her medical needs were handled by the in-house doc and APRN, but the few times she needed to be seen outside (pulmonary followup, suspicious skin lesion) I hired non-emergency medical transport and an aide from the NH. They got her to and from the appointment and I met them there, limiting the time I needed to take off.
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Where are you located?
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Check with your County Office on Aging in the state where you live as I’m sure they can provide transportation for your father’s doctor’s appointment.
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I've seen many people post in local town Facebook groups offering to help out those who post looking for medical rides. Some even offer to drive for free or a nominal fee.
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Unfortunately, it only gets harder. Once transfer are a problem, private handicap equipped vans become a necessity. This allows for a lift in a wheelchair without transfer to a car seat. This generally cost $120 to $150 for a single appointment and the driver will wait in the van or in the waiting room generally. Praise Rides in Snellville, Georgia worked well for my dad.
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Check to see of www.gogograndparent.com is in your area. It is a transportation service for seniors. You can make the arrangements and they will call the Lyft or Uber.

Do you have a Seniors helping Seniors franchise in your area? That is a private pay agency that I use for appointments like colonoscopies when I neeed someone to accompany because I will be under the influence.

Check out CareYaya. That is the least expensive of all of the private pay agencies. It is staffed by medical students and other healthcare students.
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Use telehealth appointments whenever possible. Someone at the AL could help him connect via phone or computer.
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InlandMeg Jan 13, 2024
Yea but OP specified they’re looking to get their dad to dental appts, eye exams, hearing appts - which are in person.
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Doesn't his Health Insurance provide transportation? Mine does - a certain amount per year. 24 hr notice for booking. They are mostly Lyft or Uber drivers because I don't need assistance. But they do ask all those questions so I imagine they send different transportation for those that do need help. And when I was shopping around for Insurance I noticed that just about all of them had transportation rides available. Also, most of my Doctors belong to a Health Plan that provides unlimited round trips (NOT one-way) within a certain mile range. That has to be booked 2-3 days in advance. You might check around for that. I accidentally stumbled upon that information on a local hospital's website. They send a special van / driver. The driver will wait in the van if they don't have another ride booked. Good Luck!
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geddyupgo Jan 14, 2024
Nice suggestion as many Medicare Advantage programs may have this service. Traditional Medicare does not. It might be included in supplemental insurances but that would depend upon the individual company and the plan level purchased.
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strugglinson: Opt for mobile services for any doctors that offer it including DDS.
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dkiely33 Jan 17, 2024
What is "mobile services" foe doctors? Do you mean Dr's that make house calls?
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I have my mom call me from her cell phone when she is talking with the doctor, so I don't need to take time off to be there, but can hear what is said and ask questions. If your dad doesn't have a cell phone, perhaps the caregiver can use theirs for that purpose...?
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Care.com or Visiting Angels
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michelle7728 Jan 13, 2024
Have you personally used care.com? I'm thinking about using that website for my mom, but wanted to get others' opinions first. The costs on there seem more reasonable than using an agency, but I'm sure they need to be carefully vetted all the same....
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If docked because you take off work, financial part is pretty simple. Depends on your hourly income rate. Certainly, other considerations may apply.
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Your best bet would be agency caregiver. With everything they offer, it's exactly what he needs. I'm a private senior caregiver and these people need assistance, guidance, and all around help for these things. I feel you will be very satisfied with this choice, no matter what the cost. It's worth it to him and you.
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Caregiver agency is best, I found. We tried the county’s transport and it was awful. They dropped him off, then failed to pick up my dad and he waited for 2 hours outside in freezing winter weather until miraculously one of his neighbors drove by and asked what he was doing outside - then quickly gave him a ride home.
I take my mom to most of her appts for the same reasons as you. Although her AL has a van, I also found it hard to coordinate. I had a good caregiver for her, before AL, when she lived alone at home after dad died. Finally found a reliable lady thru the agency, who lived nearby and kept my mom company and could take her to appts. Once mom got into AL that lady also told me she’d be happy to go to the AL and do whatever we’d like her to do.

If you find a good caregiver thru the agency, that person can be just as conscientious and trustworthy as you.
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in my area in Pa. there is a couple near me who does this and advertises. they will pick up the person and take them to dr or whatever. i'm sure you would do a thorough check on the people who do this, it is just another avenue to help
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Fawnby Jan 13, 2024
There are people in my over-55 community who do this. They have a nice little business doing it. They also provide rides to the airport. There is a volunteer free-ride service too.
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There should be a doctor that comes to the place for Medicaid and Medicare patients. Did you ask the director? If you look online there is probably a traveling doctor or p.a. That does this. Call around.
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Mrsd123 Jan 14, 2024
In my aunt's AL, they have an in-house doctor. You can also call the town's Office of the Aging for their options. In Connecticut, they have a volunteer network, but also offer a little bus that you have to book within a week in advance.
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Do you have something like Taskrabbit in your area? Or ask around at senior centers if there is an aide or nurse (with references) who might be interested in occasional “taxi” service for a senior. What about neighbors, maybe a question for Nextdoor?
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I’d like him to have a patient navigator with accompaniment - community case manager -
In an ideal world assisted living should have options like this -
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strugglinson Jan 13, 2024
That would be ideal. This assisted living doesn’t have enough people to do that. There are some private geriatric case management companies around who would do that- they would charge $200/hour for anything they do !
If done, then, my dad will say, “who is this person ? This is completely unnecessary “. Sigh .
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I agree, see where appts can be cut down. If there is a GP/PCP associated with the AL use them. My Mom was seeing her PCP every two months I asked why. She had no idea, she was only on B/P and cholesterol meds. I took her, he asked why she was there and that was the last time she went unless she was sick or needed a prescription renewal. If Dad has specialists, has he stabilized enough to allow his PCP to take over or to cut down on visits. With Moms I got it down to every 6 months or a year. These doctors will have patients come in as long as Medicare pays.

Transportation, surprised the AL doesn't do more. You give them advanced notice that should be enough time to schedule him. Ask if it would be better if when you know of the appt, they place him on the schedule then. So 6 months ahead or maybe better if a month out instead of a week. We have a Senior bus I hear takes our residents out of town for appts. Red Cross may have drivers. Maybe a Church nearby has volunteers.
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It’s worth going through the routine visits and seeing if any of them can be cut out or cut down. Once a year may be OK for the dentist, for example – that’s all I do myself. Your father is old, his body is deteriorating, and it probably doesn’t need to be kept in perfect condition. He’s too old for “live fast, die young, and have a good looking corpse”.

Many professionals make follow-up appointments as a matter of course, when they are not really necessary. Particularly if you choose 4), the most expensive option, minimise the problem if you can, for him, yourself, and the $.
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You can start looking for professional services that are open on your days off. You should use his funds for transportation
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Through personal experience I can say that my MILs county driving service would NOT transport someone with cognitive or memory impairment by themselves. No one with that kind of problem (even mild) should be sent anywhere unaccompanied — and this means the driver is not the responsible companion. This applies to any type of driving service including Uber, etc. Therefore, please do not send him anywhere on his own without a legally responsible person.
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NeedHelpWithMom Jan 6, 2024
Thanks Geaton,

I wondered about this.

My younger brother has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and his doctor has recommended that he brings someone with him to his appointments. He lives in D. C.

He forgets what his doctor said to him. He didn’t get a prescription filled and so on.

Of course, he shouldn’t be driving anymore. He was getting lost. He really shouldn’t travel alone anymore either. He got lost in the airport too.

So, I can understand why your county driving service would not want to be responsible for transportation.
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I found LYFT To Be Great . Thats what I used with My Dad . Most of the drivers are very nice .
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By the time my parents got into AL, and moms dementia set in, I cut out most of their routine appointments or set them up at the AL with visiting services such as mobile dentists. Their geriatric PCP came to the AL regularly, and any blood work she ordered was by mobile phlebotomists. The one time mom needed glasses, I took her myself. When she was no longer mobile and in a wheelchair, I called the optometrist and had him make her a new pair of glasses based on her last prescription. She ran over her glasses with her wheelchair. Had I had to hire a wheelchair accessible van to take her with me, the cost would have been $150 (in 2021) to go 3 miles and the aggravation factor to me would've quadrupled. I also took her to an oral surgeon one time for 2 molars to be pulled and swore I'd NEVER do such a thing again. The stress to all of us (dh had to take a day off work) was off the charts. So yes, the mobile dentist cost was absurd, but the stress factor was non existent bc they worked on her in her room in her recliner! Blessed peace.

So you can call an Uber BUT don't discount dad's cognitive decline. That adds stress to any outing and a level of confusion you can't fathom. When mom was in the ER for the umpteenth time and it got to be 10:30pm, I wanted to go home bc I was burned down to a crisp. She was discharged and waiting for the non emergent ambulance drivers to come take her back to AL as they'd done 20x before. I told her goodbye and explained the drivers would be by shortly. How would she pay them? Where was her purse? How would they know where she lived? How much should she tip them? Omg how would she get home alone? And on and ON it went. It reaches a point where an elder with dementia simply cannot function, period.

I would pick option #4 myself, in your case, so you'd feel comfortable knowing dad wouldn't be freaking out. My motto with all this elder care is, "In for a penny, in for a pound." The costs are SO ridiculous, what's another few hundred?
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You named all of the ones that I was going to recommend.

I had a neighbor who was looking for extra income at one point. She used to drive an elderly woman to the grocery and doctor appointments.

Maybe you can find someone to do these things for you. My neighbor charged a reasonable price for her service. She enjoyed it and the lady who hired her was very appreciative.
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