Driving service for aging parents

[Anonymous]

I’m wondering if there are any services out there that provide driving assistance for people with mobility issues. My dad uses a walker and will likely be in a wheelchair soon and it’s difficult for my mom to get him and his walker in and out of the car every time they go out.

I know there are public services and Uber wheelchair accessible vehicles, but is there a reliable paid service where you can hire someone in advance to come assist with walking to the car and getting walkers or wheelchairs in and out as needed? Sometimes my parents will only have to travel a short distance and I don’t think Uber is always an option. Just wondering if there are people you can pay by the hour to take them to and from doctors appts and other places they need to go. They will eventually need more regular caretakers who can assist with these things but we are not there yet. Thanks for any suggestions!

[Anonymous]

It's going to be very expensive, especially for the short distances. You pay extra for having wheelchair accessible and the lifting and helping and all the waiting at store, grocery appointments. IL and AL, etc often have van services that make runs to the supermarket, etc. Aging at home gets very expensive quite quickly when there isn't an adult child around who has the time for this.

[Anonymous]

Yes, but most places have a 4 hour minimum and run about $40/hour.

[Anonymous]

Yes and no.
If you have an Uber (or better, an Uber black) with someone who seems good you can get their card. But there’s no way they can just hang around all day waiting to work one hour for you. But it can still be good for airport transfers and such.

Basically though if your dad needs help transferring, you’re there. You need an aide. A driver is a driver, not a part time aide you can summon for short periods.

As you get into Aide Land, you’ll realize that you can’t possibly staff “just enough.” You pay people to sit on the couch for hours because that’s the nature of elder care, if it’s for one or two people. It’s not an efficient model - that’s why the most cost effective way to do it is a group home.

It sucks, I’m sorry. But remember that the longer you let your mom do this job alone, the harder it will be on her. There’s a good chance she’s already doing too much and you can end up with an injury.

[Anonymous]

If you are in DC, check out the many “villages” for aging in place. Theses are nonprofits where volunteers provide driving for doctor’s visits, etc. The one I am most familiar with is Northwest Village Neighbors. I think there is a list on their website of the other neighborhoods in DC that have similar organizations. I think there are also similar ones in MoCo and Arlington. There is an annual fee for the level of membership that provides assistance, but it is reasonable. A neighbor has had very helpful assistance from the one in our neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

I haven't used them yet, but if available in your area, Go Go Grandparent may be helpful.

There are also several non-emergency medical transport companies. Depending on where you are. I scheduled a family member to use Suburban Medical Transportation for a ride home from an appointment about 6 months ago. It was expensive, but the driver was friendly, compassionate, and texted me once my family member was safely home and back in their room. I wouldn't use it on a regular basis due to costs, but it was great when an appointment was only available at a time that we couldn't drive both ways. https://www.suburbantransport.com

[Anonymous]

Check with their local senior center or council on aging. They may have a list of resources.

[Anonymous]

Your parents can sign up for metroaccess. It's inexpensive and convenient. I believe you need to reserve your trip in advance. My dad takes this service to his doctors appointment.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all of the helpful suggestions!

[Anonymous]

I am not sure whether Naborforce is equipped to handle wheelchairs, but its worth asking. THey are kind of an inbetween uber and personal caregiver. I used them to take my mom to an appt when I could not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are in DC, check out the many “villages” for aging in place. Theses are nonprofits where volunteers provide driving for doctor’s visits, etc. The one I am most familiar with is Northwest Village Neighbors. I think there is a list on their website of the other neighborhoods in DC that have similar organizations. I think there are also similar ones in MoCo and Arlington. There is an annual fee for the level of membership that provides assistance, but it is reasonable. A neighbor has had very helpful assistance from the one in our neighborhood.

I just did the info session for one of the local Neighborhood Village programs and they do have drivers and can handle walkers, but the person being driven needs to be able to transfer into/out of a vehicle and cannot require any bodily lift assistance because of liability issues. They were explicit that if someone falls and is unable to get up on their own, the volunteer needs to call 911.

It’s a fantastic resource, but it’s good to know the limitations.

[Anonymous]

I hired someone who posted on our listserve as an eldercare companion. $25/hour with a minimum of 3 hours. She comes upstairs, brings my mom down in a wheelchair, accompanies her to where she needs to go and brings her back home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hired someone who posted on our listserve as an eldercare companion. $25/hour with a minimum of 3 hours. She comes upstairs, brings my mom down in a wheelchair, accompanies her to where she needs to go and brings her back home.

I have never heard of it being that cheap. Is that in a low cost of living area? Is the person bonded and insured and a citizen of the US? How is she bringing your mom downstairs-lifting? Is this outside and there is a ramp or inside with a chairlift?

[Anonymous]

This is really when the elderly need to be in an assisted living environment, maybe independent living. The one my grandmother was in had a shuttle to take people places, and a driver could be reserved for specific appointments or parties to attend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is really when the elderly need to be in an assisted living environment, maybe independent living. The one my grandmother was in had a shuttle to take people places, and a driver could be reserved for specific appointments or parties to attend.

This. Also, if you have a difficult elder who won't stay sometimes the service "fires" them and then the next service fires them a few months later-may not be your issue though. People complain on here a lot about AL, but they streamline so many things-meds, doctor's appointments, socializing, meals, disability friendly transport.