Options to get a 94 year old to doctor's appointments

[Anonymous]

She can't drive and I have a full time job. Cannot just stop work mid morning or afternoon to take her to an appointment, even if the doctor has WiFi. So what options are there?

[Anonymous]

Care management?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Care management?

What is that exactly? We did get her qualified for a Medicaid for home health.

[Anonymous]

You really need to say where you are for people to answer. There are resources but if you live in Kansas City it won’t help if we offer the options for Silver Spring.

[Anonymous]

Call a home health care agency. They often drive and accompany people to medical appointments. However, they likely will not do it as a “one off” service, will not do it at the last minute, and will require a lot of paperwork to “sign up.” I suggest taking her to this appointment if it is right away and then see about some ongoing home health care aides.

Also, check the local jurisdiction to see if they (often through a senior center) offer anything.

[Anonymous]

If all the adults around your parent are in inflexible full time jobs, then your parent needs to have an aide who can get her to appointments, ask the questions and jot down some notes. Either with an agency or found by word of mouth or something.

I have a friend who is currently driving from DC to NYC where her MIL lives (not even her parent!), to take her to medical appointments and such. It's crazy, and I hope they find a more long-term solution.

[Anonymous]

Just request the time off. You will not regret it.

[Anonymous]

In the DC area, JCA can help with this. Some areas have neighborhood networks that can arrange transportation, so that might be an option. Check to see if their Medicare plan offers this. Some do, including some Kaiser plans. You can also do Uber or a cab. If you get a driver that she likes, get their contact information, since many are available for jobs when you contact them directly.

Also, consider getting Family Medical Leave Act forms completed by their physician at some point. Family leave can be used for situations like this.

[Anonymous]

Most medical transport (to appointments) is only curb to curb. You need an aide or someone to help on either end.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most medical transport (to appointments) is only curb to curb. You need an aide or someone to help on either end.[/quot

Agree. This may not be simple to arrange and you need something repeatable.

[Anonymous]

Do remote appointments with her doctors on line. That is how we did Mom's when she was bedbound in her home.

You will need to be there or have a caregiver to facilitate the remote meeting.

[Anonymous]

Hire an aide
Don’t go unless it’s for a uti or something.

[Anonymous]

Neighborhood aging in place groups ("villages") typically have volunteers that offer this is one of their main services, if there's one in your mom's neighborhood. You might also check with Iona Senior Services referral to the right kind of service.

[Anonymous]

What is the appt for? At 90 my parents stopped going to any medical appts that weren’t absolutely necessary like they had a UTI. Amy other routine appt or specialist they stopped going to.

[Anonymous]

The volunteer organizations are to help the underprivileged and those in a bind now and then. You need a real solution which is either to hire an aide to drive and attend and you will likely need to hire that aide a certain number of hours so might as well have her help with grocery shopping and other stuff or look into care facilities.