I need to coordinate transportation to move my Mom from an AL in Illinois to an AL in Kentucky - over 300 miles. I've reached out for quotes from medical transport companies and so far, seeing rates of $5k+. Yikes.
I'm wondering if there is a service where a licensed caregiver accompanies patients during long-distance travel in a private vehicle. We have access to a van with wheelchair accessibility but need a professional caregiver to make the 5-hour trip with us. I have Googled but not coming up with anything. Thanks for any guidance!
If they can't do it, do they have any suggestions?
Clearly you know the needs better than I do, but I’d be tempted to wing it. Out of your 6 siblings, is there one who could spend a similar time with mother, see what ‘needs’ come up, and practice doing what is necessary? In any event, you will need an early start (with prep the night before), and clear arrival arrangements at the destination. It will be a long day. You should also think about how the carer can safely move around in the van, in order to do what needs to be done.
I’d suggest doing a dummy run, to check out facilities along the way – including options if there is an emergency. You really need to know where you can stop, not to be exploring unknown service stations. If you have access to the van, I’d do the dummy run with a helper in the bed and also acting what the carer needs to do. If you can’t do that, check the road surface as carefully as you can. Flat on a bed in a van, you find many many more bounces than are apparent in a car (and I’ve done this all myself when my back is crook, for 3 days and 1500 kms). A dummy run may seem like a lot of unnecessary work, but it's a lot cheaper than $5K, and a very very sensible thing to do.
To summarise, I think that knowing what you are doing (and practising first) is more important than the license of the caregiver. If you do find the carer you are looking for (and check their manouverability in a moving van as well as the license), you might still consider doing the dummy run first. I would, if it was my mother.
Good luck to all involved!
As far as I know, the certificate caregivers might / could get is a CNA = Certified Nursing Assistant. Check local listings and see what you find. You then refer to a professional caregiver (to me that means how much time and experience do they have, and references). Do a criminal check, too. To work in a facility, we have to be 'vetted,' which includes fingerprinting = criminal check.
Check their insurance and who is covered - and for how much.
It appears from others' responses there there are websites you can research.
If you go through a company, be sure to ask about their employee's references and check yourself. Some companies do not do a good job screening their workers (they are so desperate to get people in their employ).
There are people (like me) who work independently and would take this on although you will need to look for people in the caregiving / care management field to see who might be available.
Costs may seem steep although when you figure it is a 24/7 job and they are leaving their own family and likely other clients, it will add up.
* Driving of an elder person which will have its own issues/responsibilities:
- Is the elder incontinent?
- What / do they have behavioral issues that may come out during this trip? And, if this is a possibility, how will the care provider handle these situations.
You might do better having someone accompanying your loved one on an airplane for a much shorter trip.
Gena / Touch Matters
https://www.seniortravelcompanionservices.com/about
https://www.firstlighthomecare.com/home-care-services/specialty-care/travel-companion/
https://www.travelingaide.com/www.travelingaide.com/skilled-services
https://www.agingcare.com/lp/bp-homecare?campaignid=20108844850&adgroupid=147895561846&keyword=caretaker%20for%20hire&affiliateid=C2B76E5B-BB2D-4F62-B5F2-60F00A57E756&opt=true&gclid=Cj0KCQiA2eKtBhDcARIsAEGTG41FSBj2yAoGHAuk6vVO2kGDlvA2cpYWI620bNvcZZgdAuNBtmc5sM4aAqm4EALw_wcB
Enter licensed home caregivers into Google you should be able to find a number of websites that let you enter your ZIP code and find agencies in your area. Many agencies have caregivers who will be able to do this. As previously mentioned, it may be a bit of a problem crossing state lines and because this is a long round trip but you can only find out by calling.
Please do pay attention to all of the concerns others have raised about her condition and be truthful with the agency. I understand that money is a concern and I would baulk at $5,000 but on the other hand I would want to make sure the caregiver is fully licensed and insured.
Does insurance transfer? Do you have a PCP lined up and if not, it might take e several months for first appointment.
In your other post you say she has an open wound. Do you have a specialist lined up including wound dressings? Sitting on her butt for several hours is not good.
She has mobility issues so how will she be toileted at a rest stop. Does her mobility include more than 1 person lift? If you answer yes to the last 2 questions then maybe she needs to be transported by plane on a stretcher.
Remember, you have to pay them portal to portal or you will never find anyone. The return trip will need to be financed by mom as well.
My cousin is a traveling nurse and does this in her off hours as a service so looking to nurses would be a good idea.