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marianmcb Asked February 2015

Where to find transportation for outpatient surgery that will involve anesthesia?

Kaiser Permanente requires this. I am 89 yrs old. The surgery will be in March. My son has died. My daughter works in the Artic Circle. I have outlived friends & other family. I don't know how to comply with Kaiser's requirement. They say I cannot drive myself and cannot take a taxi. They want someone there - I suppose in case I die. Is there a volunteer service in Bakersfield or some other service to help me?

frenchmadeline Mar 2015
Hasn't anyone at Kaiser Permanente called you and offered to assist you with the arrangements surrounding this surgery. Amazing. You should call them then. Call and ask the Operator for a Social Worker and explain why you need to speak to one. Make it clear that you believe that it is their responsibility in a situation like this to help you make complete plans. Of course once you are back in your own home you will have home health care. K-P should be setting that up for you too.

Please don't hesitate to call. Even if you have to be a pest keep asking for a social worker or whoever else they think would help you. Perhaps even the Financial Services Department or the Chaplain's Office (almost all hospitals have a clergy with whom to speak, usually it's called the Chaplain's Office). Good luck to you. Le us know how you make out. Also please consider there might be alternatives to K-P that would be more willing to help a patient through a time and a procedure such as this.

BarbBrooklyn Feb 2015
What kind of surgery are you having, Marian? What is your plan going forward? Do you live alone. Are you looking into other living arrangements for the time when you become more frail.

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your son. What kind of work does your daughter do in the Artic Circle? That sounds quite exciting!

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pamstegma Feb 2015
89 is pretty high risk for surgery. Are you sure you want to do this?

igloo572 Feb 2015
If you prefer to keep this on a business level rather than a volunteer from within your church or community organization, you can get a home health agency to do this for you. My suggestion is to contact a couple to see the costs and availability. Then do a couple of interviews at your home asap. For my mom, we had 2 different home health companies do things over about a 4 - 5 month period after she had rotor cuff surgery & I went back to my state. Some states have VNA - Visting Nurse Associations who also do this. My suggestion is to select 1 based on the interviews and have them come to your home for the usually 4 hr minimum earlier the week of your surgery so they get to know you & your home somewhat better; then the day of surgery they accompany you & take you home - they probably will have to drive your car, that was a requirement for both companies my mom hired; then come back the next day or two - again for the 4 hr minimum to do whatever at the house for you. You may need help bathing or pulling a meal together or getting medications filled. They can call or Skype your daughter for you - they can help you do that as well as you'll be too woozy to do it yourself.

Another thing to ask your doc, if you are getting a pain medication or other post surgery medication or needs (like some sort of speciality bandages or creams), see if doc can give you the Rx or post-surgery wound care details BEFORE the surgery so you can get it filled or buy whatevers. Some won't & if that's the case, your hired help will have to get those prescriptions filled and errands done for you after you get home from Kaiser. Having to wait to get pain meds filled post surgery at an overcrowded CVS when it's dicey to leave the recently discharged at home alone, is one of my pet peeves - most docs are understanding but some act like everybody sells their oxycontin prescriptions.

Hiring will cost but it will solve the problem and IF in the future you need extra help for another medical situation you already have a system you can count on. Good luck too.

blannie Feb 2015
If you're a part of a faith community, you could also contact them to see if someone would help transport you. Also if you have a township, contact your township office - they often have these kinds of volunteers to help seniors. Good luck and let us know what you decide to do. I'm sorry you're having to go through this alone.

freqflyer Feb 2015
Your best bet is to contact your local Agency on Aging to see if they have any volunteers to help. Curious, who is going to care for you at home after your surgery? You might want to arrange something.

https://www.agingcare.com/local/Area-Agency-on-Aging

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