It is too dangerous for my 98-year-old mother to get across her yard and across the road to get to her mailbox. Any advice?
Her legs are weak and unstable, and it is dangerous crossing and standing in the road to access her mailbox. She once asked the Post Office to move it to her side of the road but no action was taken.
In a small town where I once lived, the mail carrier on our rural route drove into the driveway and around to the back of the house. The owner’s mail box was beside the driveway and she was able to walk down the ramp at the back door to get it out of the mailbox. At that time all she had to do was ask for this special service. She stayed at home alone till she was 90.
Get her a mailbox that attaches to the house right outside the front door. Then you call the post office and inform them that the new mailbox is now located on the front of the house right by the front door. It is not the responsibility of the Post Office to put up a mailbox for someone or to move one for them. That is the homeowner's responsibility. Her mail can also be delivered to the Post Office and someone can pick it up weekly. If her mailbox is moved and the mail carrier will have to come onto her property, it will be her responsibility to make sure it's safe for them to do so. Snow removal must be done. Dogs must be leashed, etc...
Contact your mother’s post office and make your request. She could offer to place a mailbox on her porch or other space to make it easier on the postal carrier. Here is a link.
Our rural road at the farm has all the mail boxes placed so that the deliverer can put the mail in with their right hand. They sort it first and it’s stacked on the passenger seat. This is quicker, and safer for them and road users than weaving all over the road, let alone getting out of the car.
We have a wide road verge, so we cleared a loop path off the road that Tony Postman can drive down, access our mailbox with his right hand, and then drive back onto the road. He also picks up our mail to post if we leave a stone on top of the mailbox to let him know there is something in it for him to take. And at Christmas, there’s something for him in it too. That’s the norm around here.
Or try contacting the post office again, and explain the unsafe situation? I don;t know how long ago "once" was, but things have changed and they should be able to help. Cwillie's advice is also good!
When my mom lost her vision due to wet AMD and a sudden bleed her mailbox was on the other side of a rural road and it wasn't safe for her to attempt to cross. She paid for a post office box in town, we paid extra for one large enough so that it could hold a couple weeks worth if necessary. Alternatively you could just have all her mail redirected to your address.
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Then you call the post office and inform them that the new mailbox is now located on the front of the house right by the front door.
It is not the responsibility of the Post Office to put up a mailbox for someone or to move one for them.
That is the homeowner's responsibility. Her mail can also be delivered to the Post Office and someone can pick it up weekly.
If her mailbox is moved and the mail carrier will have to come onto her property, it will be her responsibility to make sure it's safe for them to do so. Snow removal must be done. Dogs must be leashed, etc...
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Here is a link.
https://faq.usps.com/s/article/If-I-have-Hardship-or-Medical-Problems-how-do-I-request-Door-Delivery
We have a wide road verge, so we cleared a loop path off the road that Tony Postman can drive down, access our mailbox with his right hand, and then drive back onto the road. He also picks up our mail to post if we leave a stone on top of the mailbox to let him know there is something in it for him to take. And at Christmas, there’s something for him in it too. That’s the norm around here.
Alternatively you could just have all her mail redirected to your address.