Do you have Medicaid or Medicare? I know Mark was allowed to have so many rides in the local public transport per year (15 I believe which included both to and from). You can find volunteer groups that will help take you in certain situations such as cancer and dialysis or hire someone from Care.com to help with doctors appointments. I am not sure of the name of the public transport in your area, I am sure there is more than one that might help.
Some doctors offices do provide transportation.You have to ask for it. Conviva transported my MIL.in her 80s.You can uber or There is a service called Go Go Grandparent.
I would love to get some answers as well. My husband does not have Alzheimer’s but is physically disabled and needs a transport company that will also help him in and out of bed for his doctors’ appointments, of which he has many. We have been paying upwards of $200 for each appointment. We do not have Medicaid because our income is too high. even though we do not have any savings. The aging and disabled agencies have also been no help. Right now we are waiting for Medicare Part B which is another aggravating situation. I am now writing to our Senators. We also have not been able to obtain any financial help for home health care so he is in bed all day. I still work part time as well.
I'm almost 85, and still live in an Independent living facility. Gave up my car 3+ years ago due to short term memory loss. Then I looked for senior living. Found one which provides transportation to doctor's appointments, grocery stores, pharmacies, besides planned day trips to museums, stores, etc. I looked around at quite a few facilities, but Brookdale (old but usable), which provides transportation to appointments and stores. Don't have to pay for this transportation, but I often tip the driver; don't know if that is authorized, but he takes the tip. The trans. to doctor appts is usually by sedan, maybe or maybe not with other "patients" in the vehicle for stops, too. It will be by facility bus if appt is in the middle of the day. At the other end of doctor's office, I just call for return pick up. It does work. However, I am not pleased with the situation, because if the driver is on the other side of the city, it may be an hour or more I would be waiting either in the sun of Arizona or in a store, looking out the window for the driver to pick me up. Hiring a caregiver to take me to and from my appointments is also possible. The cost is $31 a half hour. If the caregiver stayed with me the whole time of my appointment, it would be close to $70-$100 transportation for that one trip plus $$ for the caregiver's time. A lot of money. A taxi is possible, but I found the cost is also close to $50-$60 one way, through the city and possible a few miles on a freeway in Phoenix. I'm not good at managing a trip using Uber, or other car service to and fro. It is frustrating, but what else can I do? I do not want to always have to bother my son to drive me to and fro, although he is retired and could. I try not to lean on him too much. He does go with me to medical specialist appointments if the medical issue is serious or iffy. If you have a lot of medical appts and have to pay for transportation, you can take off your taxes by filing the longer form of return. I did that once, but it wasn't worth it as I didn't have enough $$$ that I could claim as medical expenses. But, using other transportation to go to and from medical appts. is tax deductible if you have enough medical expenses to claim. Just remember to ask the driver for a receipt. No matter how one looks at the elder logistic situation, it is hard on the senior as to which decision they make or can make. Do some research, attend a senior meeting and ask if another senior can give you pointers on how to handle situations, like not driving, meeting appointments, stores, etc. It worked for me, gave me ideas on what, how, and what I needed to do. Good luck.
Call some churches to see if they have any volunteer drivers or if they know of any Volunteer Organizations like Shepherd's Center that offer some services for seniors.
If there are no sources of volunterrs, you might have to hire Uber or Lyft if these are routine doctors' office appointments. Or a taxi. For medical procedures or surgery, you would need a Medical Transport service or a Home Health aide who could drive you.
It all depends on where you live and how extensive the medical services are. For me the local cab company has special arrangements with the medical providers. First start by asking your insurance company. Then your provider. They will know who the medical transport companies are. Depending on your insurance most of these services are free.
Call government agency / City Hall and ask to speak to someone in Senior Service Dept. Ask your medical provider / social worker for referral list of 'senior services'
I live in the UK, so don't know about services in the US. However, I know that doctors' surgeries usually know information like this, so speak with the receptionist - they might be able to point you in the right direction.
Otherwise, I would contact social services and let them know that you are not able to do everything for yourself. Ask them if they can help, or if they know of any organisation that can help you with transportation or other bits of help.
Finally, even with the NHS and all the other free services in the UK, there are volunteer groups here who provide the elderly with help. I'm sure that there must be such groups in your area, too. The doctor's surgery or social worker might know of any in your area. Likewise, the library might keep a list of volunteer groups, or your local council might.
Does someone help you to get groceries, or do you use an online shopping service?
I'm sure that there must be help available. I wish you all the best with finding it.
I would search in your own area, watch your NextDoor for those willing to take you to appointments and etc. You might also try care.com. We are just a forum of caregivers. Check also to see if you have "The Village" in your area. Often has volunteers. There is a monthly stipend but goes according to income ability to pay I hear. Have not used myself.
I am now writing to our Senators. We also have not been able to obtain any financial help for home health care so he is in bed all day. I still work part time as well.
If you have a lot of medical appts and have to pay for transportation, you can take off your taxes by filing the longer form of return. I did that once, but it wasn't worth it as I didn't have enough $$$ that I could claim as medical expenses. But, using other transportation to go to and from medical appts. is tax deductible if you have enough medical expenses to claim. Just remember to ask the driver for a receipt. No matter how one looks at the elder logistic situation, it is hard on the senior as to which decision they make or can make. Do some research, attend a senior meeting and ask if another senior can give you pointers on how to handle situations, like not driving, meeting appointments, stores, etc. It worked for me, gave me ideas on what, how, and what I needed to do. Good luck.
If there are no sources of volunterrs, you might have to hire Uber or Lyft if these are routine doctors' office appointments. Or a taxi. For medical procedures or surgery, you would need a Medical Transport service or a Home Health aide who could drive you.
Also, check with churches in your area. Some churches have volunteers that help the elderly.
I live in the UK, so don't know about services in the US. However, I know that doctors' surgeries usually know information like this, so speak with the receptionist - they might be able to point you in the right direction.
Otherwise, I would contact social services and let them know that you are not able to do everything for yourself. Ask them if they can help, or if they know of any organisation that can help you with transportation or other bits of help.
Finally, even with the NHS and all the other free services in the UK, there are volunteer groups here who provide the elderly with help. I'm sure that there must be such groups in your area, too. The doctor's surgery or social worker might know of any in your area. Likewise, the library might keep a list of volunteer groups, or your local council might.
Does someone help you to get groceries, or do you use an online shopping service?
I'm sure that there must be help available. I wish you all the best with finding it.
or
Care.com
or ask at your Senior Center or local Area Agency on Aging
or local churches that have an Elder Care ministry
We are just a forum of caregivers.
Check also to see if you have "The Village" in your area. Often has volunteers. There is a monthly stipend but goes according to income ability to pay I hear. Have not used myself.