My husband is 70 years old. He has undergone 4 surgeries in the past 2 months which have resulted in 3 toes being amputated. He is a dialysis patient, has diabetes and has had triple bypass and mitral valve repair. Prior to amputations he was driving himself to dialysis but we were beginning to plan for home dialysis which had to be put on hold. Note: he has small vessel disease and 4 of his fingers developed horrible sores meaning I would have to operate the dialysis equipment for home dialysis which is 7 days a week.
Initially, during his hospitalization, my husband lost 2 toes (great toe and next one) went to rehab and was doing ok walking with a walker and a weight bearing (heel) shoe. He then developed bone infection in the 3rd toe, lost it during another surgery and is now is back at rehab square one in his recuperation.
Prior to the last surgery losing his 3rd toe, insurance cut him off because he could receive home care and didn’t require an RN. I appealed and lost. However, he then had the latest surgery and received a new authorization from insurance for sub acute rehab.
I will see an elder attorney and understand the future implications of out of pocket expenses verses Medicaid for my husband. It’s very hard to think of spending down my precious retirement savings and will give careful consideration after getting legal advice before I take such a big step (I’m 66 years of age and was the primary breadwinner all of our marriage).
I have resources to help me with ramps, commodes, wheelchairs. I’m most worried about transporting, (if he comes home in a wheelchair) him 3 times a week to dialysis as our Transport Service in the community which is very affordable is backed up for 2 months. I’ve been quoted $100 each way plus $5 per mile (his dialysis center is 5 miles away). Multiply that by 3 times a week, you can see what I mean. Home dialysis will be his future, but requires surgery to place a tube in his stomach which must heal so I need to plan now.
If he comes home in a walker, many of these complications will be lessened.
The transport question has been asked periodically, and there are other threads you can check out:
https://www.agingcare.com/search?term=transportation+for+dialysis
https://www.agingcare.com/search?term=transportion+for+medical+visits
Your location isn't provided in your profile, so there's no way of knowing for sure what options might be available, so these are a variety of sources you might consider:
1. Senior Centers, ambulance services which also provide non emergency service, local public transit companies which also have small bus, a/k/a "dial a ride" and/or point to point transit.
2. The first link above to other posts addresses transportation for dialysis. You could also contact a dialysis, kidney or renal association to ask for suggestions, and inquire as to whether they offer assistance monetarily or have local or national contracts with transit to dialysis.
3. Over the years I've collected senior citizen guides from Senior Centers, realtors, County, local communities and other entities addressing the aged population. Do a search on these categories, and ask about booklets or information on senior services, specifically transportation.
4. States sometimes have agencies dedicate to seniors; research your state's website to see what you can find.
5. Is your husband a Veteran? There may be some services available if he's qualified for them.
I hope first that he's able to return home with a walker, but if not, that the suggestions result in a reasonably priced, workable solution for both of you.
Aren't there local taxi firms with wheelchair accessible vans? I live in a small town and each of the taxi firms have wheelchair accessible vans. It certainly would not cost $100 each way.