Any idea's on medical transportation services to use, or issues that might need to be addressed? Moving from a private residence to a memory care facility. Thanks
It seems like a reasonable idea to pursue memory care where she lives now. She isn’t going to know where she is anyway. As for moving her close to relatives who can visit, well, mostly they don’t. And the patient eventually doesn’t know who they are.
I would honestly look into Memory Care where she is currently living. I am sure the costs are pretty comparable but it would be worth checking out. If I had to do this, make the move, I would probably opt to make the drive myself. Either in a rented RV or suck it up and drive through. (I did a long drive with my Husband from Illinois to Maine NOT a fun trip.) A flight would be possible with the help of the airlines, make them aware that you need transport to the gate. AND medication for any anxiety. Do know that if the medication fails to calm you may be asked to leave the flight. So first choice would be driving. If mom is attached to your sister it might be easier if she were to come and help get mom settled.
Before the trip consult her doctor find out if there are any conditions that might make the trip more dangerous for her. DVT is one that might be a concern. Less of a concern if you do the RV since she would be able to move about more easily
If I was moving my mom from TN to NE I would have my sister, myself and one other person to take care of her and rent an RV. This way she can have a potty right there, you can cook and eat and sleep without her having to get out of the RV.
You can do one-way and fly your sister and helper home or they can have the RV and use it for a road trip home.
I want to say, well done taking mom off your sisters hands. Your sister sounds burned out and it is good you are stepping up. She might benefit from having the RV for a week after to get a much needed break and change of scenery.
OTOH, since she's going into MC anyways, why don't you just do it near where she lives now? Your sister won't have to do much or even better, you could be the contact person.
If you use a medical transportation service, then THEY will address any issues that crop up, not you. That's the beauty of spending A LOT of money using such a service. Here is a link to a list of non-emergent medical transport companies in Tennessee:
You can check with her doctor about calming medication to give her before such a long trip, I would think. And then with the medical transport company about what their experience is with dementia patients in general?
A quick Google search says it's 1000 miles or a 15 hour trip from TN to NE! I don't know that such a trip is really feasible for a 93 year old, nor would the cost be affordable at ALL. Perhaps you should fly out to pick her up and bring her back on the plane with you. I think that's what I'd do; get a wheelchair to wheel her thru the airport, put her in a Depends disposable brief with an extra pad in it, pray to God she doesn't have a BM during the flight (no kidding, huh?), get those calming meds from the doc, and hope for the best. At least you'll have the flight over with in a few hours vs. 15 hours on the road!
You can also hire a flight nurse to accompany your mother on the plane instead of you! Here's a link to info about that option:
Great info lealonnie1!! I'm tucking this away for future reference. Like you I don't think the road trip is really feasible unless it is broken up into two days, but I don't know how great it will be flying either. Unless the patient is drugged into oblivion... take off and landing could be rough .... on them and the other passengers.
I am sure the costs are pretty comparable but it would be worth checking out.
If I had to do this, make the move, I would probably opt to make the drive myself. Either in a rented RV or suck it up and drive through. (I did a long drive with my Husband from Illinois to Maine NOT a fun trip.)
A flight would be possible with the help of the airlines, make them aware that you need transport to the gate. AND medication for any anxiety. Do know that if the medication fails to calm you may be asked to leave the flight. So first choice would be driving. If mom is attached to your sister it might be easier if she were to come and help get mom settled.
Before the trip consult her doctor find out if there are any conditions that might make the trip more dangerous for her. DVT is one that might be a concern. Less of a concern if you do the RV since she would be able to move about more easily
You can do one-way and fly your sister and helper home or they can have the RV and use it for a road trip home.
I want to say, well done taking mom off your sisters hands. Your sister sounds burned out and it is good you are stepping up. She might benefit from having the RV for a week after to get a much needed break and change of scenery.
OTOH, since she's going into MC anyways, why don't you just do it near where she lives now? Your sister won't have to do much or even better, you could be the contact person.
https://npidb.org/organizations/transportation_services/non-emergency-medical-transport-van_343900000x/tn/
You can check with her doctor about calming medication to give her before such a long trip, I would think. And then with the medical transport company about what their experience is with dementia patients in general?
A quick Google search says it's 1000 miles or a 15 hour trip from TN to NE! I don't know that such a trip is really feasible for a 93 year old, nor would the cost be affordable at ALL. Perhaps you should fly out to pick her up and bring her back on the plane with you. I think that's what I'd do; get a wheelchair to wheel her thru the airport, put her in a Depends disposable brief with an extra pad in it, pray to God she doesn't have a BM during the flight (no kidding, huh?), get those calming meds from the doc, and hope for the best. At least you'll have the flight over with in a few hours vs. 15 hours on the road!
You can also hire a flight nurse to accompany your mother on the plane instead of you! Here's a link to info about that option:
https://www.flyingangels.com/how-much-does-long-distance-medical-transport-cost/
BEST OF LUCK!!!
Like you I don't think the road trip is really feasible unless it is broken up into two days, but I don't know how great it will be flying either. Unless the patient is drugged into oblivion... take off and landing could be rough .... on them and the other passengers.