Getting elderly relative to hospital appointments - how?

[CrazyHorse]

DM is at the stage where she is fine living independently at home, can nip to the shop on her mobility scooter etc, but finding her way to hospital appointments is too much now. She refuses to take taxis and had trouble walking and probably wouldn't be able to fine the right department in the hospital if she hasn't been there before. She really needs to be escorted, especially when the weather is so cold. DSis isn't working the day of the next appointment, so will drive two hours each way to help. This isn't sustainable long term. What do other people do?

Hospital transport? It’s usually volunteer-run. DM did this when she needed daily radiotherapy.

My mum’s local surgery runs a volunteer hospital car service.
Ring them and ask about that.
You might need to book well in advance.

We have a volunteer transport in our neighbourhood. People will drive you down, take you in and then wait for you. You are expected to pay mileage and any parking fees so the volunteers aren’t left out of pocket. I’d have a look on Facebook or community page.

My MIL uses hospital transport. It needs to be booked in advance and can take a lot longer than a taxi if it's the type of transport that has several patients using it.

I used to have to take whole days off to get my Dad to and from appointments - it was 30 minutes to his flat, then another 30 minutes to get him out the door, 30 minutes back to the hospital, hours sat at one outpatient clinic after another, then a rebooked appointment, 30 minutes home for Dad, an hour or so settling Dad back in, and then 30 minutes home. I felt that really he was getting little benefit as he'd be exhausted for days after (he was early 80s by this stage). So when he went to his GP the next time, I went with him and explained how much it was taking out of Dad attending all these appointments (diabetic clinic, eye screening, physiotherapy, rheumatology, podiatry) and that I couldn't keep taking entire days off to enable it. They were great, and made a note on his medical records that Dad was too frail and his care was then GP based. At some stage, I think you have to accept that age and frailty leads to a decline in health that doesn't need constant hospital assessment.

We used to sit in outpatient clinics clogged with elderly patients - and beware that hospital transport is likely to be a whole day. They drop you in the morning (never suitable if its an early appointment) and then they round everyone up again around 4pm. That in itself can be exhausting especially if someone is sat in a wheelchair for that entire time. I used to work in care and had many escort visits that had me nearly chewing my own arm off in frustration at it all.

Hospital transport, they use mini bus or ambulance, used to helping with mobility, absolute god send for my DM.

I don't know hospital transport was a thing! I'm learning so much having an elderly relative. Thank you for the suggestions.

Hospital transport is an option but as PP said it's a long day for the patient and they'd have to be ready to be collected sometimes hours before the appointment.

Could you take her to help your DSis? Or go with her in a taxi?

My grandfather had Parkinson's. When he had hospital appointments hospital transport would be booked. One day they collected him at 9am, his appointment was at 11am. He was taken to the correct clinic in the hospital by a porter then basically left in the waiting room in his wheelchair until his appointment time. After his appt, the nurse rang the transport for him to be collected. A porter took him back down to the entrance to wait. He was eventually collected at 5pm and got home at 6pm. He had not eaten, not had his midday meds, had wet himself because he was unable to get to the toilet or speak. It was appalling. From then on, between the family we always accompanied him to hospital appointments,

Yes hospital transport. They're great in our area. They make sure they're safe and comfortable on their arrival back at home too.
We have to ring a week in advance to book, they take a lot of details so they can send the appropriate help.

I drive as a volunteer for the RVS locally to me and we do this - a small charge is made but much cheaper than a taxi and I take the client in to their appointment

Just thought of something else. I used to make mums appointments late in the day if I could, she wasn't good at getting up early, so could take her time.

Dm uses a local volunteer service, either to be driven from A to B or the volunteer can accompany. She pays an annual subscription and charge for petrol etc according to mileage and support involved. Local council or Age UK branch should have a register of any such local support schemes.

Just in case anyone hasn’t investigated this- I take DM to appointments, and am very lucky that my work has a carers policy and allows me the time to do this (I still get paid for those few hours).

worth the ask for anyone not sure on employment terms

DM uses local community transport, cheaper than taxi and she likes all the drivers, used to driving elderly to appointments

Hmm, from what I'm discovering hospital transport isn't great in my area.

DSis has said she can't take DM to the appointment, so it's left to me to come up with a solution as I'm the only sibling who has stayed local. I've made myself DMs carer by default, according to DSis . I think asking a friend will be the best option for now. I feel DM is quite vulnerable when she's out and about on her own because waking is difficult, her hearing is poor and her processing/speech slow. Yet she thinks she's fine to be totally independent.

Work is understanding if I miss a day because I've been In A&E overnight with DM, but I couldn't just pop out, or take holiday due to the type of contract I have.

Have you looked to see whether there is any sort of community transport in the area?

@CrazyHorse what's the reason for her refusal to take a taxi? Although, from what you say, she wouldn't be able to navigate from front entrance to clinic, so not really an option anyway.

No experience other than having seen a car locally but Driving MissDaisy provides this service: driving and accompanying the patient.
drivingmissdaisy.co.uk/

I’m in Fife and have been told there’s no such thing as hospital transport any more. I’ve to get to the Vic hospital three times a week after my surgery and I’m not allowed to drive myself. I can’t afford a taxi for a 40 mile round trip. So, no surgery for me.

If you don't drive, taxi is the only solution.
Tell dmum you are booking it for her.

Just out of interest I googled NHS Fife patient transport and there are still options. One is to claim expenses in certain cases. The Scottish ambulance service can also assist. It mentions talking to your GP. It is definitely not as clear cut as when my mum used it but it sounds like whoever told you it doesn't exist didn't understand the possibilities

Is she getting attendance allowance? This is the sort of thing it should be used for. Have a look (word of mouth/Facebook) for people that are private carers/support workers and see if one of them can help mum going forwards. You'll pay an hourly rate but they will take mum to the hospital and into the appointment etc.

Obviously request proof of a recent dbs, insurance and care training, and ask if you can speak to a current client/clients family etc.

You could use a company like helping hands or home instead, I think' they are both nationwide, the hourly rate will be much higher but are registered companies etc.

My parents and IL's always used taxis. If you can find a good local one, they are a godsend. They get to know you, and are very attentive. Both sets of parents had two or three drivers they got to know very well as they were regular users.

OP, please be aware that hospital transport will not personally escort or look after your mum. It does what it says on the tin. Also, they naturally work to a schedule, so for example 8am pick up and 6pm drop off. If your mum's appointment is midday for example then that's a very long day and a lot of waiting around on her own and without any help. Can you find a taxi service in your area that specialises in hospital visits. Alternatively could you, or you mum, pay for a carer/driver just to deal with hospital appointments? I've been in your position and I know how hard it is.