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Transporting a Disabled Parent

Caring for an elderly parent is a labor of love. However, it can also be very stressful, especially if the parent has mobility problems. From just being unstable on the feet to being unable to walk due to injury or medical conditions to varying degrees of paralysis, the issues could be varied. It is important to remember that while caring for a parent with mobility problems is tough, it is even harder on the parent.

Depression

A loss of mobility leads to a feeling of being dependent on others. This can often lead to feelings of guilt at being a burden on the rest of the family. In addition, and often a more serious matter, is that the limitations that the lost mobility results in can lead to depression. This, in turn, can cause other medical issues or exacerbate existing ones. That is why it is important to provide the parent with mobility assistance and a way of traveling that is safe and designed to meet their needs.

Around The Home

Setting up the home to make movement as easy as possible can make a world of difference to the parent. Replacing steps with ramps, where possible, to allow for wheelchair access, creating doorways broad enough for the wheelchair to pass through, removing rugs to make using a walker easier, installing hand holds and grab bars are just a few of the modifications that could be done. These will not normally affect the comfort the others in the home but it will allow the parent to be more mobile indoors and by doing this, feel like less of a burden on the others.

Outside The Home

Being able to travel outside the home is also important. This does not just mean going to the doctor or hospital for treatment and other essential travel. Social visits and other recreational activities are also important. The issue here is that of safety. In many cases, a normal car or van is not suitable for transporting the partially or fully immobile. Special facilities may be required to entering and exiting the vehicle. Inside there must be secure seating or space for a wheelchair or stretcher to be securely placed.

This may sound like a description of an ambulance, but that is incorrect. An ambulance is meant only for emergency medical treatment and transport. Transporting those with mobility issues who do not require emergency medical treatment does not fall into this category. That does not mean that there is no way out.

Non-Emergency Medical Transportation

Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) refers to a specialized service that is designed to safely transport the partially or fully immobile on journeys that are not emergencies. The vehicles are specially equipped to meet the needs of these special passengers and carry the equipment required to ensure that the trip is a safe one. The drivers are trained in the care that must be taken in transporting these passengers. When transporting a parent or loved one with a professional NEMT company that is insured, licensed and bonded you can be sure that they will be cared for to the highest standards and treated with respect and consideration to make the journey as comfortable as possible. One way of being sure that you have chosen the best NEMT service is to check the testimonials they have received. That will give a true unbiased picture of how good they are.
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