I have a dilemma that I need input on. Mom is bedridden with Alzheimer's, Dementia, COPD, and Parkinson and one of her legs is a bit contracted. What do you do when she has to go to the doctor and they will not permit a stretcher, but even with wheelchair they will not work on her unless she is on their table; BUT they will not assist you at all to get her from the wheelchair to their table!! This is just for a podiatry visit to look at some nail fungus! To make matters worse I have to hire a private ambulance to make this visit work.
The bigger issue is when mom says she doesn't feel good but when you inquire where it hurts, she is unable to tell you exactly. At what time do you call an ambulance to take her to the ER as that would be easier then arranging for a doctors visit?
As for calling an ambulance to go to ER - ask others in your area how it works. In Houston, they have tried to stop people from abusing ambulance transport and if doesn't appear you are dying, they will tell you to call a cab. Mom has history of spinal compression fractures and had to call them at one point when she could not get up, walk, and I was unable to lift her onto wheelchair. First the firetruck comes - they tell me I can put her in the car and take her to her dr. Explain I can't lift her. Next ambulance comes and we go through same conversation and which point I tell them if I could lift her into a chair and take her to dr I would have already done it - I weight 113 and she's nearly 190 - I manage what I physically can without help and this one is too much - explain compression fracture history again. Finally after explaining this to EACH man who was on firetruck and ambulance, they agree to load her up. At 95 years old and looking at situation, no one should have to beg them to take her to er.
I also have to say, that doctor's office doesn't sound very good. Even when we could still get my grandmother to offices in a wheelchair, there was no way we could get her up on the table. When a doctor needed her there, they would call for a couple of techs to help. We never had a problem with that.
Best of luck with your Mom.
If she can’t tell you when/where it hurts, it can be an excruciating decision as to what to do. I wish there were easy answers to this one.
Hugs 🤗
1. Rent a wheelchair that reclines if she doesn't already have one. Or change her wheelchair to this type. That way she doesn't have to get on tables at doctors appointments, they can just recline her in the chair and then you can raise legs with the leg rests.
2. Have someone go with you to her appointment to help her get on the table.
3. If all else fails, then an ER trip is something you have to do. I've learned that an ER trip is perfectly okay to do for whatever is going on. Just because it's not something major, it's still something that needs to be looked at. She needs care and so you should take her any place that will do so.