Your dad had a stroke. Even a mild stroke will have his doctor warning you that he cannot drive for a while. Rules vary from one state to the next. His doctor has to give medical clearance, and some states require the patient to complete driver’s rehabilitation training. If your dad had a stroke, it could be months before he’s allowed to drive again. Someone needs to support him in the meantime. How do you make sure he has someone available to drive him around? It may be time to consider hospital to home care services for such needs.
Take Note of All of His Appointments
Create a list of all of the appointments your dad has. Consider all of the therapy sessions he’s going to have for physical, occupational, and speech therapy. You have eye exams, medical exams, dental check-ups, and haircuts. All of this will require him to have someone to drive him.
What Do You Drive?
If you have a car that sits low to the ground, your dad may have a hard time getting in and out of your car. You’ll have to help pull him to a standing position, and you’ll need to support him when he gets into your car. This may be a problem if you’re not used to lifting or supporting your dad’s weight.
Ideally, an SUV may be easier for him to get in and out of. If you can arrange to borrow an SUV for appointment days, it will be easier for you and your dad. If not, look into devices that help with transfers to and from the car.
Look Into Your Work’s FMLA Policies
FMLA allows you up to 12 weeks of unpaid time off to care for a family member. If you can afford to take time off without pay and qualify for FMLA, it’s a beneficial way to help your dad with transportation on appointment days. But, you may not have worked at your current job long enough to qualify.
You need to talk to your HR department. The general rule is that you must have worked for a full year and at least 1,250 hours in that year, which is just over 24 hours per week. If you’re newer to your job, FMLA won’t help out.
Arrange Hospital to Home Care
You can hire caregivers to provide transportation services. Your dad doesn’t have to drive for now. He can have a caregiver stop by to help him with household chores and drive him to area medical offices, stores, and other businesses. Not only does he have a driver available, but he has a companion to help him run errands.
Hospital to home care service is an ideal solution to transportation issues with your elderly dad. Instead of struggling to rearrange your workday and appointments for your kids and yourself, let hospital to home care aides help with your dad’s transportation needs. Call our home care agency to learn more.
A Trusted Skilled Medical and Non-Medical senior home care provider in Annapolis, Arnold, Severn, Guilford, Towson, Brooklandville, Catonsville, Cockeysville, Bel Air, Ellicott City, Columbia MD, and surrounding areas.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Hospital to Home Care Services in Arnold MD please contact the caring staff at Vital Sign Home Care today. (410) 814-0258
Venus had a stroke in 2018, she had no movement on the right side of her body and was unable to speak. Venus has made great progress since then and shows up everyday doing her best. She takes pride in overcoming obstacles and never giving up, which has allowed her to obtain a level of success in healthcare.
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