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It is very difficult to find transportation to/from hospital for surgical procedures if you live in a state where you have no family and are elderly. Social Services are not much help as the hospital has strict rules about patients leaving under anesthesia. Companies like Soonercare, Uber a Cab are not allowed to drive a patient home due to insurance. A neighbor, a church member however can, but most are at work or elderly as well. Any suggestions? Thank you.

Honestly I would just check on nextdoor
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Reply to PeggySue2020
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The reason that Uber, cabs, and medical transport can not take post surgical patients is that somebody must be responsible for the patient for the next 24 hours. It can take that long - longer for seniors - for anesthesia to be processed and excreted from the body. Problems of anesthesia include: poor judgment, incoordination that can lead to falls, respiratory depression, and difficulty remembering when to take medications or eat. If nobody will be at home with the patient for the next 24 hours, tell the doctor/staff and they will allow you to stay in a observation status in a local hospital.
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Reply to Taarna
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There are 2 things here: 1) transportation back from the hospital where the surgical procedure takes place; and 2) depending on the state (MI, NY, etc.) & its specific regulations, there may very well be a regulation/law stipulating that a person who has been under anesthesia for surgery (even ambulatory) must have someone stay with them for a certain period of time (i.e. 24 hours) when he/she is ready to go back to their residence. This is complicated and various people have already weighed in with suggestions, but most likely -- again depending on the state where the person lives --both things (transportation + person to stay with the patient) have to be addressed. Good luck!
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Reply to Christine44
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Contact the insurance company...they often times have Transporation services...my mother used it for my step dad.
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Reply to Evonne1954
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GabbyS: Check with the Council on Aging in your locality where they have volunteers to provide this service.
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Reply to Llamalover47
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Check with the Senor Center where you live there may be a Volunteer Network that will provide rides to seniors.
And I have to say this....
Your friends and neighbors do want to help out but they need to know what you need done. Do not be afraid to ask. The same with your church group. If it can be arranged it will be and if not then they will let you know.
In most cases for the Volunteer Network I know the one in my area would like enough notice that they can get a Volunteer. The same with your friends and Church group. A Week notice would be great 2 weeks would be even better.
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Reply to Grandma1954
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There are volunteer groups designed to help people just like you. They drive you there, stay there while you are having the procedure, drive you home and may stay with you for a while to make sure you're okay.

They are usually called something like Volunteers in Action or Faith in Action. Look those up to find out if you have any near you. You must sign up as a client well in advance of needing the ride. They may require that they visit you at home (need to protect their volunteers from bad or dangerous home situations). You'll have to fill out forms. Often they need three weeks' notice to get you on the schedule.

If that doesn't work, you can hire someone from Visiting Angels or some other home health business to take you and bring you home. Their "Angels" do a lot of that. You might be able to find a driver who isn't affiliated with a company. I've had drivers who work on their own and specialize in taking elders to medical appointments. One of them had worked in a doctor's office, and when she semi-retired, she started her own ride service. Look around and see who you can find.
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Reply to Fawnby
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I think the dilemma involves more than the ride. After a surgical procedure, the patient remains mentally impaired for a few hours following anesthesia. Most medical providers not only want to restrict driving, they also want someone to be with the patient for several hours after discharge as patients can be a fall risk after surgery. Contacting the hospital's social services department is the best resource to see what paid or volunteer services are available to protect the patient's well-being after discharge.
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Reply to StillWorking
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A call to the hospital social services will give you this answer.
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Reply to RetiredBrain
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Where are you located? A number of companies provide outpatient medical transportation, and assistance getting the patient back into their home, after a procedure, for a fee. Google search "outpatient transportation after a procedure" for your local area, to pre-arrange services.
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Reply to Naimka
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There are Medical Transport Services that can be your responsible party for pick up, but they are expensive. It is sometimes necessary to hire a home health care worker for a shift that would cover pick up after surgery. Not all agencies will provide that service, and there is usually a required minimum number of hours youhave to payfor even if all you need is the ride home. If you live in a metropolitan area, their may be a Senior Services Agency that has volunteers who accompany people to surgeries and provide the ride home. It's good to find out what your options are ahead of time so you can make arrangements when you need them.
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Reply to RedVanAnnie
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Hello: Where are you located.
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Reply to seniorconnect
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Call your local Redcross they may have drivers. If your on Medicaid, the supply transportation too.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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MikeinTexas Mar 18, 2025
If there is a local Catholic Charities (or similar charity service), they may offer a car service or know how to help you. Their services are non-denominational. Good luck.
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I would discuss this with the MD doing the procedure.
This rule can be bypassed, they can keep you longer if a light anesthesia if you have no one there when they feel you SHOULD have someone.

If they can't help I am afraid you are down to hiring someone to provide transportation home.

Wishing you luck.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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This will largely depend on your local area. Where I live there is someone who takes people to their medical appointments, procedures, or surgeries, and stays with them until ready to go home. They are driven home and made comfortable before being left. The person also offers to take notes for the patient or their interested family. I only know of it from seeing it on NextDoor. Consider joining NextDoor in your community and see if there may be something similar
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Reply to Daughterof1930
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