Kaiser Permanente requires this. I am 89 yrs old. The surgery will be in March. My son has died. My daughter works in the Artic Circle. I have outlived friends & other family. I don't know how to comply with Kaiser's requirement. They say I cannot drive myself and cannot take a taxi. They want someone there - I suppose in case I die. Is there a volunteer service in Bakersfield or some other service to help me?
Please don't hesitate to call. Even if you have to be a pest keep asking for a social worker or whoever else they think would help you. Perhaps even the Financial Services Department or the Chaplain's Office (almost all hospitals have a clergy with whom to speak, usually it's called the Chaplain's Office). Good luck to you. Le us know how you make out. Also please consider there might be alternatives to K-P that would be more willing to help a patient through a time and a procedure such as this.
I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your son. What kind of work does your daughter do in the Artic Circle? That sounds quite exciting!
Another thing to ask your doc, if you are getting a pain medication or other post surgery medication or needs (like some sort of speciality bandages or creams), see if doc can give you the Rx or post-surgery wound care details BEFORE the surgery so you can get it filled or buy whatevers. Some won't & if that's the case, your hired help will have to get those prescriptions filled and errands done for you after you get home from Kaiser. Having to wait to get pain meds filled post surgery at an overcrowded CVS when it's dicey to leave the recently discharged at home alone, is one of my pet peeves - most docs are understanding but some act like everybody sells their oxycontin prescriptions.
Hiring will cost but it will solve the problem and IF in the future you need extra help for another medical situation you already have a system you can count on. Good luck too.
https://www.agingcare.com/local/Area-Agency-on-Aging