topic Re: Disabled/elderly shuttle in Among Friends

Disabled/elderly shuttle

chrystaltree — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 05:49:03 GMT

Well, that didn't work. I have an opthalmologist visit tomorrow. She'll dilate my eyes so I can't drive myself. I decided to take the shuttle rather than asking hubby to take the day off. My bff is on vacation so I couldn't ask her to drive me. My appointment is 10am, I asked to be picked up at 9:30. They called with a 10:20 pickup time which means I won't even get there until 10:50 at the earliest. If they can take me late, that will interfere with my return time. I could take Lyft or Uber but that will cost me at least $50. I just don't want to pay that much. Plus my shoulder really hurts and I can't sleep. Sitting here waiting here for the gabapentin to kick in and make me drowsy. Maybe it has and that's why I'm babbling. Lol. I'll reschedule my appointment.

Re: Disabled/elderly shuttle

elated — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 06:17:55 GMT

I had an ophthalmologist appointment and they dilated my eyes. The only thing it effected was the brightness of the sunlight. I just put on sunglasses and drove home. It was about 15 minutes from my home.

Re: Disabled/elderly shuttle

haddon9 — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 07:45:13 GMT

Why can't you drive?

Every time that I have gotten my eyes dilated, I just wore sunglasses. Your doctor should have the disposable ones that you can pop on.

My vision was never affected at all.

Re: Disabled/elderly shuttle

ThinkingOutLoud — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 10:46:49 GMT

Sounds like you could benefit from a larger support network. A neighborhood or church community perhaps?

Re: Disabled/elderly shuttle

AngelPuppy1 — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 10:52:24 GMT

@chrystaltree

Sorry the transport did not work for you. I have a relative that has issues with this as well. It makes it hard for her to make appointments and know that she will arrive on time. So far, I have been able to drive myself when I have the dilation. It's not the most pleasant but thankfully I live pretty close to my eye doctor and I just wear dark glasses and have had no serious issues. Hope your shoulder feels better!

Re: Disabled/elderly shuttle

Shanus — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 10:56:04 GMT

@chrystaltree I get it. DH takes me and picks me up for eye appts. My eyes are quite sensitive and stay dilated for many hrs. after my appointment.

My few friends are older than me and no longer drive. I'm always concerned what will happen when/if I'm on my own.

Re: Disabled/elderly shuttle

PinkyPetunia — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 13:03:28 GMT

I drive myself when eyes get dilated. Like others have said, the sunglasses are needed.

I am widowed now and I worry about transport if I need a procedure (colonoscopy in a few years, maybe cataract removal) or have to go to the hospital. I will have to Uber. Maybe the doctor's office will have suggestions or can recommend private drivers.

Re: Disabled/elderly shuttle

shoptilyadropagain — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 13:10:35 GMT

I also just wear sunglasses and drive myself back to work. My appt is normally at 11:00 a.m. so I even go grab a sandwich and eat and then head to a box store to pick up some items before driving back to work. I wear my sunglasses the whole time.

Re: Disabled/elderly shuttle

We rescue cats — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 13:56:42 GMT

I usually do not worry about an eye exam but part of that is the fact that my optometrist is a 5 minute drive from our home. But my optometrist has temporarily closed his office and the replacement is 30 minutes away in the crazier, busier part of town so this past appointment I had a friend with me to drive me home. Part two of the equation is that my left eye gives me fits due to a retina issue I'm struggling with, so better safe than sorry. I fully understand @chrystaltree .

Re: Disabled/elderly shuttle

chrystaltree — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 13:58:50 GMT

I've had my eyes dilated a gazillion times. Since I have very limited vision in my left eye, I will not take chances by driving myself when they dilate my eyes, not even with sunglasses. I value my life and the lives others on the road too much for that. I lucked out, they had a cancellation so I can go in next week. My bff will be back from vacation and she'll be happy to drive me. I'm trying to get all my routine appointments done by the end of November to avoid weather problems.

Re: Disabled/elderly shuttle

occasionalrain — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 21:16:33 GMT

The elderly are under served , especially in communities that haven't Uber, Lyft, or even taxi service. As people age, they lose spouses, friends die, move away, or no longer drive. Medicare and insurance are worthless if they haven't transportation.

Re: Disabled/elderly shuttle

Sooner — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 14:15:09 GMT

@chrystaltree I am sorry you are having these issues, and pray you find a satisfactory solution and things work out.

Along with help, people sometimes offer what seems like harsh judgment because they haven't been in your shoes or suffered along with relatives who are. If they are lucky they might not some day understand where you are coming from. If they are very fortunate they won't.

Re: Disabled/elderly shuttle

ThinkingOutLoud — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 15:10:29 GMT

@occasionalrain wrote:
The elderly are undeserved, especially in communities that haven't Uber, Lyft, or even taxi service. As people age, they lose spouses, friends die, move away, or no longer drive. Medicare and insurance are worthless if they haven't transportation.

Balogna. In years past, neighbors and church communities were the go to when help was needed that family couldn't provide. Government should have never replaced that - it wasn't their role then and it's not now - and we don't need insurance rates to increase either which is what would happen if they implemented what you're suggesting.

Re: Disabled/elderly shuttle

Sooner — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 16:19:50 GMT

@ThinkingOutLoud wrote:
@occasionalrain wrote:
The elderly are undeserved, especially in communities that haven't Uber, Lyft, or even taxi service. As people age, they lose spouses, friends die, move away, or no longer drive. Medicare and insurance are worthless if they haven't transportation.
Balogna. In years past, neighbors and church communities were the go to when help was needed that family couldn't provide. Government should have never replaced that - it wasn't their role then and it's not now - and we don't need insurance rates to increase either which is what would happen if they implemented what you're suggesting.

@ThinkingOutLoud OK. I agree with you that government is now doing a lot of things it shouldn't. Also I know several who has no family, no relatives, friends have all died or moved, attend church only by video or not affiliated, basic services need to be considered for people like that through medicare or insurance for funding for transportation for those who have NONE available.

That would be a drop in the bucket compared to a lot that is free-for-all who don't work now.

Re: Disabled/elderly shuttle

occasionalrain — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 16:42:29 GMT

@Sooner

My post was general not personal. I'm fortunate in that I have access to transportation, family available, but there are others who don't.

If the government can provide free lunches, subsidized rent, subsidized childcare, free Covid tests and vaccine...they can surely provide for those who have worked, paid taxes, voted, and now depend on SS. It seems that there are those who expect them to just depend on the kindness of strangers. To me that's shameful.

Re: Disabled/elderly shuttle

Lucky Dog — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 17:04:21 GMT

@Sooner :Is there harsh judgement in this thread?

Re: Disabled/elderly shuttle

mrshckynut — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 17:05:08 GMT

@chrystaltree

as others have said i have had my eyes dilated many times and drove with sunglasses with no issue

mrshckynut

Re: Disabled/elderly shuttle

ThinkingOutLoud — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 17:39:20 GMT

@occasionalrain wrote:
@Sooner
My post was general not personal. I'm fortunate in that I have access to transportation, family available, but there are others who don't.

If the government can provide free lunches, subsidized rent, subsidized childcare, free Covid tests and vaccine...they can surely provide for those who have worked, paid taxes, voted, and now depend on SS. It seems that there are those who expect them to just depend on the kindness of strangers. To me that's shameful.

None of that should be happening - for a few reasons - and neighbors/church communities should/need not be strangers

so you're 'shameful' description doesn't apply.

Re: Disabled/elderly shuttle

occasionalrain — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 17:46:03 GMT

A senior should not have to make friends with neighbors so they can impose upon them later, nor join a church so members can provide charity rides. They paid their taxes and deserve a share in the rewards.

Re: Disabled/elderly shuttle

Etoile308 — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 17:46:31 GMT

Personally I think scheduling a shuttle at 9:30 for a 10:00 appointment is a miscalculation. I would request at least a 9:00, or better 8:30 pickup. Doesn't matter the distance. My experience is that one is not always the sole passenger. Others are also picked up and dropped off. Time frames are fluid. I would rather be very early and sit in the waiting room reading than be late.

But I've also never needed a ride after an eye appointment. Like others I grab the disposable eyeglasses. Often using them with my regular sunglasses. I also wait a while before driving. If there's somewhere close by I spend time there. Have a beverage, have lunch, browse a store. Since my current doctor is in a medical facility with nothing interesting around, I sit and listen to an audio book for a while.