The least expensive way to transport an elderly patient long-distance?

Question

Social services has required an elderly friend to leave her home and move in with her daughter, who lives in the Mid-West USA (our elderly friend lives in NYC). She is disabled and not able to get around on her own; she is not ill at the present, though she does have a heart condition, which makes the idea of just putting her in a car and driving for 12 hours a bad one. I know there are ambulettes and air transport, all of which cost A LOT of money. I was wondering if any of you know of less expensive methods of safely transporting someone who is feeble and needs to be watched while traveling.

Answer 1

you may be able to get a free flight for her on a angel flight, contact your local red cross

Answer 2

What about renting a van?  Your friend could lie down and you would have room for whatever medical supplies she needs.  Good luck and God bless.

Answer 3

have someone go with her and fly.  It is fast,although the cost may be expensive, she has less traveling time and should be easier on her.  Good luck and why isn't her daughter worring about this?

Answer 4

The best and quickest way is by air but if a car is comfortable and there are both a driver and another passenger to tend to her needs she should be able to tolerate driving as long as there are frequent stops and the trip is broken up over several days.

Answer 5

How about having her travel by bus on the Greyhound line? Or you could see if Amtrak trains have connecting stops in the Mid-West . Another idea is to hire someone to drive her out there.  

Answer 6

My first thought was to say just fly, but Mr. Ed has a very valid point...traveling by air these days is often a hassle. If there's anyway a friend could drive her half-way, could her daughter not meet them and then complete the trip?

Seems that there's no easy answer to this. I sincerely hope that things can be worked out and I wish her well.  

Answer 7

well if she is under 6 feet and say not over 150 pounds and you know some one who has ford escape with it lay down seats you could make a nice bed and the trip should take no more than 12 hours -- now days by the time you check in to the airport two hours early -- and a 20 or so minute delay in taking off and after a 23/4 hour flight have a 1 hour to find baggage it is just about as quick!!!

Answer 8

Have you thought about borrowing or renting a camper . . .the kind with a bed in it ? ? ?   Although with the price of gas, flying may be the cheapest way to go ! !  

Answer 9

A train would be a very nice smooth ride and she could lie down. Check out the train routes and schedules, should be cheaper than driving, and more comfortable.