Fairy Godmother for Elderly Family Member?

[DAniece]

I'm known as EG on radp. November of 2005 we took our dear aunt (DA) to WDW, her first visit since the early 1970s. DA had a stroke on December 1st -- we expect that eventually (within the next 18 months) she'll be able to be on her own for 6 to 8 hrs per day -- but for now she needs supervision. We expect that the 3 of us (MrIncredible, DA, and myself) will be taking a trip to WDW in December 2007 as a group (we may go before then also). Our big concern is confusion and mobility problems in the evenings if we went out for some alone time.

My question
Has anyone used the Fairy Godmother service @ WDW for an elderly family member? Can you recommend another liscensed or vetted service to come and sit with an elderly family member?

Thank you in Advance,
EG

 

[Feralpeg]

There is a service here in Orlando called "Granny Nannies". I really don't know much about it other than remember seeing the commercials. In the commercials, it appeared to be a service that will go to a person's home to care for the elderly. Maybe they could help.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Have you thought about respite care for your aunt while you are on vacation? It may be tough for her to travel all together. I know they often have respite care for the caregiver of Alzheimers patients. My dad would go for a weekend or longer every so often to give my mom a break.

 

[DAniece]

We had considered respite care for the nearest trip (March 2007) -- but she's progressing so rapidly that we feel like the trip will do her good. She LOVES to travel and is very comfortable with the idea of staying at POFQ. In fact, her progress is going so well that my DH (Mr Incredible) is beginning to think that she may be able to be alone for a short while during the trip (afterall, it's 2 months away). If she's having trouble or seeming disoriented, we'd simply cancel our evening plans even if we had a companion/sitter.

She has no idea that we're considering taking her in March. That trip was originally set up to celebrate our god-niece's 21st birthday -- the god-niece is crazy to meet DearAunt & she originally asked if DA was coming along. So, we're going to play it by ear (we have 2 rooms reserved, a double and a king). GN had foot surgery on December 17th, so she'll need an ECV in the parks AND with DA's stroke, she'll need an ECV too. If you happen to see 2 blonde adults w/ a young looking lady and an older looking lady (both redheads & in ECVs) -- that'll be us!

The original plan was to go to WDW w/ DA for New Years's just past. I changed those reservations to early December this year -- to celebrate one year post stroke. And she's coming to accept that ECVs are going to be a part of her life in the coming year or so, so we expect that trip will go well.

Okay, I've rambled a bit,
Thanks for the help!
EG

 

[SueM in MN]

GN had foot surgery on December 17th, so she'll need an ECV in the parks AND with DA's stroke, she'll need an ECV too. If you happen to see 2 blonde adults w/ a young looking lady and an older looking lady (both redheads & in ECVs) -- that'll be us!

You may want to have DA practice at some stores first with an ECV (Stores like grocery stores, Target and Walmart have them as a courtesy for guests).
Depending on what areas her stroke affected, she may not have all the skills needed to drive one safely. Especially if she is confused at times, gets flustered if she makes mistakes or has any deficits in her sight (depending on the stroke, some people may have visual field problems on one side, so they are essentially blind to one side).
If you do get one for her, have her practice and get comfortable with going forward, turning to both sides and backing before she goes anywhere with traffic.
If you plan on going in the busy time of December or March, it may be safer and more pleasant if you get a wheelchair for her. Even if it's not busy, some people find that driving an ECV in the parks is much more tiring than a wheelchair. You have to be constantly vigilant to what is going on around you and ready to stop at short notice.

 

[DAniece]

Sue,

Thanks for pointing that out! DH and I were wary of her driving an ECV after the stroke. We even told her that unless she could handle one safely and in crowds, it wouldn't be an option.

She's been practicing in stores since before the stroke. The stroke was actually 2 days post-op open heart surgery -- we had been encouraging her to use the store-ECVs b/c we knew that shortness of breath and exhaustion would be issues after open heart surgery PLUS she has CHF and we've already been discussing the need for her to get/use an ECV at WDW & thought that practice would be NECESSARY.

Luckily, she doesn't have left field cut -- some left neglect but that's resolving with cues & practice. She used an ECV on Wednesay for the 3rd time since coming home from the rehab hospital (that day marked 2 wks home) -- she did great! Didn't run into anything or anyone, was able to manage like a pro, even backed it up and parked it just as we found it (I was the hesitant one on that!)

We're pretty sure we're going to rent at parks -- so that we can take our car to the parks -- if it's too much, then we'll get a wheelchair instead. We go as early as possible to parks anyway, so hopefully ECVs will be available AND the crowds won't be too heavy.

Thanks again,
EG

 

[Deb & Bill]

It may be easier to rent an ECV from a rental place so you will be assured to have it when you need it. I think they go pretty fast in the parks and you might get to a park and not get one. Unless a wheelchair would work for you, too. The Disabilities Board has lots of info about renting from outside companies.

 

[fan_of_small_world]

I don't have any advice for you, but there is a forum on the Dis called DISabilities. There is a lot of information there as well as some wonderful posters who would be more than happy to give you suggestions.

You sound like a really wonderful person for organizing all of this and for taking such good care of your aunt. I hope you all have a great trip!!

 

[DAniece]

Thank you

Just wanted to comment that I love your signature. DH and I have become huge JB fans in recent years and "One Particular Harbor" is his favorite

EG