Take 90 yo grandmother to WDW???

[DisneyMom23Boys]

Hi!

We are preparing for our next vacation 5/5 with a Disney Cruise on the Wonder, followed by a week at OKW.

Just recently my father purchased a home in FL (we're from PA). He & my mom are heading down in a week or so & I offered to take my grandmother along to visit with them while we go on the cruise.

My 90 yo grandmother broke her hip about 4-5 years ago & has been living with my parents ever since. My dad wanted to take her along to FL right away (Silver Springs), but I suggested that he & my mom go alone for the time before (I cannot honestly tell you the last time my parents went away alone together (or lived alone (my sister & her family live at home, too!)

Anyway, I would love so much for my parents & grandmother to join us at WDW, but...
1. My grandmother walks gingerly with a cane & we would obviously need to use a wheelchair.
2. We leave at 7-8 am and don't get back to our resort until VERY late.
3. When my grandmother gets tired who will take her back?
4. She is a picky eater, eats like a bird & takes forever to finish a meal.
5. She obviously won't be able to go on all of the attractions.
6. Sometimes she spends >30 min. just going to the restroom.

I am hoping that my mom may be able to come & spend the week with us (she LOVES parks). My grandmother will stay with my dad (he's not a big crowd lover). Maybe my grandmother & dad could join us for just one day and we'd enjoy that special family day together without the overload.

Of course, there's the fact that our family (dh, 3 ds's (12, 9 & 6) & myself are driving straight through to FL from PA & are wondering how Grammy will do. She did this with us before, but that was 7 years ago before she broke her hip & became dependent on us.

Thanks for any advise you can provide.

Are there any phone #'s to speak to a CM at WDW regarding my concerns?

Thanks!

Deb

 

[minkydog]

As dependent as it sounds like your Grammy is, you're going to need to revise your plans. You can't reasonable expect her to keep up at your breakneck pace. Even on the trip down, she needs to have frequent stops to walk(prevents her from throwing a blood clot) and plenty water, which will no doubt result in lots of potty breaks, as well.An off-site wheelchair is a must--you've got to have workable transportation at your resort. You might want to consider a handicapped accessible room for the better equipped bathroom space.

My DH is not 90, but he has severe heart disease. Our days of getting up early and closing down the parks are gone forever. He has to have oxygen and naps, and we never know just how long. Add to that our autistic & over-stimulated son and you know just how interesting vacation can be.Our plans can turn on a dime.

I suggest you talk over ideas with your folks and come up with some workable plans before you leave. Unless you really think this through , with contingencies, I foresee lots of resentment and hurt feelings on the horizon.

 

[DisneyMom23Boys]

Hi!

Thank you for your honest reply & suggestions.

Unfortunately, there is already resentment from my grandmother because my parents are going down without her & she feels that no one loves her.

We've been trying to think this through, keeping my grandmother's health concerns & feelings in mind. I would suggest that she fly, but she absoultely refuses to. My mom has yet to mention anything about my grandmother possibly going down with us & there's a possibility that she may remain home with my sister & her family.

Thank you for the reminder about the blood clots, H2O, etc. I have thought about the handicap access. We're staying at OKW & I know that I would need to request a handicap room for obvious medical reasons. On our last trip we met a couple that was able to receive a complimentary wheelchair from OKW to use during their stay, too, and we would bring along Grammy's wheelchair seat cushion for more comfort. She uses a walker (unlike the cane I mentioned earlier - don't know where that thought came from, since she's never used a cane?? )

Even if she did go down with us o.k., doing a 180 to come back home in only a week will add to the toll, as well.

I feel that we (my parents & I) need to speak with my grandmother's doctors and get their input, as well.

My mom also mentioned that FL does not provide the same amount of home-care as provided here in PA. I may need to check into that further, as well.

Again, Thank you so much!

 

[spiceycat]

Fl provides more homecare than any other state in the union -they have more retirees.

My mother is 82 - I have always (so far) gotten a free wheelchair at OKW and she loves it.

Now you might not like it - you have to push it.

Mother has tried one of those ECV and hated it and refuses to consider one.

I just go with my Mother can do - now we don't live together - and won't.

but I know I will back to WDW and she might not. Now this year I am going without her - that was surpose to be a solo trip - but a friend is coming along. She promises to leave me alone however - so that should work.

but is sounds like you have some people going and alot of different ages.

do something in the morning that your grandmother can do - then take her back to the resort and let her rest - this is where homecare comes it - lots of elder don't like to be alone. then if she feels like it - take her out at night if she wants to go.

don't expect her to stand up to the Florida sun - it is very intense.