RV Transport for Elderly Mom

[EMD360]

I'd like your thoughts on bringing my mom from Chicago to Denver in our small Class C. She is 94 and in assisted living. Recovering from a broken leg, the cast is off, but her mobility is still limited. We are moving her to an assisted living home here in Arvada and I thought the most comfortable travel for her would be in the RV. Door to Door instead of trying to get through the airport and onto a plane. It is a 15 hour trip and I thought we would stop when she needed the bathroom etc. but otherwise drive straight through with 2 drivers. Her basic health is quite good so no worries about a heart attack or any major health issues on the road. I'm thinking she would be on the jackknife bed with a camping mattress to make her more comfortable and pillows to sit up when she wants. Is this a crazy plan? She can't believe I am planning for her to travel again!

[Islandman]

Many years ago while recovering from two broken legs, I was driven in my car from the hospital to home about two hundred miles away. Roads were fine and the car rode well, but the bouncing and vibration of the car tended to cause me problems for quite a few miles until I got used to it (and took some p;ain pills). Your RV probably has a stiff ride and the travel may not be pleasant for her. The train sounds like a fun trip and she will be well taken care of, might be best for one of you to fly to Chicago and then accompany her to Denver on the train. Will cost more but should be worth it.

[GMandJM]

A group of us took the California Zephyr from Chicago to Denver a number of years ago and had a four-bunk roomette or whatever they're called when they don't have a private bathroom (which apparently isn't really a room).

It was alot of fun (from what I remember)....but it was a REALLY LONG trip.

[dcason]

Train could be exciting and perhaps even fun...more fun the the rv. She might enjoy the attention of the train travel. Rv her when she is healed.

[darsben]

On the train the car attendant in both sleepers and coach ARE REQUIRED to bring food to the patron if requested.
MY wife has spinal cord injury and prefers the train to the plane. In a sleeper the attendant is very attentive.
At Chicago they have a motorized cart to take her from the first class lounge to the train and the attendant will get her to her roo which is 3 steps. If she cannot climb the steps the have a little device to lift her the 3 steps. After that with the handicap bedroom everything is on one floor,

Couple of links to peruse
http://www.amtrak.com/accessible-travel-services
virtual tour of sleeper including handicap bedroom found at
http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=AM_Accommodation_C&pagename=am%2FLayout&cid=1241210576085

meal service for disabled at
http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=Page&pagename=am%2FLayout&cid=1241267362161

[BillHoughton]

Do any of the states you'll be passing through require the use of seatbelts for passengers? Be a shame to get her all set up on the bed and then have to sit up uncomfortably for any of the trip.

Years back, my wife put her mom on the plane from Florida to Memphis. Went smoothly. If you request a wheelchair at both ends, you'll get express treatment, skip lines, etc.; and (at least in our limited air travel with my wife using a chair in the airport - bad hip), as her "attendant," I got to scurry along next to the wheelchair, skip the same lines, and so on.

And if any medical bobbles happen, there'll be trained staff at hand, not necessarily true on the road.

Neither way is perfect, and her opinion/desire matters a lot. As has been said, she might enjoy the sights better on the road more than in the air.

[Bobbo]

That is how I took my 85yo Mother from TN to CO to visit my sister. It was a 2 day drive, but she did well. My major concern would be how easily she could get into and out of the RV.

[GMandJM]

I gotta agree with The Biiscuit on driving straight through. That long of a trip would be taxing most anyone.

Sill think the MH idea has merit if Your Mom would enjoy a road trip. Just maybe not all in one 15-hour shot.

[Old-Biscuit]

WHY the driving straight thru.....for your benefit cause it isn't for your MOM's

Airplane.

Drove my folks from WY to FL
Get on the road by 9AM (on a good travel day)....pulling into a motel by 2PM

Airplane!

[ScottG]

Mfan wrote:
I'd fly. 94 and recovering fr broken leg climbing into a c? Good luck

Same here. The jouncing is going to be excruciating for her.

[EMD360]

Thanks for your quick input. I had not thought of the train. I know the airports were difficult for her in the past, even with a companion. I can get her up the steps and into the bathroom in our RV as I can do it in a small bathroom, but the length of the drive is questionable. Right about in and out of sleep. That is typical for her but probably not a problem. What if she gets really uncomfortable and I CANT change transportation methods? But that is true no matter what we choose.
I've taken the train to Chicago in a bunk room and it was reasonably comfortable, although we had to go to the dining car for meals, maybe handicapped will bring meals though.
I'll take more advice before I decide and of course see if she thinks the train is an option. She seems game for the RV, she had ridden in it before but only on short trips and before she broke her leg.

[Tiger4x4RV]

I am just coming out of a period of months in casts and wheelchairs and I am only 70 years old and fairly healthy otherwise. The thought of being the disabled person who is being transported that far in an RV - ugh! Getting in and out of the RV would be difficult enough.

Bathroom access would be probably difficult. Is the door large enough? Are there grab bars?

My vote would be the plane. Maybe be the train.

Take your mother on a nice RV trip when she is healed up and more mobile. She will enjoy it a lot more then.

[darsben]

midnightsadie wrote:
fly they take great care of you, and its all over in a couple hours. what you gonna do if you have a major break down on the highway, and its 103 degrees outside.

Any form of travel has its own risks.
MY DW has spinal cord injury and was stranded overnight in MSP due to weather in another city. No help from airline even though she use W/C. I managed to take care of problem by renting a limo to drive her to a hotel which I booked online. The next morning I had her picked up and dropped of at airport. Another time she was stranded at both MIA and JFK with no help from airline. Both delays were mechanical (they claimed) so no help. So an extra day in a hotel near MIA and a night in a hotel near JFK.
BS on great care; one airline was Delta another American.
I myself was left high and dry by Jetblue when I was returning to JFK from Dominican Republic. Plane was late coming in and the Jetblue people where not at the counter to receive my bag after customs. In addition there was no W/C for me to help me get to the Jetblue terminal from the international arrival building.

[GMandJM]

Wow! It sounds like an awesome opportunity for her, but the really big question is: How does SHE feel about it?

Other things to consider would be:
Can she make it up and down the steps safely?
Will she be able to safely use the bathroom in the RV?
Will she be able to put her leg(s) up, if the doctor has recommended that?
Will she be able to move around enough to prevent DVT?
15 hours is a long time all in one go.

I hope someone will still take me RVing if/when I'm 94!!!

[midnightsadie]

fly they take great care of you, and its all over in a couple hours. what you gonna do if you have a major break down on the highway, and its 103 degrees outside.

[tbred]

What is your mom saying? Maybe she'd enjoy the adventure of the drive!