It’s one of the first places living alone runs into the healthcare system. You schedule a colonoscopy, a cataract surgery or a minor procedure, and someone asks: “Who is driving you home?”
For many people aging on their own, that question is the hardest part of the whole appointment. Some even put off care because they don’t have an answer. You don’t have to.
Why facilities ask
Sedation and anesthesia can affect your judgment, balance and reaction time for the rest of the day, even when you feel fine. That’s why many hospitals and surgery centers require a responsible adult to take you home and won’t let you drive yourself. Some will not release you to a taxi or rideshare on your own, because the driver isn’t responsible for you once you’re dropped off.
Rules vary from one facility to the next, so the most important step is to ask before you book.
Questions to ask when you schedule
- Will I have sedation or anesthesia?
- Do I need someone to take me home, and does that person need to stay with me afterward?
- Will you accept a taxi, rideshare or medical transportation service?
- Can my escort be a friend, a neighbor or a paid companion?
- How long will I be there, so my ride knows when to come?
Options for getting home
- A friend or neighbor. Many people are glad to help when asked well in advance with a clear time.
- A faith community or volunteer group. Some congregations and senior centers organize rides and companions.
- A home care agency. Many offer escort or companion visits by the hour, including picking you up and staying a while.
- Medical transportation services. Ask whether the driver can come inside and whether your facility accepts them.
Plan for the rest of the day
Getting home is only part of it. Before the procedure:
- Pick up any new prescriptions ahead of time, or arrange delivery
- Stock simple food and fluids
- Ask whether someone should stay with you overnight, and arrange it if so
- Keep your discharge instructions and the facility’s phone number by your bed
- Tell your emergency contact the date, in case you need help
If you can’t find an escort
Talk with your doctor before you cancel. In some cases there may be options to discuss, but don’t skip a recommended procedure just because the ride is hard to arrange. Ask for help finding one instead.
How a patient advocate helps
A patient advocate can help you plan the whole day: what to ask the facility, how to line up an escort, what to have ready at home and what the discharge instructions mean. Cheryl A. Scharoun, RN, BSN, BCPA, helps people who are aging on their own, in person in Raleigh-Durham and anywhere in the country by phone. The first consultation is free.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Follow your doctor’s and facility’s instructions.