Needing to move couple from San Diego to Albuquerque to live in facility near daughter. Mom is very aggressive, demented and "may need to be sedated". Does not respond to daughter/husband because she does not recognize them. $13,000 air ambulance cost prohibitive. Doubtful an individual caregiver can handle her on a commercial flight (no non-stops). Anyone ever done this? I have several times but not with a person who is aggressive and needs sedation. Looking for ideas!
We had all the adventures with pit stops, pull ups, changing clothes due to accidents. Dad had been in memory care. No way we were going to try a motel so we put the hammer down and did one day drive. It was already very confusing for him. He was already on Ativan and I gave him some of his “Vitamins” during the trip. We took plenty of drinks and snacks that he likes.
We made it but it was one helluva trip. I had priced medical transport but that was crazy money and dad can be hard to wrangle and divert.
We considered an RV but that’s lots of money also and all the hassles of trying to get used to how things work. No way dad could have used the tiny bathrooms. Plus they’re pretty slow. We hauled ass in a Jeep grand Cherokee.
This was before COVID and we took advantage of the family changing rooms on the interstates.
The nurses had told us dad would sleep all the way. Nope. Not even 10 minutes! Constant 15 second loop of repeated questions. But he enjoyed the scenery and my travel narration.
Bottom line, it can be done but depends on the state of the elder and the abilities of the caregivers. Good luck.
I am assuming, since you say this is a move made for a couple, that currently the father is caregiving. There are some problems for sure in moving someone who will soon need to go into care herself; I doubt the answer for her will be being more near to you. I wish I had better ideas for you; I just don't.