In the west county suburbs, a trip across town can cost you an hour you did not plan to give, and it can cost even more if the route runs through the stretch of road that is always busy at pickup time. Before you decide whether to drive your mom yourself or hire a non-medical ride, look at the whole trip, not just the miles. The drive is the easy part to imagine. The wait, the parking, and the walk from the car are where the hours disappear.
Local option (paid placement): New Plan Care gives families in the St. Louis area in-home help so a parent can stay home: companionship, help with bathing and dressing, meals, and overnight care. Call (314) 405-0887.
Map the full trip
Time the drive at the hour you would actually leave. Then add the parking, the walk from the lot to the door, the check-in, and the trip back. Write down the total. Compare it to your kids' pickup, your work block, and the time you need to get back for dinner. If the trip only fits when everything goes right, it will not fit most weeks.
Check the parking and the walk
Look at where the car will go and how far your mom will have to walk. Ask whether there is a drop-off area close to the entrance. Consider whether she can manage the distance with her current mobility, and whether a helper can walk beside her or wait with her at the door. These are practical questions, and they decide whether a ride will feel calm or stressful for both of you.
Ask what a ride service includes
If you are comparing a hired ride, ask what is included in the trip, such as door-to-door help, waiting time, and a helper who can stay with her. Ask how the service handles delays, cancellations, and short notice. Ask whether the driver can carry bags or a folding walker, and whether the service has a process for communicating changes to you while your mom is in the appointment. Do not guess at these answers. Get them in writing before you rely on the service.
Decide who takes the wait
The hardest part of an appointment trip is often the waiting, not the drive. Decide who will sit with your mom, who will take notes, and who will handle the check-out. If you are driving, you may be stuck in the waiting room while your own work is piling up. If a ride is hired, decide who is the point of contact when the appointment runs long. A clear answer to that question will save you more time than any shortcut on the highway.
Local options are listed on the Local Help in St. Louis page, and the reading order explains how the rest of the site fits together. Pick the trip that fits your week, and keep the rest of the week for the people who need you too.