Elderly parents and taxis

[Deleted User]

Hoping my Dad is not the only one.

Following on from my other thread, my elderly Dad, who can hardly walk, I really think would crawl home rather than catch a taxi.

Hes got an idea in his head that taxi are "not for people like him" and that people who catch taxis are "not right if they're going to waste money like that".

Not suggesting catching taxis every day but there are times when its unavoidable.

I remember years ago he went away on bus trip and it was late coming back. The drop-off was 12 miles away in the city and last bus/train had gone. He was going to sleep on a bench in the train station rather than spend £20 on a taxi home - he really was. Luckily he got a lift.

Also, in my other thread I mentioned hospital. He was going home and he sat there all day because he refused to pay £10 for a taxi and waited for me to drive 60 miles to pick him up. (I think he thinks my petrol is free).

Hes given up going to watch cricket. The bus stop was about a mile from the ground and he cant walk that far now. My suggestion - get a taxi for that last mile - nope. He tried to walk it a few times and made himself ill. Now hes just stuck in the house and doesnt go at all.

Thing is hes got so much money saved that he could never ever spend it all. Completely nuts IMHO. Surely when you're old money is there to make things easier for you?

BrassicWoman

post war rationing mentality. Don't try and apply 21st century logic to it. But you don't need to pander to it.

gettingtheresometime

You're assuming of course that the person has the mindset that they have the money so they might as well spend it on making their life easier.

For a lot of older people, they haven't got of the idea that they need to save for that rainy day, and sometimes not realising when its raining.

Jagraf

Maybe a small taxi firm where he is likely to get the same people?

MIL uses one of those wheelers and they get her in and out of the car they are so nice with her.

She's 81 - she makes her own way to us which means she sees us more often as we've said we can't pick her up all the time.

Try to persuade him.

Tiddlywinks

You dad does not use taxis because he is not prepared to pay for them and NOT because he is 'elderly'. It's just his point of view and his personality.

Nothing to do with his age.

nearlyrich

I think it was the case that you only had a taxi in a dire emergency as they were expensive, now they are cheaper than the bus round here. My uncle ( who died in 2011) lost his sight due to macular degeneration and his wife had never learned to drive they would never get a taxi as they thought it was too extravagant, compared to the cost of running a car it's peanuts.

fierystormcloud

Very strange. Maybe his generation? I would never sleep on a park bench rather than get a taxi. How odd.

REEN

Is there a Ring and Ride or Dial a Ride scheme where your Dad lives?

beedeedee

A neighbour has a "quiet" arrangement with a local taxi firm, where he pays them about £20 per month and then his Mum can call them anytime (on speed dial on her phone) and they will come and pick her up and deliver her wherever she needs to be, at a cost to her of just £1 a throw. Obviously if his monthly amount gets exceeded, they just let him know and he'll pay over the phone - but his Mum is happy, thinking she's paying. She only goes to the shops and back, but it's peace of mind for them both.

Pollycat

[quote=[Deleted User];discussion/5197944]Hoping my Dad is not the only one.

Following on from my other thread, my elderly Dad, who can hardly walk, I really think would crawl home rather than catch a taxi.

Hes got an idea in his head that taxi are "not for people like him" and that people who catch taxis are "not right if they're going to waste money like that".

Not suggesting catching taxis every day but there are times when its unavoidable.

I remember years ago he went away on bus trip and it was late coming back. The drop-off was 12 miles away in the city and last bus/train had gone. He was going to sleep on a bench in the train station rather than spend £20 on a taxi home - he really was. Luckily he got a lift.

Also, in my other thread I mentioned hospital. He was going home and he sat there all day because he refused to pay £10 for a taxi and waited for me to drive 60 miles to pick him up. (I think he thinks my petrol is free).

Hes given up going to watch cricket. The bus stop was about a mile from the ground and he cant walk that far now. My suggestion - get a taxi for that last mile - nope. He tried to walk it a few times and made himself ill. Now hes just stuck in the house and doesnt go at all.

Thing is hes got so much money saved that he could never ever spend it all. Completely nuts IMHO. Surely when you're old money is there to make things easier for you?[/QUOTE]

I think the post below explains it all.

gettingtheresometime wrote: »

You're assuming of course that the person has the mindset that they have the money so they might as well spend it on making their life easier.

For a lot of older people, they haven't got of the idea that they need to save for that rainy day, and sometimes not realising when its raining.

That's why you hear of elderly people sitting in a house with no heating during cold weather even though they've got money in the bank.

If that's how he wants to be, leave him to it.
But don't enable him to do it by dropping what you're doing (working, presumably) and driving over to take him somewhere or take him home when the sensible solution would be for him to use a taxi.

LilElvis

My parents used to suffer with this warped logic about spending money on "unnecessary" things like taxis.

When going on holiday my Dad used to drive my Mum and their luggage to the station, drive home, walk back to the station (15 minutes) and then get the rail/air coach to the airport. On returning he would go through this faff again, in reverse. Saving over getting a taxi from house to airport and back was about £30 - totally ridiculous seeing as the holiday cost £7k or £8k!

Fortunately a few years ago they saw the light and found a good airport chauffeur service, so even those who are set in their ways/mind set can change.