Broken ankle --6 weeks before cruise--need help

[bingomamma19]

My 77 year old mom just broke her ankle in 3 places 2 days ago. She will need surgery next week Wednesday to get plates and screws to repair it.

 

We are going on an Alaskan cruise on 8/21 so now I have to figure out the mobility issues she will have. It will be me, mom and my 12 year old dd going.

 

Dr. says she cant even step on that foot until 8/20 or so. We are flying in and not sure what to do about a wheelchair/knee scooter etc?

 

Anyone have any good ideas about handling her mobility needs getting on the cruise and during the cruise? What about excursions, are they accessible? Does it say anywhere which ones are?

 

Thanks in advance for any advice...this has been a bucket list cruise that we have been planning since jan 2017...there is no way she isn't going :)

[BoDidly]

Most people just rent a chair beforehand , Carnival will charge you a more expensive rate for ship use only.

[bingomamma19]

Most people just rent a chair beforehand , Carnival will charge you a more expensive rate for ship use only.

 

 

Do you know how soon you get that? Like we will need one as soon as we get dropped off by the taxi. She wont be able to walk at all. Her good foot is where she has bad arthritis in her hip, so she is pretty immobile with this.

 

I am going to call my PVP on Monday to get some advice...just wanted to see what experiences others have had with this. We have never experienced any mobility issues before, this is all new to me.

[LCTXcruiser]

Is it possible to rent a "hoveround" (sp??). You know, one of those little scooters for the time she's on the ship? Just a thought. Sorry to hear that! It's a bummer, but what a way to recover!!!! Enjoy your trip!

[13cheermom]

That’s so unfortunate for your mom. I broke mine 6 years ago and was only 48 yrs old. To be honest I couldn’t do anything for almost a month at home and can’t imagine trying to get around on a cruise ship. Hope things work out for all of you.

 

 

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[whyamiawake]

My 77 year old mom just broke her ankle in 3 places 2 days ago. She will need surgery next week Wednesday to get plates and screws to repair it.

 

We are going on an Alaskan cruise on 8/21 so now I have to figure out the mobility issues she will have. It will be me, mom and my 12 year old dd going.

 

Dr. says she cant even step on that foot until 8/20 or so. We are flying in and not sure what to do about a wheelchair/knee scooter etc?

 

Anyone have any good ideas about handling her mobility needs getting on the cruise and during the cruise? What about excursions, are they accessible? Does it say anywhere which ones are?

 

Thanks in advance for any advice...this has been a bucket list cruise that we have been planning since jan 2017...there is no way she isn't going :)

I feel her pain. I leave tomorrow and picked up a used scooter because it was less than renting one. NOT how I planned to cruise!

 

You can talk to your mom's Dr. They may be able to write a script for one and get it covered with insurance. Sound like she might need one before the cruise, as well.

 

You can also can the cruise line. See if you are able to change to an accessible room. They will also give you the numbers of the companies they work with. These scooters will be waiting in your room, upon arrival. They will arrange for assistance getting her on and off the ship.

 

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[italiana]

What about getting a boot? That would take pressure off her foot for a little bit of walking. They are available at medical supply stores, and often

covered by insurance. Best of luck!

[SNJCruisers]

You need to look at the big picture and not just think about the mobility issues on the cruise. You also have the pre and post issues. Your best bet is to buy a rollator. You can find them on line for 60 bucks. They are similar to a wheelchair except you need to push her and it is much lighter than a wheelchair. Your DD could even open it and push your mom around. They are also narrower than a wheelchair so you could probably still get it inside your non HC cabin, but if there are any available, I would switch it ASAP just for the extra room in the cabin. You should also get priority embarkation as well, but I am not sure about Carnival with this, I know they do it on NCL with any passengers in wheelchairs or rollators.

[bnorris10]

Call Carnival they can give you the name of the company that does rentals -- You could do a scooter rental for the boat the company will drop the scooter off to your room before the ship leaves and you just leave it by the room when your depart - For leaving you can ask Carnival for a wheel chair to get off the ship with we had to get one for our daughter a couple of years ago was like $200 for the week

 

 

I strongly suggest the scooter as it is power operated and does not need someone to push her around in it nor does it require her to put added pressure on herself to soon

[riclop]

My 77 year old mom just broke her ankle in 3 places 2 days ago. She will need surgery next week Wednesday to get plates and screws to repair it.

 

We are going on an Alaskan cruise on 8/21 so now I have to figure out the mobility issues she will have. It will be me, mom and my 12 year old dd going.

 

Dr. says she cant even step on that foot until 8/20 or so. We are flying in and not sure what to do about a wheelchair/knee scooter etc?

 

Anyone have any good ideas about handling her mobility needs getting on the cruise and during the cruise? What about excursions, are they accessible? Does it say anywhere which ones are?

 

Thanks in advance for any advice...this has been a bucket list cruise that we have been planning since jan 2017...there is no way she isn't going :)

She should not go. there will be other times.

[Lori Dobson]

Look into getting a transport chair- you can rent them cheaply from any medical supply place. MUCH smaller, lighter and less bulky than a regular wheelchair or a scooter, I know- I was in one for 9 weeks.

[nicole9s]

Did the doctor say anything about flying? I know that we had to postpone a trip after my DH had ankle surgery because his doctor said the pressure from flying would swell him up.

 

I agree with getting something for the duration of the trip, not just for onboard, because getting thru airports, the cruise terminal, etc will be a struggle.

 

As far as excursions, if you booked thru carnival, their online descriptions are usually informative regarding accessibility.

 

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[SNJCruisers]

Scooter rentals are nice, but it only takes care of the middle bulk of your trip from the cruise terminal to the cruise itself and back. There is still the pre and post cruise maneuvering getting to and from the ship and of course it's more complicated if flying is involved.

[snowskier]

She should not go. there will be other times.

 

The voice of sanity! I agree.

[sandyzag]

There are a couple of rental places.. perhaps you can look into them and see if any fit for your situation.

 

https://www.scootaround.com/

 

https://www.specialneedsatsea.com

[jsvarp]

My 77 year old mom just broke her ankle in 3 places 2 days ago. She will need surgery next week Wednesday to get plates and screws to repair it.

 

We are going on an Alaskan cruise on 8/21 so now I have to figure out the mobility issues she will have. It will be me, mom and my 12 year old dd going.

 

Dr. says she cant even step on that foot until 8/20 or so. We are flying in and not sure what to do about a wheelchair/knee scooter etc?

 

Anyone have any good ideas about handling her mobility needs getting on the cruise and during the cruise? What about excursions, are they accessible? Does it say anywhere which ones are?

 

Thanks in advance for any advice...this has been a bucket list cruise that we have been planning since jan 2017...there is no way she isn't going :)

I did the same thing in 2017 3 weeks prior to my cruise. Plates, screws, a boot, and non weight bearing. The scooter was a godsend.

 

Something to consider.. accessibility in your room..I had to hop up on one foot to get into the bathroom. I was early 40's and determined.. so no problem.. best of luck to your mother..

 

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[bingomamma19]

There are a couple of rental places.. perhaps you can look into them and see if any fit for your situation.

 

https://www.scootaround.com/

 

https://www.specialneedsatsea.com

 

Thanks for the info...I looked up our cruise and a regular wheelchair is 85 for the week..a motorized scooter 185...that's not bad at all. She may get a kick out of the motorized scooter.

 

Unless she is completely bedridden, she is going on this cruise...she is 77 now and you never know what could happen in the future.

 

We do have trip insurance luckily, so we are not worried about losing any money on the cost of the trip.

[sandyzag]

Thanks for the info...I looked up our cruise and a regular wheelchair is 85 for the week..a motorized scooter 185...that's not bad at all. She may get a kick out of the motorized scooter.

 

Unless she is completely bedridden, she is going on this cruise...she is 77 now and you never know what could happen in the future.

 

We do have trip insurance luckily, so we are not worried about losing any money on the cost of the trip.

 

 

 

Also, for flights, you would call your airline and have them mark your Mom as needing a wheel chair. They will then, from the ticket area, push her through security, to the gate and same when you land.You can drop her off at the departure area and then go park your car. I hope she has a great time!!

[whyamiawake]

Thanks for the info...I looked up our cruise and a regular wheelchair is 85 for the week..a motorized scooter 185...that's not bad at all. She may get a kick out of the motorized scooter.

 

Unless she is completely bedridden, she is going on this cruise...she is 77 now and you never know what could happen in the future.

 

We do have trip insurance luckily, so we are not worried about losing any money on the cost of the trip.

You certainly don't have to make any decisions now. Get everything pointed up. $185 isn't bad!

 

 

 

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[sandyzag]

One more also.. lol.. if she does rent a scooter, keep in mind it will have to be stored in the cabin. Not sure what type of cabin you have, but it might make it tight.

[bingomamma19]

Did the doctor say anything about flying? I know that we had to postpone a trip after my DH had ankle surgery because his doctor said the pressure from flying would swell him up.

 

I agree with getting something for the duration of the trip, not just for onboard, because getting thru airports, the cruise terminal, etc will be a struggle.

 

As far as excursions, if you booked thru carnival, their online descriptions are usually informative regarding accessibility.

 

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We had her ortho dr apt today to schedule surgery. I talked to the dr about the cruise and flight and she was totally fine with it. She said to ask about the mobility devices.

 

We will see as the weeks go by, if the dr says no traveling at that time, obviously she will not travel. Otherwise...we are on :):)

[cruisefun27]

I feel her pain. I leave tomorrow and picked up a used scooter because it was less than renting one. NOT how I planned to cruise!

 

You can talk to your mom's Dr. They may be able to write a script for one and get it covered with insurance. Sound like she might need one before the cruise, as well.

 

You can also can the cruise line. See if you are able to change to an accessible room. They will also give you the numbers of the companies they work with. These scooters will be waiting in your room, upon arrival. They will arrange for assistance getting her on and off the ship.

 

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Don’t get a knee scooter. I try using one earlier in the year and they are not very safe. If you every hit a bump you could go over the handlebars. Also she would have too use the leg with arthritis to push herself. I would look into getting one of those transport wheelchair. Their a little smaller and more lightweight. Costco sells them.

 

 

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[emdia43]

There are a couple of rental places.. perhaps you can look into them and see if any fit for your situation.

 

https://www.scootaround.com/

 

https://www.specialneedsatsea.com

 

IIRC those scoot- arounds will fit inside a regular room, if an accessible cabin is not available.

[Quilcruisers]

We arranged for airport assistance for my mom and MIL when we traveled to Vegas. The met us at the curb and escorted both of them and our entire party through the terminal to the gate both going and coming. They are not in a wheelchair or had surgery, just needed help maneuvering through a very large airport. That was a godsend because they were 69 and 77 years old, heck it was hard for us younger people to do that distance. We will do that from now on when traveling with them.

 

 

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[maryred]

My suggestion is regardless of what you plan to rent for the cruise get a travel wheelchair or transport chair. These will have footrests to keep both her feet clear of the ground or floor and be able to elevate her injured ankle if needed. Walmart and Walgreens both have travel/transport chairs that are under $90, basically about $20 more than a rollator but unlike the rollator she will face forward while someone pushes her.

By having this it will reduce your need to wait at each change of transportation or terminal for an employee, courtesy wheelchair or scooter to become available. Also if any of the ports are tender ports, a scooter cannot be lifted from the ship to the tender but a travel chair can. If unable to find accessible tours through the cruise line investigate independent and private tours. Though few may accommodate scooters almost any car or van tour company should be able to accommodate a foldable wheelchair and the driver be more available to help if your mom needs to transfer to/from the wheelchair and vehicle.