Suggestions and ideas needed

UPDATE:

I RECEIVED ABOUT 15 REPLIES WITH SOME GREAT ADVICE. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR ALL OF YOUR INPUT. I'VE FORWARDED THE EMAILS ONTO BRIDGET. RIGHT NOW SHE IS IN THE "I'M DEFEATED MODE." I'M HOPING SHE TAKES ALL OF THIS ADVICE AND GETS BUSY ACTUALLY TAKING THE INITIATIVE. SHE IS GETTING A 2ND OPINION ON THE 20TH. HOPEFULLY SHE GETS GOOD NEWS.

DONNA

Please put on your thinking caps and don't be embarrassed to pitch in with ideas, suggestions or any knowledge you might be able to give us. I know that some of you out there must have dealt with the situation I'm getting ready to ask about. Any and all information that you think would be helpful is appreciated. Some of you may have already gone through what she is getting ready to go through. Neither my friend nor I have had any dealings with social or state agencies that can help with short term care that is needed. She lives here in Northern Kentucky in the area of Ft. Thomas. I wish I could remember exactly which city it is. I do know it is in Kenton County Kentucky.

My friend Bridget has already had one knee replaced years ago when she was married. Now she is single, lives far enough away from me that I wouldn't be much help though. Anyway, she is having the other knee replaced in about a month. She is mid-40's and lives alone with her elderly dog. Her finances are horrible so when you're thinking about advice to help with this situation, please keep that in mind.

1. When she has her knee replaced, she has no one to care for her elderly dog during her hospital and rehabilitation hospital stay. She will be in the hospital about 5 days then in a rehab faclity about a week. So to be on the safe side I'd say it would be 2 weeks away from home. I can't volunteer my place because of my own 2 terriers who haven't been socialized enough to have manners and don't always play well with other dogs.

2. When she get's home, she has no one to bring her meal's for a short time.

3. She has no one to assist with transportation to and from doctor visits, grocery shopping, medication refills etc. She's had the worst luck lately. She had a very small gas efficient car and the engine blew. From the divorce she was given a very old and very large diesel truck that had been sitting for years that she's been driving lately and it has mechanical problems starting. So everytime she wants to go somewhere she has to put a large container next to the tire and stand on top of the container and do something to the wires in the truck engine to get it to start. Then she has to climb up and into the very high diesel truck. She defnately needs input on assistance in transportation to the doctor, grocery or whatever other errands that someone might need while doing rehablitation.

Any and all suggestions would be appreciated. You can make comments or emal me suggestions that I can pass on to her as she prepares for the surgery.

Thanks,

Donna SmoothFoxLover@yahoo.com