Meeting schedules: Any tips and tricks to be on time?

I do the same. Sometimes my spouse gets ready to leave an hour earlier - and I have to remind him again of the time!
Our method works for us, but I would like to learn any other ways.

@minniem and @bobcmcc, I expanded the title of this discussion and am bringing it back to the top to get more suggestions from folks. I think many are familiar with this situation of their loved one not being ready to leave or being ready too soon. Constant reminders to assist them can be annoying for both you and your loved one. What to do?

While routines are important, how do you get to an appointment or engagement on time that is out of the ordinary routine?

@colleenyoung
Thank you for bringing this topic back! It is such a stressful one for us at times! Dad is 94, with mobility, sight, hearing, etc obstacles, so getting ready to go to an appointment is challenging. I tell him the night before of the appointment and time. I try to make the appointments at a time of day that works with his routine and doesn’t require getting up earlier than usual, interfere with usual bathroom times, etc. Then I give him the one hour, then thirty minute, then fifteen minute warnings. But almost EVERY time I say, “time to go”, it is THEN he gets up to go to the bathroom, collect items he wants to have along for the trip, etc. All of which takes at least another twenty to thirty minutes. This, even when I give the thirty minute warning and reminder “so if you have to go to the bathroom, might want to do it now”. And if I remind him that we really HAVE to leave to make the appointment, he gets very annoyed and has the attitude that the doctor can just wait, because it is crucial that his hair is combed again or that he has his breath mints, etc….I have discovered that he really cannot gauge the passing of time and is surprised when an hour has passed. So, I switched to also telling him the actual TIME we have to leave. Worked for a while, but his vision has gotten worse and I don’t think he can see the clock clearly (plus I don’t think he grasps just how long it is going to take him to do the things he wants to do before leaving). I’ve tried bumping everything up thirty to forty-five minutes to have that time buffer, and it sometimes helps, then if we truly end up having extra time I just take the long way to the destination or stop for gas, etc. Has anybody used an audible timer, reminder for their care recipient? Too annoying, or demeaning? (I have been accepting more virtual appointments when offered unless it is with a doc that I think really needs to see him in person—much easier and less stressful.). I am really not a person that likes to nag, but this (and now hydration as well), is one where it seems unavoidable.

@babbsjoy It appears you have taken every possible avenue towards getting to an appointment on time. I work around older individuals and I agree, 15- 30 minute warnings mean very little to them. I had to laugh when you said he figures the doctor can wait for HIM. I applaud your tenacity. You are an A+ daughter!

@nannybb
Thank you! Yes, I sometimes have to giggle about it all. Of course, you don’t want to get there too early and then they have to wait… then the “time to leave” statement will soon mean nothing…

@babbsjoy I was also a pre-school teacher. I don't suppose the 1,2,3 method would work.... Kidding, of course. He seems pretty smart actually. It's sometimes difficult to know just how much they truly do remember. I just know, when they get to the point of being non-verbal it can be a blessing and a heartache.