Featured Stories & Articles from Cape Cod Travel Magazine: Traveling with Elderly Parents or Grandparents

If you are planning a trip to the Cape for a large family wedding or reunion, or just a weekend, and are including elderly parents or grandparents (after the doctor’s ok), here are some tips to make sure that they are comfortable and safe during travel and afterwards:

 

Plan ahead

Whether you travel with your parent, or they travel on their own, make reservations as soon as you can for the best choice of travel times, direct flights and seats.

Alas, gone are the days of widespread senior discounts  . . . but do check anyway!  Ask “what is the best price you can offer me?”, which should include any current special promotions. Enrolling your parent in a frequent flier program may give you lower fares and special services at the airport and onboard the flight. If a meal is available onboard (a rare occurrence indeed these days) disclose special dietary needs or restrictions at the time you make the reservations. If pertinent, ask their policy on oxygen tank as many airlines do not allow passengers to either pack or travel with oxygen tanks.

 Choose airline, bus and train seats in the rows designated for disabled travelers. Request free wheelchair service at each airport origination, connection and arrival location; from the counter, through security, to the gate and onto the plane. There is no charge if assisted by an airline employee; however, if provided by a porter, a tip will be expected. If you are traveling together, you could manage the wheelchair. You and/or they will be able to pre-board so they can take their time settling in.

 

Gather & copy documents

A passport is the highest level of identification for the federal TSA (transportation security administration). Consider applying for you and/or your parent(s) prior to your travel; it can take up to a couple of months to receive depending upon the time of year. Post offices have the application form or you can download on here: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html. Official photographs are available at AAA offices and at many large drug store or shipping center chains. Two copies of the photograph must accompany your application and personal photos are not acceptable.

Request a copy of prescriptions and medical condition statements from your parents’ physician(s). Make several copies of these, the passport, driver’s license, Medicare and insurance cards, travel tickets and itinerary and boarding pass (if printed out from home). Place one set in your parent’s carry-on bag, another in their luggage. Scan and forward a set to those at the arrival destination.

 

Less is more when packing

Aim for one small roll-aboard suitcase plus a medium-size over-the-shoulder carry-on.  The small roll-aboard can be placed in the overhead bin by flight attendants and saves time at the final destination. Check your airline for allowable roll-aboard size.  Gifts should be left unwrapped and packed in the roll-aboard.

 

Consider safety, security and comfort

Encourage each parent to use a “passage wallet” on a neck cord in place of a handbag for Mom or a wallet for Dad. A money belt around the waist is another idea but, not as easy to access and is less comfortable.  Provide a cell phone (with emergency numbers programmed in) or a telephone calling card to help maintain contact.

They should keep their carry-on between their feet when standing (hold strap so as not to trip) and anchor the strap with a chair leg or their roll-aboard when seated.

A light-weight travel neck pillow when resting helps during long air or bus travel. 

Many older adults take multiple medications several times a day. You can provide your parent with an alarm watch or, as an alternative, ask that a flight attendant remind your parent, at a specified time using the time zone it will occur in, to take their medication(s). 

 

Prepare for security checkpoints

Prior to traveling, explain the security process and its’ importance and encourage your parent(s) to wear easily-removed (i.e. Velcro-closure or slip-on) but safe and well-fitting walking shoes. Apprise TSA personnel, if you are traveling together, or remind your parent if not, of any medical implant (i.e. knee or hip) that might set off alarms. To avoid delays, the statement about the implanted steel should be included in the aforementioned physician documents, which should be presented at this time. TSA personnel usually ask older travelers to step aside for a wand screening, rather than passing through the sensors. If your parent is in a wheelchair, security will use a wand while he or she is seated. In a wheelchair, access to and through security is usually quicker than the standard line.

All prescription and over-the-counter medications should be placed in a one quart zip-lock freezer bag with one set of prescription and/or physician statements copies. Combined-dosage pill boxes will not get through security.

 

Ensure help at the destination

Homecare agencies on the Cape can provide companionship, or respite care if needed, for an event or for the duration of their stay. If your parent has been receiving homecare assistance in their hometown, you may a find their Cape Cod franchise, making for a seamless transition.

 

http://www.capecodcommission.org/pathways/accessibletrails.htm

 

http://www.everythingcapecod.net/Activities_Handicap_Accessible.html

 

http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/CapeCodMA/lodging/CapeCodMAHotelswithHandicapAccess.cfm

 

The Cape Cod Disability Access Directory  http://www.capecoddisability.org/

Home Instead Health Care http://www.homeinstead.com/capecod