Mystie
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Post by Mystie on Jun 20, 2017 19:46:49 GMT
I mentioned a week or two ago that I'll be going along with my parents to my great-uncle's memorial service in Kansas in about a week. I'm driving to Ohio and then we will all fly to KS together. I've bought the tickets, rented the car, booked the hotel.
I am trying to think ahead so we have as few snafus as possible on the trip. My dad had brain surgery two years ago for lymphoma, followed by chemo and radiation. The radiation ended a little over a year ago, and he has been cancer-free since. (Praise God!) But he still has some issues. He gets violently nauseated from time to time, very randomly. He can be feeling well one minute and puking the next. He also gets very bad headaches, sometimes along with the nausea. He has meds he takes for this, and they do help within 30 minutes or so, but he usually needs dark and quiet. And he is extraordinarily sensitive to loud sounds, noisy rooms, etc. (He also has short-term memory loss but I think my mom and I can help compensate for any confusion on that score.)
Dad isn't an invalid, he moves around just fine, but I guess I'm wondering what I should/could ask the airline to do for us if necessary. I had thought about asking for a cart to meet us at the gate if we have a long way to walk on our layovers, but then I thought the beeping noise they make might be more of a hindrance than a help.
I'm really just thinking aloud here, but I was wondering if anyone had traveled with a parent or loved one who's not in the greatest health, and what kinds of things were helpful for you to do. I think I will bring along earplugs for him, and I know Mom will bring some of his fleece hats to keep the draft off his head. So much of air travel is just out of your hands, but I want to be ahead of what I can because I'm the one who has to get them there and back!
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Deleted
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May 18, 2024 3:26:46 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2017 20:02:14 GMT
Take some noise canceling headphones, an eye mask, maybe some sort of a neck rest so he can sleep. Make sure there's plenty of time so you can leisurely walk to the gate if you think that a transport cart or a wheelchair isn't the right option for him. Eliminate the stress by having plenty of time. Choose your seat carefully. When I was traveling with my grandma with some bathroom issues, I made sure we sat where we could sort of monitor if the bathroom was available and she was on the aisle so she could get up quickly. Sitting halfway means a long walk to a potentially occupied bathroom. If you are near the back or front of the plane, a flight attendant can quickly get ice or water or even ginger ale if you alert them that he isn't feeling well.
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Post by Delta Dawn on Jun 20, 2017 20:05:51 GMT
Get the airport cart for your dad. We did that with my mom for years and years. She couldn't walk well and sometimes stumbled. This got her from gate to gate really safely.
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RosieKat
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Post by RosieKat on Jun 20, 2017 20:13:12 GMT
I like things like Dubs, that help tone down the noise but you can still hear people talking to you, etc. I actually carry them in my purse almost all the time. There are different brands, I don't know how well other ones work - Dubs work, but they aren't the most comfortable (to me, at least). It might be worth checking out something like that.
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moodyblue
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Location: Western Illinois
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Jun 26, 2014 21:07:23 GMT
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Post by moodyblue on Jun 20, 2017 20:38:35 GMT
Maybe he already has them, but I'd order some puke bags from Amazon, so he can carry one in his pocket and have backups in your carryons. They have the ones like the hospital ERs use. I hate throwing up with a passion, but it's even worse if you can't get to the bathroom quickly, or it's occupied. At least this way, he'd have a way to deal with it in an emergency.
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Post by scrapperal on Jun 20, 2017 20:49:45 GMT
If your parents are over 75, they don't need to remove their light jackets or shoes per this page, though I've seen agents still request it. Also, "light jacket" is up to interpretation by different agents. Even with TSA pre, I've had to remove my sweatshirt, vest, light weight fleece jacket (on different trips, not all worn at once  ). Still, that page might be helpful to bookmark if removing shoes/jacket will cause your parents stress. |
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wellway
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Jun 25, 2014 20:50:09 GMT
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Post by wellway on Jun 20, 2017 20:50:18 GMT
You have nothing to lose by calling the airline and asking what they can do to help. Perhaps getting you on and off the plane first. Noise cancelling earphones would help with the beeping noise of the cart.
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Post by hennybutton on Jun 20, 2017 20:55:44 GMT
It might be helpful to talk to his doctor about taking the meds before the trip. If he can stop an episode before it happens, that would be great.
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Post by cmpeter on Jun 20, 2017 21:02:33 GMT
You can also setup an appointment with TSA Cares (Google for the website/contact info). We used them when we flew with my special needs nephew as he couldn't tolerate waiting I. The security line.
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The Great Carpezio
Pearl Clutcher
Something profound goes here.
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Post by The Great Carpezio on Jun 20, 2017 21:39:05 GMT
Is he considered disabled? My parents are both disabled. Last year, and now in a couple of days, when they check in, the airport (Delta) has people come with wheelchairs and they wheel them to where they need to go. It's really slick. We just follow along. They also let the entire party go ahead with them through the line. When they get off the plane, trey are there waiting for them with signs.
It's the way to go. For sure.
FYI. They also fly first class since my dad is on oxygen; however, this isn't a first class service. Just a disabled service.
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Post by iteach3rdgrade on Jun 20, 2017 22:03:13 GMT
My mom always uses a wheelchair at the airport. That's what I'd get for him.
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Post by Linda on Jun 20, 2017 22:15:31 GMT
I would definitely ask for a wheelchair at the gate - it's free but a tip is kind. Calling the airline in advance - they'll flag the tickets and reserve the wheelchair for him - you can get it at check-in if it would make TSA easier (and it might make it faster - I only used the wheelchair between gates when I flew last but was on crutches at TSA and they expedited me through security which was helpful.
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tuesdaysgone
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Post by tuesdaysgone on Jun 20, 2017 22:19:18 GMT
All good advice here. I flew a couple years ago with my in laws who were 82 at the time. My FIL refused to get a wheel chair and of course our gate was at the FAR end of the concourse. It was an experience. I love the idea of calling ahead to have a wheel chair and expedited boarding arranged.
In two weeks we go on a family vacation again, except this time my SIL and BIL are flying with the folks.
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Post by Darcy Collins on Jun 20, 2017 22:20:12 GMT
Make sure he does not have any metal in his pockets, doesn't wear a belt with a large buckle. I flew a few days ago and it was so painful for the wheelchair user as most passengers still need to walk through the metal detectors. It took her 3 attempts, each one getting more frustrated and unstable - but she literally had her pockets jam packed with metal - keys, lipstick case, phone, etc.
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Post by internetmama on Jun 20, 2017 22:23:57 GMT
When traveling was hard for my dad, it helped him feel better to have a map of the airport marked with the elevators and restrooms so he felt more in control even though he had help. He also liked a paper check list for his carry on and luggage. I liked the suggestion for an eye mask above.
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Post by bc2ca on Jun 20, 2017 22:30:36 GMT
For the last few years my MIL has been provided a wheelchair to and from the gate. We just make the request when buying her ticket and have never had a problem. Take advantage of boarding first, but I would wait to disembark last. I know you are traveling with them, but I just wanted to add I've never had a problem requesting a gate pass to take MIL through security and to her gate when she is traveling alone. You might want to have a change of clothes in case he is ill, a zippered bag for anything that gets dirty and lots of wet wipes. I hope you don't need any of them.  |
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Post by scrapperal on Jun 20, 2017 22:56:16 GMT
Make sure he does not have any metal in his pockets, doesn't wear a belt with a large buckle. I flew a few days ago and it was so painful for the wheelchair user as most passengers still need to walk through the metal detectors. It took her 3 attempts, each one getting more frustrated and unstable - but she literally had her pockets jam packed with metal - keys, lipstick case, phone, etc. That's a good reminder. Also, if your mom is like my mom, make sure she's not carrying bottled water, lotion, large bottle of eye drops, or anything that could remotely be considered a liquid in her purse. You never know what mom has in her purse because she always wants to be prepared.  I don't know if lipstick/chapstick is okay or has to be put in the liquid baggie or not. Save |
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Deleted
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May 18, 2024 3:26:46 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2017 23:04:37 GMT
Look into the pre-check option through TSA. I do think there is a charge but it really gets you through the security check a LOT faster. The line is much shorter and we weren't required to remove shoes or other normal security check stuff.
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Post by gizzy on Jun 20, 2017 23:09:00 GMT
It's nerve wracking traveling long distance with a parent that's not at their best & then adding a funeral in. Everyone has given really good advice.
When we flew with a sick relative, I called the airlines, explained the situation. We had someone waiting with a wheelchair to help us to the gate.
Once thru security, buy some ginger ale or whatever you think might help him on the plane. Also, let the flight attendants know what's going on, they'll most likely take extra good care of him.
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Post by Darcy Collins on Jun 20, 2017 23:15:38 GMT
Look into the pre-check option through TSA. I do think there is a charge but it really gets you through the security check a LOT faster. The line is much shorter and we weren't required to remove shoes or other normal security check stuff. If they're traveling in a week, there probably isn't enough time to get through the process. They may be lucky and be one of the "randomly" selected passengers. I'm pretty sure there's nothing random about it, but I think it's more tied to those in frequent flier programs - although my kids always receive it, so perhaps they select older passengers as well. OP be sure and check if your boarding pass has TSA pre-check on it, there's a special line and you don't need to remove liquids from your luggage etc. |
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Jun 21, 2017 0:49:16 GMT
Wheelchairs go to the front of the TSA line at the airports I use.
Go on line and click wheelchair and it will appear on your boarding pass, well his. But I would still call the airline to ask and explain the situation.. In many cases WC are first on, last off. Not sure with major airlines, I fly smaller.
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Mystie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,299
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Post by Mystie on Jun 21, 2017 1:14:14 GMT
Thanks for all the advice, I will check into all of it and consult with my mom, too.
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Post by anniefb on Jun 21, 2017 1:23:43 GMT
I travelled with my Mum a couple of times when she wasn't in the greatest of health (heart condition and couldn't walk far) and asked for airport assistance both times. I'd highly recommend it - got great help with either a cart or wheelchair, able to get onto the plane first and get settled etc.
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Jun 21, 2017 2:03:24 GMT
It might be helpful to talk to his doctor about taking the meds before the trip. If he can stop an episode before it happens, that would be great.  I get terrible motion sickness on planes. My current regimen before flying is one xanax (I'm not afraid of flying but the crowds/lines/rules following puts my anxiety on high alert, which does a number on my stomach), a dose of non-drowsy dramamine, and sea-bands on my wrist (which were surprisingly helpful even if it's just psychosomatic). I also ask my doctor for anti-nausea meds, and she prescribes a fast-dissolve version of ondasetron. The last time I flew was the first time I needed to add that-- we had some pretty bad turbulence, which really made me queasy, but that drug helped me almost immediately. |
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Jun 21, 2017 2:42:09 GMT
Forgot to mention that the people who push the wheelchairs do not work to for the airlines, they are outside contractors in the airport. Not well paid. I carried $5 and $10. I found that they are willing to make bathroom stops, stop for bottles of water and even snacks, might also be willing to get some food. Tip accordingly. I found them to be extremely nice and helpful, but I was traveling alone.
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). Still, that page might be helpful to bookmark if removing shoes/jacket will cause your parents stress.
I don't know if lipstick/chapstick is okay or has to be put in the liquid baggie or not.
