As my dad with Parkinson’s prepares for travel, I have concerns
Symptoms could make his journey difficult, as a stranger's experience showed
While boarding a recent flight, I noticed a man a few paces ahead of me in line. He looked to be in his 60s, with sun-worn skin and wrinkles framing his eyes. He wore a worried look on his face while watching the airport screen.
I couldn’t help but observe him, noticing the overlap between his physical symptoms and those I see my dad manage. The man’s hands shook slightly. The flight attendant asked if he’d be able to stand up from his wheelchair for the boarding process. He did.
Once standing, he leaned on his suitcase and a woman who appeared to be his wife, seemingly for added stability. He shuffled forward when the person ahead of him began moving toward a bus, which picked us up before planting us outside of a staircase that led inside our plane.
Tears welled in my eyes before I swallowed the pit in my throat. The man could have just as easily been my dad, fighting his Parkinson’s disease to exist in a busy place despite his physical limitations. We had a seven-hour flight ahead of us. I’m 33 and find that I usually have a crick in my neck after such a journey. I could only imagine the struggles he might endure to make it to our destination.
Fretting while seeking solutions
Once the plane took off, I immediately began texting my sister to process my feelings. She’s getting married this fall in Europe. She talked to my dad before setting the wedding location to make sure he’d be up for the adventure. But now that the actual travel date is drawing near, and after watching this stranger navigate some struggles my dad might encounter, my worries are growing.
My brothers will accompany him on the trip. We’ve already requested airport assistance and done everything we can to set him up for success. And still I worry. Travel is difficult even when you’re completely able-bodied and accustomed to sitting on long flights. How will my dad manage these same obstacles with his limitations?
One strategy I’m likely to use is a luggage-shipping service to further simplify Dad’s travels. Companies such as Ship & Play will mail your luggage from door to door with a bit of notice, allowing you to travel light. I told my dad that he should pack a carry-on with his basic essentials, but that shipping everything else would probably make the travel process easier.
My other plan is to simplify the mechanics of traveling. While I’d personally be more likely to use ride-sharing services and public transportation while in Europe, I think renting a car would alleviate a lot of stress and ensure my dad feels empowered and supported throughout the whole trip.
I’m welcoming other suggestions, too! Hit me with your best ideas in the comments below.
Note: Parkinson’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Parkinson’s News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Parkinson’s disease.
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Ravindra Kango
Hello Mary,
I understand your concerns on how your dad with PD will travel. Because I am also suffering PD for past 13 years but managed to travel from Mumbai, India to London, New York and interior places in the USA. My travel includes minimum 2 change over of flights. I suggest these tips:
Always book Wheelchair Assistance at every airport. Apart from making him comfortable a free advantage you will get is that all airports, the security and immigration formalities are done very fast for your dad and at least 1 or 2 accompanying him because you will byepass all long queues.
Ask your dad to wear light shoes without lace and a pajama or track pant. The security guyes at almost all airpods won't ask him to remove them for checking and is likely to be let go.
For entire length of journey pack all his medicines in a small plastic container and keep it in his shirt pocket so he can access without anybody's help.
If he also faces freezing of gaits, then ensure he takes medicines in time, some times bit advance is okay so his movements are freed when he wants to visit toilet or walk for change of flights.
If he needs to wear adult diapers, using 2 at a time - wearing one over the other is a good idea. It will avoid the need to change at least for 8 to 10 hours.
Kathleen B
I made my first big trip to surprise my mom for Mother’s Day. I booked the seat in the front for more leg room. My seat mates were husband and wife who were doctors. When I apologized for my shaking they were very kind. They wanted to know more about my experiences with Parkinson’s. We spent the whole trip discussing it. I felt comfortable sitting with two doctors. I made arrangements for wheelchairs from gate to gate. When they came around with refreshments I asked that they only fill the cup half full so I wouldn’t fill it
Anne Layman
.I retuned from a 7 week I
overseas trip a few moths ago n& I would return inn a fiash.
You are doing all the right things like organising assistance sr the airport. Two things that made my trip a success were that I was lucky enough to travel business class plus i-we purchased a travel scooter for me to sssist ny mobility -if was tartly liberating .
Next year we are travelling to Central America as well as Canada so let your father enjoy his travels as it is good. That he
wants too go..
Glenn Wishnew
My Parkinson’s is considered mild, and so I recently traveled to Europe for a vacation. I was surprised that some gates at Franfort airport doesn’t have the bridge walk to the plane. You walk to the plane and take the stairs with your carryons. I assume there are other airports in Europe that are the same, and so I recommend investigating this before heading out.
Robert Wallace
Greetings. I live in Bariloche, southern Argentina, 86, diagnosed PD over 6 years ago. Recently travelled to UK which is 13 hour flight. Preparation 1. Arranged airport services to plane doors.2. Selected comfortable seating on passage way close to toilet areas. 3.controlled liquid intake, took a brief walk every couple hours to optimize legs/circulation. 4. Simple breathing enhancement attention. 5 Took things easy and patient. Results excellent trip, no problems.
John Fossey
I was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2021, although I now know the symptoms were there unrecognized for some years prior. My wife and I travel around North America a lot, as our children and their children have settled all around the continent, in some fairly remote corners. We fly to 3 or 4 destinations a year, and can share a few lessons we have learned. One thing I can strongly suggest is to take advantage of the wheelchair assistance offered by the airlines and airports, and to stay positive! You definitely need wheelchair assistance inside the airport. If you can at all afford it travel first or business class. You're then at the front of the plane and will be given the extra time needed to board and disembark. Avoid row 1, because the galley bulkhead will be in front of you, preventing you from stretching your legs. Be sure to plan when you need to take your medications. The time to take them will likely be when you're in flight or waiting at a gate, so be sure to plan ahead. You won't be able to take any water through security, so plan on buying a bottle of water once you have passed through security checkpoints. Similarly, try to use the washroom just before boarding, to avoid the need to use it in flight. Airplane toilets can require you to twist up like a corkscrew - definitely to be avoided if possible, for a Parkinson's victim. And, like I said, stay positive! Traveling with Parkinson's is definitely doable and can make a real difference to your life.
Max Mart
I helped my late mother who had Parkinson's and now I am dealing with it. Making things easier for him by paying for conveniences, even luxuries for him (if you can afford it) would be kind and appreciated if- the key is it is something that takes away his independence that he does not want to ggive up. Losing my independence is what I and likely many PD paitients fear most. You do notnsay how incapacitated your Dad is. Does he have to be in a wheelchair most of the time? I would use onenat the airport but prefer uber and when travelling alone rather than driving, but I assume you would be driving, not him. If you will be staying in a major city, uber and taxis is the best option enabling your Dadnto be as independent as possible for as long as possible is the best thing you can do for him. Have your sister pick a slow dance as the second dance after the ceremony and tell the band to keep it short and have her take your Dad to dance if he can still do it. You will all remember that moment.
MARIO BIANCHI
If possible, flying business class with the extra legroom makes all the difference in the world
Jane Schultz
I have had Parkinson’s for eight yrs. This summer I traveled to Iceland for a weeklong cruise.
One thing I did was book myself an aisle seat on my flights. It gave me more options for changing my position and to stand up for the bathroom or just to stand. I do not need any assistance walking but did take walking sticks which I found helpful on a rocking ship.
Hope you and your father have a great trip.
Mary Riga
Well as a neurologist i think u are very brave to go on such long vacations.Ppl with parkinson's have to be dealt with care and its not always the mobility issues.Its a multiorgan disease and with the climate change,u cant predict,all the factors(heart failure,constipation which might lead to bowel obstruction),etc.If it was me I would have gone close by or with relatives if i had the disease or any other member of my family