Traveling abroad with Parkinson’s disease requires much planning

I was diagnosed with young onset PD 15 years ago and had a job that required extensive international travel. I have found a few things that are helpful. First, keeping track of body time on long international flights can be difficult. I came up with the technique of starting a stopwatch on my phone or watch at a specific time prior to boarding the plane. Then when I get on the plane and start flying, I always know what my body time is and what doses I should be adjusting either earlier or later. Second, I use four weekly pill organizers (morning, afternoon, evening, and overnight). If the trip is longer than one week, I bring my spare pills for the following week in the actual prescription bottles with the labels. Security can then verify the labels with my passport, and if they have questions I can explain the function of each medication. This decreases the likelihood of security getting concerned about pills in unlabeled bottles.

Not to mention the bedrail, walker, cane, scooter, bandages, neosporin, pills, non-pill medicines, etc. How to get proper exercise while traveling, how to mitigate the fall risk, etc etc. etc. I cannot imagine how challenging this will be for you all!

I was diagnosed 6 years ago and have in the past year or so begun getting wheelchair assistance from the ticket counter to the gate which I request when making my reservations. I also have Global Entry. This tends to get me through the security screening quicker. My mobility is affected by the PD although I am still able to walk short distances. Standing for long periods of time is a problem. Depending on the airline, you will probably be pre-boarded for your flight. All of my essential medications and medical supplies are packed in my rolling carry on. I also get wheel chair assist at my destination. After falling down trying to get my carry on out of the overhead storage, I learned to ask for help. Living and traveling with PD is a learning experience.

You can hire a tour guide online that will pickup your Dad at the airport and take him to the venue or a hotel then to the venue and return him to the airport where you should have contacted the airline to arrange for a wheelchair in both airports. I hope this was helpful but it won't be inexpensive around $400.00 USD I would check it out and if you have any questions you can email me. My wife Natalie has PD
but wasn't diagnosed before our last trip to Europe. You could call the airline and see how they can help.
Russell Edelstein Palm Beach County FLORIDA

We were in Barcelona last year for the World Parkinson’s Congress. The people running the conference went to Barcelona several months ahead to educate about Parkinson’s. They trained police, taxi drivers, hotel staff, restaurant workers, and more about PD, and what they might experience. We had a lovely time there.
You know that your dad can carry a ‘medical equipment’ bag in addition to his carryon. We do that for our cpap machines. A friend does it for his other devices. They have to let you carry that on in addition to the carryon suitcase.
Be sure to schedule a wheelchair for him to get from checkin to the plane, and back to baggage at the destination. That gets him to the plane without him expending so much energy, avoids confusion, and sometimes gets him to board early.
Barcelona often has bad air quality, because the ships in port produce exhaust which is trapped by the mountains. Have him prepared with inhalers or even face masks if he might need them.
Good luck and have a fun time. Preparation will allow you to enjoy the trip.

My husband and I went to Ireland for a couple of weeks a year ago. I have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s for 10 years now. I was very worried about possible problems, but by looking at it ahead of time, we did just fine. We made sure we didn’t have any heavy schedules to worry about. We traveled with a tour group by bus. Because I didn’t have to do a whole lot of walking and getting too tired, we managed to have a very nice time. Of course it took some time to get back in sync when I got home, but it was worth the hassle. The only problems we really had were the flights here and there. All of our flights were late. Be sure all meds are in two different places. Carry some with you at all times but also have extras packed in luggage. That is one of the big important things. Having a set schedule is vital. On the way there I took my meds every three hours, but when I got there, I switched to the same schedule that I would have at home.

I found wearing two watches when I fly across time zones to be helpful. The first is my “ regular” Applevwatch, that
will update automatically to the local time with each time zone change. The second is a traditional Nurses Watch with a light up dial and traditional hour, linute and second hands. I leave this in the same time zone as home, and use it to time medications for the flights and for the first day or so after landing.

Having similar concerns with my husband. Want to hear anything that might help for travel issues, sleep, frequent need to urinate, stiffness and the like. Thanks for helping your dad and the PD patients. It’s such a cruel disease!

Use a wheelchair at the airport, even if you don’t use one at home or you don’t feel you need one. The airlines have lots of wheelchairs to loan and they encourage you to take advantage of that I had to be convinced by my family… I guess it was kind of a pride thing… To use a wheelchair and I finally agreed and it was the best decision I’ve ever made in terms of travel.

What about bathroom needs? All along the way - on the plane, at the airport? What about support equipment for waitning in line. What happens if meds are lost or if new symptoms emerge on the trip that would "disqualify him from returning home by plane? A few things to add to your list which seems to be a little "light."

Reserve a wheelchair for the departing flight at the US airport through the airline you are flying on. Even if your dad is able to walk, the wheelchair will come with an assistant and you will be given priority boarding. You will probably be given extra assistance and attention going thru the TSA security. Going thru security in a wheelchair will reduce the stress of the experience. Also, if he is flying round trip on the same airline, the wheelchair request will be carried over to the return flight, I think. Additionally, He will probably be met with a wheelchair when he lands in Spain. This has been my experience. Call the airline and address wheelchair concerns before the trip. Sounds like a great trip!

BAZ is 77 and we travel frequently .depending on flight times he will take his meds early .we ignore the time change and take extra med during the dayv

very interesting

I live on Cape Cod