Air travel with disability HELP

[andrea t]

Mom lives with me and my family. She had a stroke a year ago, has a weak left side and walks unsteady, even with her walker. This August we're taking her with us on our vacation. She is 78, has never flown before and I have some concerns. Hope these questions don't sound stupid, but any advice would be much appreciated.

Do I tell the airline in advance that she does not walk well? I'd like to board first.

I'm afraid if she needs to use the bathroom. How can I help her if the bathroom is so tiny and will they let me stand ouside the bathroom door on the plane? They're strict about that these days.

Can I get a wheel chair when I get to the airport or should I bring one just for the airport?

If I bring one, is it brought on the plane like strollers are?

Any other advice? Thank you.

 

[Passepartout]

By all means, tell the airline. A wheelchair will meet you either at the door or at the check-in counter. Your entire party will get priority through security and your party will board first and a wheelchair will be at the aircraft door at destination. The same rules about liquids, computers, shoes apply to the handicapped too. DW and I both have parents in this condition. Tip the persons who push the chair so you don't have to. Have your parent bring their handicap parking tag if you will be renting a car on vacation.

Airplane lavatories are tiny. You will be seated in the front and no one is allowed to stand outside the forward restroom. Try to take her before boarding. Depends (pads) may be necessary, unless she can go on her own.

You can check a walker or wheelchair, but not bring one aboard. Use the one from the airport.

78 and a first flight. That will be an adventure. Tell the flight attendant when you board, If they have time, they can make it much more pleasant for her. Of course, with the problems the airlines have, don't bank on it.

Jim Ricks

 

[3kids4me]

1. Most airlines have assistance lines that you can call in advance. They can provide a wheelchair for you. However, during busy times there can be a wait, and so I would suggest that you bring your own wheelchair.

2. If you bring your own wheelchair, you can wheel it right up to the door of the plane and then it will be "gate-checked" for you. They will have it waiting for you when you de-plane.

3. Your mother will be allowed to board first if you request it.

4. They will let you stand outside the bathroom door on the plane.

It sounds like your mother is having a lot of difficulty. Have you evaluated whether it is a good idea for her to travel in general?

Mom lives with me and my family. She had a stroke a year ago, has a weak left side and walks unsteady, even with her walker. This August we're taking her with us on our vacation. She is 78, has never flown before and I have some concerns. Hope these questions don't sound stupid, but any advice would be much appreciated.

Do I tell the airline in advance that she does not walk well? I'd like to board first.

I'm afraid if she needs to use the bathroom. How can I help her if the bathroom is so tiny and will they let me stand ouside the bathroom door on the plane? They're strict about that these days.

Can I get a wheel chair when I get to the airport or should I bring one just for the airport?

If I bring one, is it brought on the plane like strollers are?

Any other advice? Thank you.

 

[andrea t]

It sounds like your mother is having a lot of difficulty. Have you evaluated whether it is a good idea for her to travel in general?

Yes, A million times over. Both my parents lived with me. Dad passed away in May. As is the "norm" for Tuggers, we (me, dh and 15 year old son) travel often. Although I have a brother and sister, mom will not stay with brother. She was never close with sil and feels uncomfortable. Every August we bring my sister and her family with us to our "time share vacation", Being that my son is an only child, he looks forward to the week with his cousins. I didn't want to disappoint him. Driving is out of the question and there's no place else to leave her.
Being their caregiver (Dad was ill too) is a day to day challenge and I'm trying hard not to cheat my family of the things we would normally do. It's just not always easy!

Thank you both for the advice.

 

[chellej]

I took my mom "home" (Texas to Pa) several times after she had a debilitating stroke (paralyzed on one side and could not walk at all) . It is a challenge but as advised, take her to the rest room on at the airport before you get on and make sure she wears depends (you may also want to bring a change of clothes for her).

She will probably enjoy the change of scenary and seeing the rest of your family. I took care of my mom for 7 years before she passed away and they were the hardest years but I don't regret it for a second. You need to make sure you take care of yourself as well. Good Luck

 

[Blondie]

Good for you. Airlines are ususlly really good about elderly and infirm- allowing you to speed through security, customs, if one is in a wheelchair. I think you will be fine. You can walk with her to the lav and stand outside- I have seen many passengers do this when they are waiting. Truly- it is so tiny in there that she can't really fall, can she? Perhaps choose clothing that is easy for her to maneuver when she goes to the lav, maybe a light, loose dress so she does not have to undo slacks. Perhaps you could leave the door ajar by a few inches and stand there to hold her arm? Lavs toward the back of the place really have nothing around them so you could probably just assist her without privacy being too much of an issue. Have fun.

 

[pwrshift]

My sister is having back problems and needed wheelchair assistance for a recent flight. She said the airline was just great, but the only problem was in Calgary where the plane was out on the tarmack and passengers had to climb stairs to get on the plane. They had to use a baggage lift to get her on the plane in the wheelchair - she didn't like it at first, but the staff was very good. At the other end, there was no problem as the plane was right at the terminal.

Brian

 

[falmouth3]

Another option for seniors to travel...

My sister and I were both taking round trips to pick up my mother and then bring her home, I from MA to Long Island. My sister lives in Delaware. Each round trip killed a day for each of us. Then about 2 years ago we had a brainstorm. One of us would make one round trip and Mom would visit for a week. Then we'd put her on a direct, non-stop flight to the other sister's house. The airport provides wheelchairs and if you ask, I think most airlines will provide a paper pass so that you can take your family member to the gate and wait with them. So Mom gets door-to-door service. She always tells me how wonderful the flight attendants are to her. And with gas prices and tolls the way they are, my sister and I actually save money when we split the price of a ticket instead of driving another round trip.

Last year Mom flew from Long Island on a non-stop flight to Las Vegas, where we picked her up. My sil drove Mom to the airport that time. Mom had an attendant bring her in a wheelchair to baggage claim where we met her. This year she'll be flying to Phoenix and we'll meet her there and bring her to Sedona. She's thrilled that she's still able to travel. The tricky part is coordinating schedules to make sure everyone is available for getting her to and from the airport.