I know travel, especially flying, has changed drastically in the last decade. I saw Kathleen's thread and started wondering what tips we have for travelling with our loved ones.

Last year my Oma flew from Toronto to California to have Christmas and a cruise with my Uncle and his family. I researched all the new restrictions and made sure we knew exactly what she could put in her carry-on, and what she needed to keep in her main luggage.
My Christmas gift to her was a clear plastic cosmetics bag (so that if security went through her luggage they could see right through the bag). I filled it with things like mini shampoo and conditioner and lotion. I also put in some Immodium and Sunscreen (for sensitive skin, since she recently had shingles) and explained to her that the 15-year-old bottles of sunscreen she already had are expired and would not protect her from the sun on the cruise.

I thought the coolest thing in her cosmetic bag was a pair of pressure-point bracelets that I got at a pharmacy to prevent motion sickness. I wanted to make sure she wouldn't get sea-sick on the plane or the cruise, but I didn't want to give her MORE medication.

I checked what kind of snacks Oma could bring on the plane, and she brought packages of Melba toast with her because they help settle her stomach.

Anyone have any suggestions or ideas on easing travel for our loved ones?

gs, there are many interesting things about that site. This article is right on time, Thanks.

Here is an informative article about seniors traveling. I hope it helps.
http://ezinearticles.com/?Senior-Travel-During-Holidays...o-Be-Scary&id=853487

It is a very good idea to place your LO in a rear seat of a car, making sure the child safety locks and window locks are engaged. Twice my mother has tried to exit my moving vehicle (while sitting in the front passenger seat)---once at high-speed on the freeway! She was not frantic or trying to run away...she was simply ready to get out, and could not see that it was not safe to do so.[/QUOTE]

I don't often post on the ec site because I "assume" (and you know what they say about assume) that people already know. My biggest fear when mom is in the car with me - even a few blocks is that she will do exactly that, decide to leave the car. And especially if she doesn't want to go wherever we are going (doctor, lab, etc.) You just can't count on their mental abilities to do what or not do what they should. I load up the front seat with "stuff" and apologize for the mess and tell her there just isn't room to put it elsewhere and would she please sit in the back. Works for everyone.

Hi mar, What happened to you with your mom is something that has never even crossed my mind! And now is something I will always keep in mind. Thanks you for sharing.

Here's a tip regarding travel (on the road) that may seem too obvious to warrant a post, but I nearly learned this lesson in THE most difficult way.

It is a very good idea to place your LO in a rear seat of a car, making sure the child safety locks and window locks are engaged. Twice my mother has tried to exit my moving vehicle (while sitting in the front passenger seat)---once at high-speed on the freeway! She was not frantic or trying to run away...she was simply ready to get out, and could not see that it was not safe to do so.

Great Thread, Sis!

• Plan to stop often for resting, bathroom trips and moving around. Elderly folks cannot sit as long as younger folks can.
• In case you get separated, have your cell phone number and name written on a piece of paper tucked in their pocket, or written on a tag in their collar with laundry marker.
• Be sure they wear shoes that can be loosened - feet have a tendency to swell when travelling.
• Bring extra supplies like Depends, wipes, undies, Clorox clean-up wipes, etc. in case a urinary or bowel accident occurs.
• Be sure your loved one drinks enough fluids - they have a tendency to NOT drink because of the bathroom trips, but airplanes are especially dehydrating, as is riding in a car. Keep those kidneys flushed and that body hydrated even at the expense of a few more potty breaks...
• Be sure your loved one shifts their sitting position frequently while travelling. Folks can sit soooo still sometimes they can develop pressure injuries on their "sitting bones" or on an elbow, ankle, etc. that happens to be resting against something hard.
• Pack your loved ones bag for them or, at the very least, with them. It's better to KNOW what is in that bag so as not to have any surprises during security screenings...

note for the slow moving elderly. notify the airline in advance and they will have an an airport motor cart waiting to transfer them if there are gate changes to take place. distances are usually too great for the elderly to make the O.J. run through the airport. have change on hand for pay phones if needed. ideally a calling card works best. also, small denominations for snack machines or drinks if they end up with a delayed flight, some airports have very limited concessions available in the late nights and the delays can be lengthy at times. also, as sis said, pack favorite snacks. saltines are good for motion sickness.include hard candies, sugar free if that's what they can have, but sucking hard candy can help clear the ears. make sure they get up and walk to keep clots from forming in the legs. circulation is vital! to be continued....