Tomakin: Tips for elderly travelers

Monday, July 11, 2011

I AM now back in the US after a month or so in the Philippines. Having an office in Cebu makes me go there as often as I could. Taking a "28-hour intercontinental halfway-around-the-world" travel does not bother me yet as I am still fortunate to have the good health and the strength to do so. I am just wondering how it is for elderly people to take such this strenuous and sometimes unpleasant experience.

Coming back, I was taking my 75-year-old mother-in-law with me. Knowing that it was her first time and with her lack of physical stamina to undergo all the hassles of long distance travel, we decided that it is better for her to do the following things for a safer, more enjoyable journey. So here are some tips I want to share with you.

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1. Consult with your doctor. I always advise my elderly clients to ask their doctor first if they are physically and mentally able to take long distance travel. A trip from the Philippines to the USA is such a stressful, if not a hard one. Do you have a medical condition that would prevent you from sitting long hours on the plane? Or one that would not allow you to be in a closed environment for a long period of time with such a large number of people? Or one that would allow you to keep extra provisions in your carry-on bag? Do you carry a medical device or do you have pacemaker or implants in your body? Have your doctor written a brief note that you can give to the airport staff explaining your medical condition? Ask for extra stock of your maintenance and emergency medications. Keep the doctor's prescription handy. US Customs might check if you are really prescribed of those medications.

2. Seek assistance if necessary. The distance between airport gates and terminals can be long and unfamiliar. Upon check in, inform the airline personnel of your need to be assisted. As I noticed, airline staff are very helpful to the elderly and handicapped. When you get off the plane, somebody will be there to help you sit in a wheelchair and you will be given a ride to your next terminal. There is also a different line and counter for the handicapped and elderly manned by US immigration and customs personnel. If you need special food due to allergies or a medical condition, inform the airline personnel as well so that they could make the necessary adjustments. Do not be afraid or timid about asking for directions, or asking for help. There will always be somebody there to help you.

3. Allow sufficient lay off time. When you book your flight, make sure that there is enough time for baggage claim, customs clearance, immigration checks and transfer time between gates. The elderly need more time than most people in doing these things. A lag of 2-3 hours in between flights is enough for the most part.

4. If possible, have somebody accompany them. Especially for the first timers, those who may not be proficient enough in English or those who may need direct, personal assistance. The help of the airline personnel can only go at a certain point. If your elderly parent really needs direct attention, have somebody accompany him. In my trips, I usually see elderly people on their own but obviously need personal assistance as some of them may have signs of dementia. Elderly people easily get disoriented. In an unfamiliar and strange situation such as in a new city or airport, that experience could be quite stressful for them.

5. Keep your papers and your emergency contact information handy. Make sure you know where you placed your cash, passport, baggage claim tickets, immigration documents, insurance cards, a brief description of your medical condition, including allergies, and the name and telephone number of your emergency contact person. If something untoward happens to you while you are traveling, the emergency personnel would have a way of knowing who you are, what could have caused your emergency, and who to contact to.

These are just some of the tips I could give for the elderly travelers or when you are accompanying one. In their advanced years, they need all the help they could get in order to make their travel a pleasant one.

Bon Voyage!

This column is not a substitute for professional legal advice obtained from a US-licensed immigration attorney. The information contained herein does not constitute a warranty or guarantee or legal advice regarding a reader's specific immigration case. No attorney-client relationship is and shall be established with any reader.

For any questions, comments and observations, please contact Atty. Marco Tomakin at mtomakin@gmail.com