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Our social media community shared advice on how people with Parkinson's disease can reduce stress when vacationing this summer.
- 1. Tell the airport, train station, etc. that you have Parkinson’s disease or are traveling with someone with Parkinson’s. You may be able to board the flight early or get extra help from a flight attendant.
Tell your airline that you have Parkinsons and ask to preboard so that you can take your time storing carryon luggage and finding your seat. Also, select an aisle seat, request a wheelchair if you have a short turnaround on connection flights, and get up at least once on long flights if you are prone to getting stiff. I've found that airline personnel are extremely helpful when I explain what I need and why. Finally, keep all medications with you at all times and if you are traveling alone have a medicalert bracelet/card in your wallet explaining your condition.- 2. Try to add a rest day for your trip, and schedule long layovers when possible. Take stretch breaks and exercise breaks when you can.
- 3. Keep your medicine ina carry-on bag in case you’re separated from your luggage.
- 4. Pack comfort items, extra medicine and a list of your medications and doctor's contact information. Even if you don't normally use a cane, walker or wheelchair, consider bringing or using one if it's convenient.
Make sure you have lots of pockets to put things in. Give yourself plenty of time. Put your important documents in a small purse with a strap over your torso. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Have pillboxes with medication in every bag, pocket, jacket. We travel extensively and I have used the Parkinson's excuse for early boarding only a couple times when our flight got canceled or delayed. But it's nice to know you can use it if you need it. Don't cram too much into every day; allow for down time. Fatigue can set in very quickly. Drink plenty of water and don't skip meals. Relax and enjoy! Living with PD for 11 years...- 5. Prepare for airport security. Keep your medicine in a separate bag so it’s easy to pull out if necessary. Commenters also suggested taking along a certificate from the DBS manufacturer if you had the surgery and applying for TSA pre-screening so you don't have to take off your jacket and shoes.
- 6. Ask for a wheelchair at the airport – whether you need one or not. Several people with Parkinson’sand family members shared this piece of advice. Even if you don't need one or normally use one, being in a wheelchair helps put you on the fast track in an airport, which can help cut down on stress.
- 7. One Twitter follower suggested staying away from mobile check-ins at the gate.
@MichaelJFoxOrg: re traveling w #Parkinsons – oh, and don't use the boarding pass on your phone – tremor can make retrieval a nightmare! :-)- 8. Consider alternatives to flying. Airports can be stressful for anyone, with or without Parkinson’s disease, and planes generally don’t have much space to move around or stretch.Some of our Facebook fans have found traveling by train, car or boat to be easier and ultimately more enjoyable than flying.
- 9. Try to stick with your routine from home, including taking medicine at the same time and exercising a similar amount.
We are going to Paris for two weeks in September - our 4th trip but first since husband diagnosed with PD last Sept....not planning any changes - including his running every morning before breakfast - the 15 hour trip there will be where he gets up a lot and walks around as well as wearing compression socks. Luckily his PD is early stages and shouldn't affect him on our trip.- 10. Enjoy yourself, even if it's at a slower pace than you're used to.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Make Taking a trip Much Easier With This Guidance
Traveling might appear very complex, but if you know what to do, where to go, who to ask for help, and more, you can have a great trip. If you don't know what to do, you can easily get lost or waste money on something you can get cheaper elsewhere. The solid information below is a great guide to prepare you for travel.
Luggage is often a large problem when people travel. While it might seem like a good idea to buy your children small size luggage, remember that they are entitled to a full size carry-on on most major air carriers. This extra luggage space can often save you from checking an extra piece of baggage. This will save you from $25 to $50 on most airlines!
Although you can buy most first aid tools on your various travels, it is still a good idea to have a first aid kit in your bag. You will be well-served to pack some essentials like bandages, soap, aspirin or other pain relievers, cold medicine, prescription medicine, etc. You never know where or when you will need these items, so it's a safe bet to keep them with you just in case.
If you are going to be traveling abroad you may want to consider staying in a hotel which offers you a place to cook your own food. Unlike in America dining out in Europe can be rather pricey, and if you're money minded, it would behoove you to go grocery shopping and prepare your own meals. This may even help you get a better feel for accommodation in whistler the culture of the country you travel to.
Call the airport ahead of time to receive your seat assignment. Without a seat assignment there is a chance that you might be bumped from a flight. If this happens, you could find yourself stuck in the terminal waiting for the next flight. This could take several hours.
When you know you will be on an airplane for an extended amount of time, make sure you dress for the occasion. Wearing tight jeans will not be comfortable and will make you miserable by the end of the ride. Try sweatpants or a loose fitting cotton dress.
If you are traveling to a developing country and are afraid of flying into the middle of nowhere, there are alternatives. You can land at a Western-style airport and use ground transport, such as the train or bus, to arrive at your final destination. This may be safer than flying through the bush but will still allow you to enjoy your exotic vacation.
To bring everything you need on your trip, you need to have reliable luggage. If your luggage is old or cannot contain everything you need, you should go buy new luggage. Do not hesitate to buy expensive luggage. The quality guarantees that your belongings will be protected and good luggage should last you for years.
If you are traveling overseas, be prepared for anything. Cultures are very different once you leave the western world. Don't expect to see anything resembling your normal life until you disembark in the United States again. Planning ahead for this will help you reduce the effects of culture shock during your travels.
When traveling on a cruise ship, it is important to tip the staff members even before they have performed a service. You will come into contact with these employees many times throughout your stay on board, so give your cabin steward an immediate tip once you arrive. The quality of the service you receive is likely to be even better than it would have been otherwise.
Long flights are notorious for cramped quarters. If you stay cramped in your seat for the entire time, there is the possibility you could develop deep vein thrombosis, which can lead to blood clotting in your legs. Take some time to walk around and stretch your legs at least once every hour.
Sometimes it is hard to stay on track with a healhty diet while traveling. There are times you may have to stop at a fast food restaurant. If so, there are a few things you can do to cut calories. First, order your burger with no cheese or condiments. Also, if possible, choose grilled meats and the salad bar.
When visiting America's National Parks, don't just drive around the park. Get out and explore by foot. It is a great experience to visit the park, and see all that it has to offer. The only way to do that is to find a hiking trail and explore the area.
Always read online reviews of the hotels you plan on staying at, the travel service you plan to use and entertainment venues you plan to attend. Many times you will find that many visitors experience the a situation that may be a deal-breaker for you. Or you might learn some positive facts that will help you make your decision.
A great travel tip is to monitor how much water your dog is drinking while during a road trip. Sometimes dogs will drink a lot of water to compensate for being stressed out which can make them vomit a lot. You can avoid this by simply checking up on your dog.
You should try to make your baggage stand out against the average suitcase or baggage. Buy different color bags or decorate your luggage in ways to help it stand out. This will prevent others from mistakenly picking up your luggage.
Make good travel plans and leave a copy of this itinerary with a friend or family member at home. You do not need to plan out every minute of your time away, but you should have a rough idea of what you will be doing and when. List any flights, tours, hotel reservations, and reservations for dinners or shows.
Postcards make a wonderful souvenir of your travels. If something special happens during your trip, buy a postcard from the place you are visiting, and write down the memory on the back of the card. Use the postcards to help you decorate an album or scrapbook; they are a special way to remember what you experienced.
Make sure you pack all of your necessary medications, and carry additional documentation regarding your medical conditions if necessary, but don't pack your luggage with items you can easily purchase at your destination. Most countries will sell some form of Tylenol or other over-the-counter pain relievers, as well as sunscreen, band-aids, and other travel essentials. Save the space in your luggage and purchase those items when you arrive!
You should now apply these tips and plan a nice vacation for yourself. Planning a good vacation requires some good organization skills: if you do not have those, these tips should help you in your efforts towards organizing a stress-free trip.ALWAYS CHECK THE AIRPORT / AIRLINES, TRAINS, BUSES AS TO WHAT IS PERMITTED TO TAKE WITH YOU. NEVER ASSUME.
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