Tips for elderly travelers

In my frequent travels from the US to the Philippines and vice versa, I am always amazed at the energy and stamina of fellow passengers who are already into their seventies, eighties or even nineties. The body, mine at least, always takes the beating from the rigors of the almost 30-hour intercontinental flight. I asked myself how elderly people could endure this sometimes unpleasant experience.

The following are just some of the tips I learned from these senior citizens who willingly shared to me how they prepare for these long-haul flights.

1. Consult your doctor. Ask your doctor first if you are physically and mentally able to take long distance travel. Do you have a medical condition that would worsen or even 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 write a brief note that you can give to the airport staff explaining your medical condition. Ask for extra stock of your maintenance drugs and emergency medications. Keep the doctor's prescription handy. US Customs might check if you are really prescribed of those medications.

2. Always seek assistance. The distance between airport gates and terminals can be long and unfamiliar. When purchasing your ticket and upon check-in, inform the airline personnel of your need to be assisted. 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. Make sure that you get a confirmation from the airline personnel that you are one of the individuals listed in the assistance list. Take advantage of the dedicated counter for the handicapped and elderly manned by your airline, 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 layoff 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 two to three hours in between flights is usually sufficient.

4. If possible, have someone accompany you. If this is your first time to the US, or you may not be proficient enough in English or your personal circumstances warrant the need for a personal assistance, you must have somebody with you. Request the airline that you must be seated next to each other. The help of the airline personnel can only go at a certain point. In my trips, I usually see elderly people out 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 easily a stressful experience for them.

5. Keep your travel documents and your emergency contact information handy. Make sure you know where you placed your cash, passport, ID cards, airline ticket, baggage claim stubs, immigration documents, insurance cards, personal effects such as your hearing aids or eyeglasses, medication bottles. It would also help if you carry a brief summary 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.

6. When you can, always make sure you get enough rest and sleep. Eat well and always rehydrate. An aisle seat near the restroom is always preferable so that you do not have to walk far. Entertain yourself to fight off boredom. Perform some exercises in order to prevent deep vein thrombosis or pooling of your blood in your lower extremities. This can be fatal and must always be prevented.

Long distance travel is by itself already a very stressful activity. Following these tips could at least help make your air travel a pleasant, enjoyable and memorable experience.  Bon voyage!US IMMIGRATION NOTES Atty Marco Tomakin