Travelling With an Elderly Parent: A Checklist

Before you decide: is the trip right?

• Talk to your parent. Do they want to go? What are their worries?
• Check health. If your parent has a heart, lung, kidney or other serious condition, has recently been ill or had surgery, or has dementia, ask the doctor whether the trip is safe and what precautions are needed.
• Consider the purpose and the pace. A short, gentle trip may be better than a packed itinerary.
• Choose the time of year to avoid extreme heat, monsoon floods, severe cold or crowded festivals; see heat stroke and dehydration in seniors.
• Choose the destination with accessibility, climate, altitude and healthcare in mind. High altitude, for example, can be risky for heart and lung conditions.
• Plan who goes, with at least one capable adult dedicated to your parent's needs.
• Budget for comfort: better seats, accessible hotels and taxis.

Health preparation

• Doctor's check a few weeks before, including review of medicines, vaccinations and fitness to travel. Ask for a letter summarising conditions, medicines and allergies.
• Vaccines: check routine and travel vaccines; see vaccines for older adults in India.
• Medicines: enough for the whole trip plus extra days, in original packaging, in hand luggage, with a list and copies of prescriptions; see setting up a weekly medicine box and pill organisers. Keep a day's supply separate.
• Adjust medicine times for time zones or long journeys, with the doctor's advice.
• Chronic condition plans: diabetes (sugar checks, snacks, sugar for lows), heart conditions, asthma and COPD (inhalers, oxygen), epilepsy, kidney disease and others; see diabetes after 60 and travelling with oxygen.
• Health devices: blood pressure monitor, glucometer, oximeter, thermometer; see home health monitoring starter kit.
• First aid kit, including pain relief as advised, oral rehydration salts, dressings, antiseptic, anti-diarrhoeal and motion-sickness medicine only as the doctor advises.
• Travel insurance covering pre-existing conditions and medical evacuation, where relevant.
• Emergency information: a card with name, address, contacts, conditions, allergies and medicines; see emergency contact card and medical summary.
• Find healthcare at the destination: hospitals, pharmacies and doctors near your accommodation.

Documents

• Photo ID and, for flights, the ID the airline accepts.
• Tickets and booking confirmations.
• Medical letters and prescriptions.
• Insurance papers.
• Senior citizen concession cards or proof of age, where relevant.
• Emergency contact list.
• Copies, digital and paper.
• Cash and cards, with a plan for safe keeping.

Transport

### By car

See wheelchair and car travel and getting an elderly person in and out of a car.

• Break every one to two hours for stretching, toilet and fluids.
• A comfortable seat with a cushion and a supportive position; see car seat cushions for older passengers.
• Seat belts, always.
• Plan the route for road quality and rest stops.
• Avoid driving at night or in extreme weather.

### By train

• Book lower berths or accessible seats, if possible, and ask about wheelchair and assistance services at stations.
• Choose trains with reasonable timings and fewer platform changes.
• Reach early, and use a porter or battery car for long platform walks.
• Carry water and food; avoid risky street food and unsafe water.
• Keep medicines and documents in hand luggage.

### By air

See trains, flights and airport assistance for seniors.

• Request wheelchair or assistance at booking.
• Arrive early.
• Carry medicines, a medical letter and a list in hand luggage.
• Walk and move during long flights; see compression stockings guide.
• Stay hydrated and avoid alcohol.
• Check airline rules for oxygen, batteries and medical devices.

### By bus or taxi

• Choose reliable, comfortable options; avoid long, rough bus journeys.
• Agree fares and routes; avoid late-night transport.

Accommodation

• Ground floor or lift access, with step-free entrance.
• Accessible room and bathroom: grab bars, a shower seat, non-slip floor, a western toilet; ask for photos or details.
• Quiet, comfortable room, with a good bed at the right height.
• Air conditioning or heating as needed.
• Close to key places and medical help.
• Meal arrangements that suit dietary needs.
• Bring a non-slip mat, a night light, a portable alert device and a familiar item from home.
• Check the room on arrival for hazards: loose rugs, cables, slippery floors.

What to pack

Medical: medicines, devices, supplies, first aid, spare glasses, hearing aid batteries, dentures supplies, incontinence products if needed.

Mobility and comfort: a folding stick, walker or wheelchair as needed; see folding walking sticks for travel; cushions and a neck pillow; see neck pillows for travel and sleep; supportive shoes; compression stockings if prescribed.

Clothing: layers, light cotton for heat, warm clothes for cold, a hat, a shawl, a rain jacket, non-slip footwear and a change of clothes in hand luggage.

Food and drink: a water bottle, snacks that suit health conditions, glucose for diabetics, and electrolytes.

Technology: phone with charger and a power bank, a GPS tracker if wandering is a concern; see GPS trackers for seniors.

Hygiene: wipes, hand sanitiser, tissues, toiletries, bags for waste.

Comfort items: a favourite blanket, glasses, a book, a prayer book or something to occupy the time.

Pack light but sensibly, with essentials in hand luggage.

During the trip

• Pace the days. Plan one main activity a day, with rests; avoid cramming.
• Plan rests, a nap and quiet time, especially in heat.
• Fluids and food: regular meals, plenty of safe water, avoid unclean food and drink; see diarrhoea and dehydration in seniors.
• Medicines on time, with an alarm or a routine.
• Mobility: use aids, wheelchairs for long distances, handrails and help on steps; see mobility aids for temples, weddings and family gatherings.
• Heat, cold and altitude: dress for the weather; pace at altitude; stop if breathless.
• Toilet access: note toilets, carry supplies; see incontinence when travelling or out.
• Watch for illness: fever, diarrhoea, breathlessness, chest pain, confusion, swelling.
• Safety in crowds: keep close, hold hands, wear an ID, agree a meeting place.
• Keep valuables safe.
• Stay in touch with home and the doctor.
• Be flexible. If your parent is tired or unwell, change the plan.

Special needs

Dementia. Keep routines, avoid overstimulation, use ID and a GPS tracker, bring familiar items and travel with a trusted companion; see wandering and dementia safety.

Mobility problems. Plan access and equipment; consider hiring a wheelchair at the destination.

Heart and lung conditions. Medical clearance, medicines, oxygen plans and avoidance of altitude and extremes; see oxygen and heart conditions: travel.

Diabetes. Meals, snacks, medicines and sugar checks; hypoglycaemia plan.

Incontinence. Supplies, easy-access seats, spare clothes.

Hearing and vision loss. Extra support in noisy, unfamiliar places.

Emergencies

• Know the local emergency number (112 in India) and nearest hospital.
• Carry the medical summary and insurance details.
• Have a plan: who calls, who stays with your parent, who contacts family.
• If your parent becomes unwell, seek help early.
• Keep calm and take your parent's medical history to doctors.

After the trip

Allow a rest day. Check feet, skin and swelling. Review medicines and any problems. Note what went well, and what to change next time. Reassure your parent, and plan the next outing.

When to ask a professional

Ask a doctor before travel if your parent has significant health conditions, and for a medical letter. A physiotherapist or occupational therapist can advise on mobility and equipment. A travel agent experienced in senior and accessible travel can help with bookings. Our care advisors can arrange a trained companion and equipment for trips.