Recently we took my 91 year old mom, who lives in an Assisted Living, on a beach vacation. Going to the beach is typically low key and does not require too much preparation, particularly when renting a condo which has all the basic amenities. However, there are many things to remember and consider when having a family member or friend come along who has special requirements, mobility issues, daily medication routines and personal care needs. Depending on where one is traveling to, it may not be easy to fill in gaps of things forgotten. So it was important before embarking on our journey, that a list was made of those critical items that would ensure an experience that was without upset or panic, and that all aspects of the trip ,including destination, vehicle, and accommodations were well considered.
The Americans with Disabilities Act guarantees that disabled travelers receive equal treatment under the law. While this seems like such legislation would protect those individuals, it doesn’t always work out that way in real life, especially in foreign countries where accessibility regulations vary widely. Despite having common sense, considerable public sentiment and strength in numbers, travelers with accessibility and special needs frequently face inadequate facilities, prejudice, misinformation, general hassles and higher prices than other travelers.
Add to this the myriad of specific and varying disabilities that exist, often unique to the person. Airline seats, hotels, and cars are often standard and do not offer adjustments to meet special requests. If you know you are going to need specific arrangements, it is prudent to call ahead and speak about how you might be accommodated. Establishments want your business, but they may need to brainstorm with you as how to make things right for your arrival. Also do not minimize your needs – it is best if you can provide the full details about your situation so nothing is forgotten in making things seamless for your travel and arrival.
It is also helpful to bring with you a letter from your doctor stating you have been cleared to travel and outlining any conditions, medications, special instructions, and emergency numbers where your doctor or other specialist can be reached who knows of your circumstances. Also have emergency contact names with you from back home should they need to be called. Carry all your health care information with you, such as your insurance plans, and find out in advance where health care facilities are located where you are going to be, just in case. Wear a medical alert bracelet if you have one!
Also think about if a connecting or direct flight is best for you. While direct is often easiest, especially if traveling with equipment, walkers, wheelchairs, it is also important to consider if you can walk around the plane and if you are able to use the bathroom on the plane. If this is a problem, you may need more stops on your journey so you can use the facilities in the airport. Also pre-arrange your transportation to and from the airport to be sure the vehicle that is picking you up can provide the accessibility and also space to hold you and your wheelchair or other equipment.
I engaged a colleague of mine, Steve Leichner, a Travel Consultant who owns PSL Travel (www.psltravel.com), to talk to me about senior travel, and what his suggestions are for those going on vacations who have specific care needs that they want to ensure are met in faraway places. I consider Steve a travel guru as he is frequently taking off on new adventures, and is known to take both his grandchildren and his mother in law with him when he and his wife plan a getaway.
First, Steve discussed with me why people travel, particularly with all the new regulations and procedures in place to ensure public safety. People travel for business; they travel to visit family; and they travel to see new sights. Steve personally travels because he loves to visit new places and immerse himself in the culture. Thirty six percent of all leisure travel is by people above the age of 55. This represents $214 billion in spending. Steve accentuates this statistic to illustrate why travel companies go out of their way to court the senior leisure traveler market. This ultimately translates to travel buying power for seniors.
For most seniors on a fixed income, finding a good deal is paramount when choosing a destination. On average, the cost a trip will be about the same whether you book it online or with a travel agency, though sometimes with persistence on line you can catch a special that is only offered for a limited time. In fact, most online companies like Expedia, VacationsToGo and Travelocity are travel agencies. The difference is that there is no personal interaction and you need to do all of the legwork. Also, if there is a problem, you do not have a person to call. You are dealing with “Customer Service.” Steve’s recommendation is to find a travel agent you like and trust. They do not necessarily need to be local, but you do need to be able to pick up the phone and call with any and all questions you may have, or when you run into an issue. For instance, Steve recently had some travelers in a country where there was a strike and the planes were not flying – lucky for them they had Steve working in the middle of the night on United States time to assist them with rebooking and finding their way home safely.
A good agent will be able to answer the important questions which are specific to your travel needs. I posed some of these questions to Steve and he offered some excellent tips.
Is it possible to travel with a disability and have one’s needs met?
The answer to this is that the disability travel market is about $13 billion per year. Travel companies understand this and do what they can to accommodate a person with disabilities, not by giving them special treatment, but rather, by having facilities so they can be treated like everybody else. All you need to do is identify what your needs are. For example, on a recent cruise, Steve’s 90 year old mother-in-law needed the high toilet and the safety bars in the shower. They requested an accessible room with the bars on the left side (yes, you can get that specific!) Beyond that, his mother-in-law did not feel that she was being treated differently because of her needs. In fact, she enjoyed the cruise immensely.
Are foreign countries sensitive to accessibility needs?
The answer is that most progressive countries such as the greater part of Western Europe have laws which result in very accessible travel. When you go to another part of the world, you need to check online or ask your travel agent before you book your trip. Most of the United Kingdom is almost completely accessible. The buses can accommodate wheelchairs and scooters. Most sites have elevators (with a few exceptions which cannot be modified due to historic significance.)
How does one choose a trip that is right for him/her?
The answer is that you need to determine your goals for the trip. Are you sightseeing? Are you adventuring? Do you want beach? Do you want to be pampered? A good travel agent will help you go through your list and come up with the ideal vacation.
What if the traveler takes medication or has mobility issues?
You can always pack enough medication for any timeframe. Use a daily pill sorter and pack your pills that way. You won’t forget any and you will have them readily sorted on the trip. Mobility issues depend on the severity. If your doctor tells you that you can go anywhere, then there is no issue. Just be prepared. It may be hard to find a spare battery for a scooter in a third world country. Also bring along any spare parts or tools which you find are needed more often than not. If you need to buy your prescription on a cruise ship, it might cost you ten times the normal cost! Steve has taken his mother-in-law to the Caribbean, Israel and all over the US (what a son-in-law!). He just makes sure she has what she needs or can get it wherever she is in case of an emergency. He also always buys the travel insurance. A good plan will cover medical emergencies and even evacuations, and your mind can be put at ease knowing you are covered.
How can you get the most out of your travel dollars?
Avoid the peak seasons when possible. You will find your vacations less crowded and less expensive. For example a 7 day Caribbean cruise on Thanksgiving could run over $1500 per person. Two weeks later, the same cabin may run $500 per person. Of course when it is a family trip being planned, often it is the adult children’s schedules that must be accommodated so making plans ahead and using an experienced agent can help you navigate the best offers.
The most important advice Steve said he can give is to use common sense. When you are in a new area, do not go down alleyways off the beaten path. Do not carry your valuables in the street. If you want to haggle with street vendors, remember that if it seems too good to be true it probably is! Don’t stray from your guided tour group. Don’t flash wads of cash.
With these things in mind, you can always have a great vacation!
You can contact Jane Bloom, (425) 299 6020, The Other Daughter, at [email protected]