Hello, I am so happy to have found this group. I am getting ready to move my father, age 87, who has MS and is in a wheelchair from Alabama to Oregon. He is currently in a nursing home and will be in a nursing home here. My precious mother who has cared for him for many years is also coming and she will live with my family. My question is...where to begin...is there a book or list of issues to consider or anything to help me plan all the different aspects of this type of move. I anticipate going to Alabama and escorting them back here on a commercial airliner. I look forward to hearing your suggestions.

Sandy

I don't know about books, but a non stop flight would be best. I suppose that's not possible from Alabama. I would plan enough time into the first stop between flights to take care of things like restroom breaks. I don't think you would want to try the lav on the plane. Other issues, others would have to chime in.

I tried to find a ms patient specific transport site but had no luck. I did run across www.patienttravel.org which is the website of an organization providing information on travel by air including possible discounts. Maybe they can give you helpful info.

The first thing you are going to need is a letter from a doctor certifying that your father is okay to fly. At 87 and a nursing home patient, the airline is going to require such a letter before issuing him a ticket. You will also need to make sure when booking his ticket that the airline understands he is a wheelchair passenger who requires assistance, even if he can still walk. Depending on the airports you transit through, the distance between gates can be quite far (and fatiguing even for us younger folks).

When packing for the flight, make sure all his medications and his medical records are in his carryon bag and not in his checked luggage. You can't take bottled water through security, but you can usually buy some after clearing security. Do so. He will need the water for his medications, and to prevent dehydration while in flight. Snack foods he likes such as fruit or crackers and cheese are also advisable since meals will be irregular (and on planes sometimes inedible) on the day of travel.

Try to get to the airport well ahead of normal check-in time. It's annoying to have to sit and wait, but with airline travel these days, if something can go wrong it probably will, so it is good to have extra time to iron out any glitches that might occur.

A change of clothing in his carryon bag might also be advisable. His clothing should be loose fitting, comfortable, and easy to change in the event of an accident. As DeafFlyer says, it is easier to tend to bathroom needs in an airport than on a plane. Most airports now have what are euphemistically called "family" toilet areas where a passenger who needs assistance can be accompanied by a family member of the opposite sex.

That's all I can think of for the moment. Good luck with your trip. As you can probably tell, "been there, done that."