Community Chat

[sunshine45]

she may have been chatting with you, but what do her KIDS know that you may not know?......a lot........so maybe that is why they would be concerned?  i know that my soon to be 79 year old mother does not want to fly anymore, but she doesnt mind traveling by car or train.

[dulwich]

Wanted to get some feedback thank you.

Just to answer questions she is here in CA would fly out of S.F. - as I do - and it is a 10 hour flight.

My comments to her were be escorted to airport, wear compression stockings, comfy clothes layers preferably, have good book, just pack one lightweight bag easy to handle, let the stewardess know who you are - she said she would be met at London Airport and driven to friends home where she will stay.  They also would see her off when she leaves.

 She definitely is no invalid, very capable still volunteering and organizing charity events here - so she is not, to my knowledge impaired physically - just getting older, as she says.

None of her family are interested in going.

I told her to go for it as it evidently means a lot to her.

[chiclets]

I think she should check with her doctor and get his confirmation that there is not a medical reason she should not go.

I think if she wants to travel she should.

I also will take the liberty to say that at 81 her children should consider her wishes and make any effort they can to have one of them go with her, even if it means having a shorter visit, it would still be the trip she wants to make. It is something they could do to ease their own concern if she goes.

I sometimes believe that children forget how much a memory and meaning a wish by a parent can mean to their mom or dad. Making the time, effort, and sacrifice to help a parent is not too much in return for all they shared with her. But if she does not want one of them to go with her then that is her choice also.

If they could encourage and not discourage that would also help.

She wants to see her homeland one more time and that is something many of us can understand and respect.

[Shiloh09]

I think if she feels like she can manage, go for it! She might consider a check up and discussion with her personnel physician. She can pre-arrange transport through the airline to obtain luggage, get through customs etc. Finally, she must obtain travelers insurance when traveling internationally! I advise that to anyone. My reimbursement for doctors visit in NZ was within 2 weeks of me filing it!! There are specific companies geared toward travel insurance. One can pick and choose their coverage. I love that she has the desire to go! 

[dulwich]

@chiclets   I so agree with your comments I think you have ‘hit the nail on the head’ so to speak.

[Shiloh09]

If she would like someone to go with her, i"ll volunteer!! LOL

[patbz]

@dulwich :  If your friend is sufficiently healthy to make this trip be sure she takes out Medjet (or similar travel health insurance) just so she can easily get home, get proper and prompt care.  

[september]

A ten hour flight is nothing to scoff at, but can be carried off at any age if the traveler is prepared. 

My parents were in their mid 80’s when they traveled from the east coast to the west for my sons wedding. They had already expressed concerns about the travel, so another sibling took over their arrangements and made sure they had the support they might need. Being met at the import, and having someone to help with luggage pickup, transport to the hotel, etc 

[MarieIG]

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@dulwich wrote:

Wanted to get some feedback thank you.

Just to answer questions she is here in CA would fly out of S.F. - as I do - and it is a 10 hour flight.

My comments to her were be escorted to airport, wear compression stockings, comfy clothes layers preferably, have good book, just pack one lightweight bag easy to handle, let the stewardess know who you are - she said she would be met at London Airport and driven to friends home where she will stay.  They also would see her off when she leaves.

 She definitely is no invalid, very capable still volunteering and organizing charity events here - so she is not, to my knowledge impaired physically - just getting older, as she says.

None of her family are interested in going.

I told her to go for it as it evidently means a lot to her.

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This is all good advice.  I would also recommend her using a good travel agent to help her will all stages of the trip, from a pickup at home, to a wheel chair at the airport, to the TSA pass (or whatever that is called) to flying first class, and getting trip and medical insurance.

Spend a bit of the kids' inheritance and do it right.

[dulwich]

@patbz  Re any medical treatment she may need should a problem arise I asked her about this and  she still has British passport/green card has never taken out citizenship so she can get medical help anywhere in U.K. Hopefully not needed!