I have written for information and advice before. We were going to move into an apt. that our daughter and son-in-law would build over their garage. We were advised against that and our daughter took your advice. Our daughter and her husband purchased a home with a legal Accessory Dwelling Unit in the back yard. It is perfect for us. Being in LA will give us a much quicker access to medical assistance and many other family services. Being closer to our daughter, son-in-law and grandchild is going to be wonderful.
My question is how to prepare for the flight to LA from Co. We will be flying to LA sometime in January. We have flown many times before but we have stopped driving to LA because it is a 3 day trip. We have not flown for the past 2 years. We have always loved the drive but I am not sure my wife would be up for that anymore.
I would like to know how to make the flight easier and more comfortable for my wife. It would be a 6 or 7 hour very busy day (noisy, crowded, confusing) as opposed to three long days on the road. My daughter or our sons wife have offered to fly with us to help my wife with the facilities in the airport and/or on the plane (the last time we flew my wife went to the bathroom in DIA and I waited at the door and heard her calling my name, Ed, over and over. I asked a woman if she could go and get my wife and she said she would but then my wife came out helped by another woman. They were great people, very compassionate and understanding.
I would get plane tickets for the early morning, preferably on the least busiest day (if there even is such a thing). My wife gets very tired by the late afternoon and shows more signs of sundowners syndrome, anxiety and confusion.
Should I even think of some sort of pre-flight anxiety medication that I could probably get from our doctor. What about wearing something like Depends, Tena Intimates or the like. She does not need anything like that at present but might it make the flight easier for her and for me. I have thought about noise cancelling earphones or an iPad and ear plugs with some of her favorite (Maury, Steve Wilcos, etc.)TV shows or especially DVD's of music concerts (the Eagles, Elton John, John Lennons 75th birthday celebration, etc.). She does love the music of our lives (the 50's, 60's, 70's). Movies don't work because she can no longer follow a plot line or understand what the movie is all about.
My wife has been diagnosed with AD for 5 years but we knew that she had a problem for several years before that diagnosis (we thought it was senioritis but expected worse eventually). I have been looking at several sites that give the 7 stages of AD. I don't find them very helpful because while I would say she is in stage 5/6, she exhibits signs from all 7 stages.
This will be our last move (I am 81 and my wife is 76) and last trip and I am hoping to make it as smooth and as comfortable for my wife as possible. I know that many others have experienced this before and I am sure that I will receive many well thought out responses. I expect that I have not even thought of some of the cares and considerations that should be addressed. Any advice or suggestions that you can give will be greatly appreciated.
As my father used to say during the last 2 years of his terminal illness "growing old is not for sissies". I agree.
Thank you for any help and advice you my give me.
Sincerely,
Ed
Enjoy your grandkids in Colorado! The Rockies are spectacular.
LAX is a nightmare at best. I never flew in to that airport, unless I was headed to Hawaii and then I HAD too.
Cali, can you give a list of smaller airports?
planws to and from our regional airport.
I knew I would get wonderful, helpful, caring and compassionate responses to my questions.
I will certainly get a wheelchair for her both at the DIA airport and at LAX . I am going to start calling some airlines today to get some information about wheelchairs, lines at security check in and how they would respond to my wife. My wife can get out of the wheelchair to walk through the inspection machine. We will not be carrying any luggage except for what my wife will need on the flight. I know that airlines are suspicious of people with one way tickets and no luggage.
Whatever we need in CA will be shipped to us or driven out to our new home by our son and/or son-in-law. Our son will be handling the sale of our home in CO (he only lives 3 miles from us). I can't imagine that it will be sold until sometime in the early spring (I hope). We live in the mountains and already have had 2 feet of snow. I used to love snow, skiing, sledding, shoveling, snow blowing, whatever, but no longer. We will be glad to live in So. California with a 12 month growing season.
So I thank everyone who has responded to my query. You are all wonderful people.
Sincerely,
Ed
You are a lovely husband to your wife and I wish you both the very best of luck in your new home.
Rent a large SUV with bench seats for laying down. At some point, check into a motel and everyone freshen up, nap, then hit the road. A 3 day trip could become much shorter driving all night and most of the daytimes.
If it is reasonable, you can rent an RV, even a smaller Class B RV, such as a Pleasure Way or a Roadtrek. You will be bringing your own kitchen and toilet that way. Check the roads in January.
Any senior would probably be wise to wear depends. We never know what to expect. If she hasn’t needed them before she probably won’t now either but why take the chance? I would try those prior to travel as well as the anxiety meds.
How does she do when you go out now? Does she get anxious? Repeat herself etc? I would expect a similar reaction. I think I might consider a time to travel that she normally is sleepy. You might not need the anxiety meds then. She might sleep the entire time.
Try not to take too much as a carry on. Be sure to keep yourself hydrated and relaxed. Patience is the main thing to pack. It will all work out.
Have fun on your trip.
If she has a favorite sweater or blanket that gives her comfort bring it, it tends to be chilly on planes.
Get it pre arranged for wheelchairs at both ends and any stops.
Make sure you have all of her meds and give them on schedule. I would ask for something that calms her down and use it several times before you get on the plane, this will help you know how it works and how fast it works.
Make sure and have activities that you know distract her or engage her.
Wearing depends is a great idea, never know how stress is going to affect your tummy.
I would also be sure and get vitamin c and zinc in both of you starting a week before and at least a week after traveling, a good probiotic daily. The last thing you want is to get sick from the exposure to the airport.
I think having your daughter and SIL helping you is a great idea. Many hands make the task easier.
This is so exciting for you and her. Getting to be with your family is going to be such a blessing.
May God grant you easy travel and traveling mercies.
Your dad was right, growing old isn't for sissies, but it sure beats the alternative.
I think you have covered it all.
So nice that u can move closer to family. I pray it all goes smooth for you.