Travel tips

Listed below is a selection of general travel tips that may be helpful for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

  • Plan routes and stopovers – allowing time for extra tiredness and regular stops to stretch aching muscles or go to the toilet.
  • Find out as much as you can about the facilities available at your destination before you set off, e.g., will stairs be a problem?
  • LuggageAsk your doctor to provide a letter describing your condition and the medications that you take – in case treatment is needed at your destination. Taking along the prescribing information from each pack of medication, together with a note of the dosage can also be helpful to a treating doctor. In some instances, it is worthwhile to have this letter translated into the language spoken in the country to which you are travelling.
  • When you pack your medication, be sure to pack more than you need in more than one bag – just in case your stay is longer than expected or you get separated from some part of your luggage. It is also a good idea to take along your prescription, and to ask your carer/partner to carry a duplicate pack of medication.
  • Before you depart, ask your doctor to find out the name and address of a GP and/or hospital at your destination – in case of emergencies.
  • Keep your medication in its original labelled container, so that it can be easily identified.
  • StickerPeople with mild PD are usually allowed to continue driving – although you should notify the licensing authority and your insurance company (not doing so could render your insurance null and void in the event of an accident). If the service is available in your country, ask your doctor/nurse to help arrange a disabled car sticker so that you can park closer to amenities, and reduce the amount of walking needed. Note that these stickers can go out of date, so remember to check and renew!
  • PD organisations are experienced in offering advice for people with PD who want to travel. Links to contact details of organisations in individual countries are given in the ‘Organisations’ section.
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