At Care is There Geriatric Care Management we often help our clients prepare for airline travel. If your loved one has memory loss, mobility limitations, hearing loss, vision or hearing limitations or other concerns, travel can seem stressful or even out of the question. But with special attention, your loved one can travel successfully. Here are some tips:
- Special TSA Security Screening for Passengers 75 and older – Passengers 75 and older are not required to remove their shoes and light jacket at the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) checkpoint, and they are allowed an extra pass through Advanced Imaging Technology devices. More details are available on the TSA Website including the video at this link. Or call the TSA Cares hotline at 1-855-787-2227.
- “Please be Patient” Card – Various organizations produce small cards with messages such as “Please Be Patient….The person with me has Alzheimer’s Disease and may require a few extra moments.
- Special Assistance from Airlines – Airlines offer special assistance for people with disabilities or those who need to travel with medical equipment. Discuss your loved one’s needs when booking their ticket, and contact your airline several days in advance of travel to arrange for special services. See these pages for instructions from major airlines:
- Gate Passes Allow You to Escort Your Loved One – If you are not traveling with your loved one and need to accompany them through the security checkpoint to the gate, obtain a gate pass from your airline ticket counter when you check them in and present it to the TSA security officer. Allow extra time for this process since ticket agents and TSA officers may not be familiar with the process and the gate pass may trigger secondary security checks for you and your loved one. If you are using a gate pass, remember not to bring to the airport any items such as liquids, pocket knives, etc. which will complicate your own security screening.
- Medications – Don’t put medications in checked luggage, in case that luggage gets lost. TSA allows medications in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces to be carried on the plane, and the medications don’t have to be in the zip-top bag. Declare these items for inspection at the checkpoint, as TSA officers may need to open them for additional screening.Be aware of all the TSA regulations for carrying medication on the plane.
- Reduce Confusion by Checking Luggage through to the final destination – if your loved one is traveling on a small plane, roll-aboard bags will have to be gate-checked and retrieved plane-side. This may confuse your loved one and lead to lost luggage. Consider checking bags all the way through to the destination, and pay for baggage charges when you book your ticket to avoid extra steps and decisions during check-in.
- Senior Citizen Discounts – some airlines offer discounts for senior citizens. See more information here.
- Professional Accompaniment – At Care is There Geriatric Care Management, we travel with our clients at their request. You can find a geriatric care manager in your area by visiting the website of the Aging Life Care Association.Some specialty providers may also provide staff people to travel with your loved one.
- Medical Transport Services – if your loved one is seriously ill, consider a medical transport company specializing in this type of service such as Air Critical Care.
For more articles like this, see: Assistive Technology, Care for the Caregiver, Communicating with Senior Citizens, Hearing Loss, Managing Medications, Memory Loss.
Know someone who worries about their elderly parent in Charlottesville, Staunton, or Harrisonburg Virginia? Care is There Geriatric Care Management can help! Have them contact us for a free consultation: 434.326.5323 or info@careisthere.com.
For more information about our services, and to read testimonials from our clients, visit our website. Also, view this short video about our care management services.
Elizabeth Swider, Geriatric Care Manager, Certified Senior Advisor
President, Care is There Geriatric Care Management
Support for independent living and long distance caregiving; assisted living enhancement
Related
FAQs
What Services Do Seniors Need Most?
- Personal Care. One of the most in-demand services for seniors is personal care. ...
- Medication Management. ...
- Nutrition and Meal Support. ...
- Mobility and Transportation. ...
- Healthcare. ...
- Money Management. ...
- Safety and Security. ...
- Social Interaction Opportunities.
Do airlines reserve any specific seats for passengers who are senior citizens? Not Really. But one can always request for a specific seat for an elderly person or person with certain disabilities/difficulties. You can request it at the time of checking in at the counter.
Are there any special TSA rules for seniors? ›
Passengers 75 and older can receive some form of expedited screening through risk-based intelligence-driven security that allows TSA to better focus resources on passengers who more likely pose a risk. You may leave on your shoes however; removal of light jackets is required for Advanced Imaging Technology screening.
Do senior citizens automatically get TSA PreCheck? ›
Do seniors automatically get PreCheck? No. Anyone who wants to receive PreCheck needs to apply. However, TSA does provide people who are 75 years old or older access to an expedited screening process in the regular screening lines: You can keep your light jacket and shoes on.
At what age do most seniors need care? ›
Someone turning age 65 today has almost a 70% chance of needing some type of long-term care services and supports in their remaining years. Women need care longer (3.7 years) than men (2.2 years) One-third of today's 65 year-olds may never need long-term care support, but 20 percent will need it for longer than 5 years.
What do seniors need the most? ›
Eight Needs of the Elderly
- Family Support.
- Home Safety.
- Medical Needs.
- Cognitive Health.
- Mobility.
- Personal Hygiene.
- Meal Preparation.
- Social Interaction.
Priority boarding for unaccompanied seniors provides them with early access to the aircraft, ensuring a more relaxed and less crowded boarding process. This allows them to find suitable seating, put away their belongings conveniently and receive any necessary assistance from airline staff before other passengers board.
What is a TSA care card? ›
If you need assistance during screening, you or your traveling companion may talk to the TSA officer about the best way to complete the screening process. You may inform the TSA officer of your disability or medical condition verbally, by using the TSA Notification Card or by providing medical documentation.
What is the TSA 62 rule? ›
Checked bags must be no longer than 62 linear inches (length + width + depth) and must weigh under 40 pounds.
Can my elderly mother go through TSA PreCheck with me? ›
With TSA Precheck, senior citizens and other participants move through the security checkpoint much faster. The wait is usually five minutes or less, which is a huge time-saver for travel with elderly parents. Participants don't have to remove their shoes, light jackets, laptops, liquids or belts.
Eligible TSA PreCheck® travelers include: U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents enrolled in TSA PreCheck®. Members of Global Entry. U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents who are members of SENTRI.
What disqualifies you from getting TSA approved? ›
If you commit certain violations of federal security regulations, such as assault, threat, intimidation, or interference with flight crew, physical or sexual assault or threat of physical or sexual assault of any individual on an aircraft, interference with security operations, access control violations, providing ...
What kind of support is most necessary for the caregiver? ›
Provide emotional and social support. Negotiate times to check in on them. Make sure they are managing their own health care needs. Help them create and manage a care plan for the person they care for.
What kind of help does an elderly person need? ›
Types of Care
Personal care: They might need help with bathing, dressing, grooming, and other personal care. This could include helping them get to the bathroom and cleaning themselves after. For aging parents, it's a role reversal because they're used to taking care of their kids.
What are the types of social support for the elderly? ›
The different types of social support that older adults experience include initiating engagement, sustaining engagement, recognizing successful engagement, and providing comfort and reassurance.
Who would be a good source of support for older adults? ›
Family, friends, and neighbors are the biggest source of help for many older people. They may be able to drive you to doctor's appointments, help with errands and chores, or just keep you company. Talk with those close to you about the best way to get what you need.
