Careful planning can make travel away from home easier. Try the following suggestions to minimize problems and enhance the quality of your time away.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Never leave the house without a day\u2019s supply of medication
\n\u2022 Keep a few extra tablets in a labeled container in the glove compartment of the car.
\n\u2022 Use a small shoulder bag or fanny pack and keep it stocked at all times with crackers or cookies and a mini-juice carton so you can take your medication. Take this bag with you even if you think you may be out for only a short time.
\n\u2022 Carry a card in your wallet listing the medications you are taking.
\n\u2022 If you are driving, plan frequent stops for exercise and rest.<\/p>\n
<strong>When traveling by plane<\/strong><\/p>\n
\u2022 Take advantage of early boarding privileges.
\n\u2022 Check in early and request an aisle seat close to the washrooms if mobility is a problem.
\n\u2022 Even if you don\u2019t normally require assistance to walk, you may want to consider using a wheelchair or an electric cart in the airport. It may be easier for your escort to push you rather than carry hand luggage and help you to walk at the same time.
\n\u2022 During flights where a time change is involved, take medications, as needed, keeping to the same number of hours between doses.
\n\u2022 If necessary, adjust medications to ensure mobility at the beginning and end of the flight.
\n\u2022 Take all your medication for your entire trip in your hand baggage. Checked baggage lost enroute or flight delays may leave you without enough medication.
\n\u2022 Wear comfortable clothing and shoes.
\n\u2022 Use a small soft neck pillow to increase your comfort on a long trip.
\n\u2022 Try to rest both the day before you leave and the day after you arrive.
\n\u2022 Drink extra fluids the day before and after you travel. This will allow you to drink less on the travel day and reduce visits to the washroom.
\n\u2022 When travelling for extended periods of time ask your physician if he\/she can recommend a neurologist in the place you are visiting, in case you need to see a doctor quickly.
\n\u2022 When travelling out of the country, make sure you have enough medical insurance coverage.<\/p>\n
*An excerpt taken from <em>A Manual for People Living with Parkinson\u2019s Disease, Parkinson Society Canada, 2003<\/em>. To request a copy (free of charge), contact <a href=\u00a0\u00bbmailto:general.info@parkinson.ca\u00a0\u00bb>general.info@parkinson.ca<\/a>.<\/p>\n
<strong>This site also offers useful information and travel tips:<\/strong><\/p>\n
<a href=\u00a0\u00bbhttp:\/\/www.cta-otc.gc.ca\/themes.php?aid=2\u2329=eng\u00a0\u00bb target=\u00a0\u00bb_blank\u00a0\u00bb>\u2022 Persons with Disabilities \u2013 Canadian Transportation Agency<\/a><\/p>\n
<a href=\u00a0\u00bbhttp:\/\/www.viarail.ca\/planificateur\/en_plan_beso_acco.html\u00a0\u00bb target=\u00a0\u00bb_blank\u00a0\u00bb><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"