Traveling With Parkinson’s Disease: How to Plan, Prepare, and Enjoy the Trip

The idea of traveling with Parkinson’s disease, especially more advanced forms, may seem daunting, but you don’t have to give up the joy of visiting family or exploring new places. “Travel is really important because it helps you connect with the things that matter to you,” says Sneha Mantri, MD, MS , chief medical officer of the Parkinson’s Foundation and practicing neurologist and movement disorder specialist at Duke Health in Durham, North Carolina. It’s all about setting realistic expectations about the type of travel you’re doing, and how active you can be at your destination, adds Adena Leder, DO , neurologist and Parkinson’s Center Director at New York Institute of Technology in New York City. With thoughtful planning, a flexible mindset, and support from your travel companions, you can continue to travel safely, comfortably, and confidently while living with Parkinson’s.
Your Pre-Travel Checklist: Mastering Parkinson’s Logistics Pre-Travel Checklist Whether you’re heading out for a weekend getaway or an international adventure, staying on track with your Parkinson’s disease treatment is the best way to keep symptoms steady and feel your best while traveling.. Start with these steps:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976298026570c-c76d-4138-bd30-d8e2e479ff34e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629c5288bec-b172-4e05-b784-e627c03475bae60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629354420e4-a132-42ce-9d3f-534f7cb4871c Meet with your neurologist. Schedule a checkup a few weeks before your trip to make sure your symptoms are well-managed and you have enough medication to take with you. Make a plan for medication timing. This is particularly important if you’re taking time-sensitive medications and crossing time zones, says Dr. Mantri. Your doctor can help you form an individualized plan to shift the timing of your medication doses as needed. Write it all down. Keep a list of all of the medications you take (both prescription and over-the-counter), the exact dosing instructions, and your doctor’s contact information. Store medications smartly. Pack them in your carry-on, not in checked luggage. “Keep medications in their original containers that have the instructions on them, but store them all in the same part of your bag,” says Mantri. This way, TSA agents can inspect them easily, if needed. Bring back-up supplies. Dr. Leder suggests packing enough medication for your stay, plus a few days extra, so you don’t run out if you have any unexpected travel delays. Speak up if you have a deep brain stimulator. If you’re flying, “tell the TSA agent, as they may ask you to walk through a different type of metal detector, similar to what they do for people who have pacemakers,” says Mantri.
Strategies for On-the-Go Dosing and Symptom Management Symptom Management On-the-Go When you’re navigating airports, restaurants, or museum tours, the right approach can help you stay on top of your treatment schedule and manage symptoms discreetly with fewer interruptions. Here’s how:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762959147d86-4373-4238-b43d-4feb8411dc9ee60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976291a8034c1-b34b-4a97-ad23-32eea12c98b5e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629f898577f-2a0b-48dc-b5ad-0b3bd1a31fd8 Use mobility aids. “Even if you’re not in a wheelchair, use one in the airport,” says Leder. Connect with TSA or call your airline in advance to make arrangements for assistance. “If you can’t keep up, or the medicine isn’t kicking in, or there’s a last-minute gate change or delay, this makes it much easier,” she says. Plus, it allows you to board the plane early.. Space out your itinerary. Be intentional about how much you are doing so the trip feels successful, rather than like you missed out because you over-scheduled yourself and got too tired, says Mantri. Build in rest breaks. Mantri suggests building rest time into your schedule and finding parks with benches or other places where you can take a break. Set alarms to keep on schedule with medication timing. Knowing you have a reminder set up can help you worry less about the timing of your next dose and focus more on enjoying your trip. Keep an extra dose of medication with you at all times. This is particularly helpful if you take carbidopa/levodopa to help you manage motor symptoms, says Mantri. That way, “if you feel yourself needing that extra little rescue, you’ve got something in your pocket or purse that you can take relatively quickly.” Carry a water bottle. This will help you take your medication quickly if you need it, but it’s also really easy to get dehydrated when you’re out and about, says Mantri, which can worsen your symptoms.
How to Talk About Parkinson’s Disease With Your Travel Companions Talking About Parkinson’s With Companions Talking openly with the people you’re traveling with can make a meaningful difference in how smoothly and comfortably your trip unfolds. While it may feel personal to bring up symptoms, medication needs, or potential challenges, sharing this information helps everyone stay prepared and supportive. How much you share can vary. “If you’re traveling with a spouse or close family member, you may feel very comfortable talking openly about your needs,” says Mantri.If you’re going on a group tour, Mantri suggests letting the tour company or guide know in advance that you may need to take breaks or step away from certain activities. They can help you understand the protocol ahead of time. These tips can help you feel comfortable and connected on the go: Set expectations up front. “Think about what you’ll want to do, be able to do, and feel ready to do,” says Mantri, and communicate that clearly with your travel companions. For example, if you know your energy dips in the afternoon, let them know you’d like to schedule a rest break to recharge each day. Ask for flexibility. “Let your travel companions know that things may change over the course of the day, as you might have more or less energy than you thought,” says Mantri, which means you may need to adjust your plans on the fly. Keep your phone charged. Make sure your travel buddy has their device charged, too. That way, if you get separated from each other, you’ll be able to reconnect easily.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629e8331acc-9f17-45a6-93d8-34ff94e71cd0
The Takeaway Setting realistic expectations, planning ahead, and keeping lines of communication open with your care team and travel companions can help you travel safely and successfully with Parkinson’s disease. Managing medications by making time zone adjustments, setting alarms for dosing, and packing smartly to keep meds accessible at all times is key for managing your condition on the go. Using mobility aids as needed, pacing your itinerary, and being honest with your travel partners can help support your changing needs throughout each day of your trip.