Travel and driving

• Plan your journey so that you have plenty of stops to stretch and go to the toilet
• Check what facilities are available where you will be staying and book appropriately, e.g. if stairs are a problem, ensure there a lift available or choose a ground floor room
• Before arrival, identify where the nearest hospital and pharmacy are to where you are staying
• Ensure that you have plenty of medication, and include some in your hand luggage
• Take spare prescriptions, any health insurance policy numbers, and a list of emergency contact numbers
• Pre-book any assistance you may need, for example reserve a wheelchair at the airports to avoid long walks or waiting in queues
• Try to learn the phrase ‘I have Parkinson’s disease’ in the language of the country you are visiting
• If travelling between time zones, plan in advance how you will adapt your medication
• If you are a driver, notify your national driver and vehicle licensing body that you have Parkinson’s and they will advise you on how you can retain your driving licence. Also alert them to any subsequent changes in your driving ability
• Inform your insurance company of health changes that might affect your driving
• If possible, buy a car which had been designed/adapted to suit people with disabilities, for example with more space for manoeuvring yourself in and out
• Power steering, automatic transmission and other automatic functions, such as electric windows, will make driving simpler
• Sitting on a sheet of plastic will make it easier to get in and out of your car seat
• See sections on travel and driving for more helpful hints.