Any information or experience out there with flying elders?

my mother and aunt flew from indiana to phoenix at the ages of 76 and 85 . they fared pretty well but it made my youngest son and i extremely drunk . the jet was refueled by a bacardi tanker somewhere over arkansas .

It's not just the altitude but the immobility for long periods of time in a fixed position. Questions I would ask myself is how long is the flight? Is your mother able to get up out of her seat and stretch her legs by walking in the aisle? Has your mother ever had blood clots before? Does your mother have circulation problems in her legs now? You don't have to be elderly to have this problem flying. There have been people in their 30's that have developed blood clots in their legs during long flights, and I don't mean to scare you, but have died from this.I would definitely consult your mother's MD prior to flying,would have to take into consideration your mother's current physical health.It's great to be tough in spirit but that doesn' prevent blood clots.

Definitely ask the MD about permission to fly. Definitely carry the meds on board and not in baggage. You may go to Florida and the suitcase ends up in Hawaii. Ask the MD for a brief summary of her medical history in case you have to go to the ER. Also check the health insurance for coverage in the distant location, most plans stop when you are out of the area.

Actually, those blood clots can happen to anyone at any age. TV news star Tim Russert ["Meet the Press"] was only 58 when he died from complications due to a blood clot after returning from a long flight.

Another thing to watch out for is dehydration, which can also increase the risk of a blood clot. People flying tend not to drink a lot of liquid because of cabin pressure. Plus who wants to climb over the passenger next to you for a restroom run.

A lot also depends on when was the last time the elder had flown? If it has been more than 13 years ago, a lot has changed inside the airport with security and all. I know my Mom wouldn't be able to deal with security looking in her purse, or her overnight case, and heaven forbid if they needed to pat her down if she triggers the metal detector.... Dad proudly said that Mom probably would yell at the Federal Officers.... to which I responded that if Mom did that she wouldn't be flying with us. Then there is the issue of the long walk between the front building out to the terminal, then out to the gate... Mom wouldn't want to ride in a wheelchair, heaven forbid someone she knows might see her :P

all good input, thanks.
Well what I meant is she has never had much any ailment of the elderly but arthritis and dementia (no heart, copd, diabetes, etc) In her dementia she is not agitated at all, EVER and loves getting out n doing thing with me, long as I am with her we are a team! she Is wheelchair bound for last 2 ys so ok with sitting long time and will order airport assistance of course (am travel agent). I do believe she has poor circulation in the legs however! I wonder if the "dodadds" they put on my dad in hospital for circulation could help...hmm...will definitely get ahold of MD Monday!

also flight is approx. 5 hours!

I remember those 5 hour flights from Washington DC to Dallas, Texas.... then after 09/11, I had to tack on an extra 2 hours within the airport for security... no more running into the airport, waving my ticket, getting on the bus shuttle to the terminal and getting into my plane seat. Then hoping my plane would show up on time, usually was late... and then keeping my fingers crossed no thunder storms at DFW as everything comes to a grinding halt there, I remember sitting on the tarmac for almost an hour because there wasn't a gate available because no flights were leaving. At least back then you had some leg room :)

oh my that's right, I haven't flown since 2000, things are a lot different...I used to fly all the time, was a like the above, I would purposely get late as I hated waiting in airports ?? Just rush in and jump on last minute.

Ha, Captain!
I've been trying to figure out how to do this, as the last time we flew, a couple of years ago, was bad enough, and since she is in worse condition. I'm thinking we may have to pay for 1st class and request seat right next to bathroom. It's really hard that they won't let people get out of their seat sometimes for hours. My mother just could not handle that last time. I'm thinking tranquilizers might not be a bad idea, but then fear inability to balance/walk. Just a tiny dose perhaps.