Elderly & medical issues - thought triggered by grandeur fire

[Valley Girl of VA]

Joining this conversation a little late, but it is not the cruise I would be concerned about for those that may need extra help - it is what if things go wrong. For the elderly (and I'm not talking 70-85 year olds) would they get confused because "things" are going on around them like possible evacuation, change of plans and flying home instead of cruising? Could they negotiate the changes if they didn't have someone looking out for them. I know that my mother wouldn't be able to - she'd get too jittery and nervous with all the changes and unsure of what she should do. My father-in-law would be fine but still a little nagging doubt.

 

God discussion everyone!

[gerif]

:eek: 3 per cruise??

 

Hal tends to have an older clientele don't they? Do all ships have a morgue?

 

Yes, they do - actually, on a Celebrity cruise we were on there were also three deaths - one just as we were waiting in a lounge to disembark. There was a call that went out for a doctor on the smoking side of the lounge. One of our tablemates was an EMS so went over to see if she could be of some aid, but came back and told us the person had already passed. Shortly, a stretcher was brought and the person was taken out.

 

We were on one cruise and there was a VERY elderly man traveling with an male attendant. He was in a wheelchair and so frail he couldn't even feed himself but he was still cruising. I don't know if there was any family traveling with him but the few times we saw him, it was just him and the attendant.

[cruzincurt]

I wonder if some unconsciously have a problem with Mom or Dad out spending their inheritance.When my Dad was 88, he still took his walker and went on bus trips to a casino. Someone had to go with him to help him get around. But he was most happy sitting in front of a slot machine.

 

No point sitting at home waiting for the reaper.

[piper28]

:eek: 3 per cruise??

 

Hal tends to have an older clientele don't they? Do all ships have a morgue?

 

I think that number is pretty common across all cruise lines (and that's the typical number for a 7 day cruise). Lots of people eating far more food than they're used to, doing far more activity than they're used to, it's just natural that some of them don't make it. I'd guess that the Oasis class ships probably lose more than that per week.

 

I wouldn't cruise if I couldn't take care of myself, but I'd also rather be dead before I got to the point I couldn't anyways :). Up to that it's a judgement call that I hopefully won't have to worry about real soon.

[Baggywrinkle99]

If people (any age) have serious, ongoing medical problems they have to be realistic about the level of medical care they will receive on board. A ship's doctor can only do so much with comparatively limited resources and certainly doesn't have access to the state of the art facilities and specialist expertise available at a land-based hospital. If that is what someone needs access to in order to remain well managed or even alive then maybe cruising isnt the best choice of vacation no matter how much we love it. Relying on helicopter evac or the ship making a detour to the nearest port isn't fair or reasonable either IMO unless you've had an accident or some other unexpected emergency.

 

I fully agree with, and follow the "Carpe diem" approach to life but sometimes we have to confront and accept limitations of our ailing bodies!

[fragilek]

Our family have complex medical conditions (myself and dd 20yrs). We carefuly plan ahead. My dd needs meds to be kept cool - so we have a frio which can keep her meds cool even with no power. We also have all stuff with us that can treat her if she took ill. We check where we are going has up to date medical facilities and would not choose a cruise with more than one sea day. In her case, even at home, we would try for at least 24hrs to treat her before we would seek help - So far we have managed to stabilize her within the docs advised timeframe of -48hrs before ER.

 

For me, well in truth, there is no treatment anyway. In fact being state side they have options to try and treat me (mayo hospital) that I do not have in the UK - However, there is no proof they make any difference, sort of at least we are trying something type of treatment.

 

Now for us we have been living with my DD condition for 13 yrs and when she was first diagnosed we were due to go to disney FL for our first long haul trip in less than 6 weeks. I wanted to cancel and thought there was no way we could manage esp the flight what if she went unconscious during it!. A very calm doctor persuaded us to go saying- Life is for living, she has to live with this for the rest of her life. Do not take that life away from her!

 

My dd has now flown long haul without us (with same age younger cousin for their joint 18th present from there camayn uncle) to stay with him in Cayman. She also now goes surfing trips with her friends. Am I nervous yes you bet I am but she is sensible and her friends are now trained about what to do. She takes many extra precautions - including being the only surfer wearing a life jacket, she also has a arm flair and club have now bought a jet ski so that they can get to anyone quick (Her condition made them think about what they should have, not just for my dd but for the safety of all).

 

We have also gone on an Artic sarfari - most amazing thing we have ever done- again it took lots of planing and an adapted route to ensure we kept near to help, We even had someone on the trip before us checkout mobile phone reception.

 

As for me well- until 4 yrs ago I was a very very fit 40 yr old, I took ill over night and woke up paralyzed. Now that could happen to any one without any warning . So should even fit and healthy people not cruise just in case. In some ways you could argue that those already ill are in a better place re a cruise- they will know/have what they need with them, have choosen the cruise to suit their needs (wrt sea days port etc).

 

Why do I still cruise- well after I waking up paralysed I was was admitted to my local hospital where initial mri scans indicated a 2 spinal cord tumors one low and one at brain stem- I knew that there was no hope due to the brain stem one. Further tests at the leading neuro hospital in the UK gave a very surprising result, it was not tumors and although the damage to the cord esp low down was life changing - I still had a life! - I couldn't stop smiling - baffled the doctors who for the 1st year after I was diagnosed kept waiting for some sort of depression to start - NO way I was given my life back and I was determined to use it! Cruises & dreamed of places here I come!!

[jimdalva]

I think its an individual choice. Your dad made the decision he made, my 93 year old grandmother has decided she'd just as soon die on a cruise as anywhere else. She told someone "I'd rather go doing something I enjoy, then never do anything for fear of dying".

 

To each his own I guess.

I agree with this post. It says it all!

[zekekelso]

I think Jimmy Buffet said it best... Many people would rather die while living than live while they're dead.