How to help Mom with mobility concerns?

[tigervixxxen]

My mother and I are currently booked for the Carnival Dream out of Galveston next spring but she is on the verge of cancelling due to mobility concerns. There’s really nothing medically wrong with her, just mostly lost strength and stamina and she doesn’t think she can travel until she feels how she did 10 years ago, our last cruise together was about 5 years ago. She lives alone independently, goes on walks daily, shopping, drives to the grocery store and on errands a few times a week. I think she would be fine on the ship and I will be in her cabin for any luggage concerns or moving anything heavy, unexpected etc. 

 

My question is what can the ship provide either arranged ahead of time or perhaps in the moment if she feels fatigued? Day to day on the ship is probably fine like I said but the travel/embarkation is probably the biggest concern for my mom. What has your experience been? Anything I can tell her to ease fears and prevent the cancellation? How about at the airport, United in particular? I figure a wheelchair can be arranged through the airline. She doesn’t need a wheelchair but to get through the airport or embarkation mitigating fatigue I figure is the solution but I also don’t know so I’m asking for any help, advice, tips, strategies to pass along to save this vacation. My mom basically lives to travel and loves cruising so I’d hate for her to give it up but we don’t have a lot of answers right now. 

[Drazil65]

The airport stuff sounds like a definite for your mother and you might want to go to the website for the carrier you are using.  Look up the info for the special needs/assistance department for your questions and to make arrangements with them.    

 

For the ship check with the special needs/assistance area and also maybe look into renting a scooter onboard.  There have been many posts regarding same and you could search for those questions and answers pretty quickly on this forum as there may be good ideas and info that would help.   

Edited August 18, 2023 by Drazil65

[BecT]

Several years ago I traveled with my SIL who requires oxygen and can't walk far. We got her a wheelchair and Carnival had personnel available to push her during Embarkation. She cannot use the convenient portable oxygen units so she had to carry around one with limited battery life bit could be plugged in. She also brought aboard a large at home heavy Oxygen  machine.  Carnival personnel took care of getting all of that on board and assisted us with locating places to plug in her machine while out on the various decks to include the pool area, casino, theater, and dining room.  Overall she really enjoyed herself and they made her feel very welcome. 

My husband now uses a wheelchair in lieu of walking long distances. Carnival has personnel to push him on board which is helpful to me because it can get a little tough when going up here. This year he has an electric wheelchair so it's much easier on me. 

 

If fatigue is your main concern I would at the very least rent a wheelchair so she is more comfortable with boarding and debarking.  With my experience Carnival has always been accommodating to those who need assistance. You may want to contact their special needs department and even request a table in the dining room close to the entrance to prevent extra walking. 

 

 

[DanvilleCruiser]

My mom uses a wheelchair when on a cruise ship or anytime that would involve long walks and it works out really well.  She is 92, and walking longer distances wears her out.  So the wheelchair works really well for her.  We inherited the wheelchair from a relative who had used it after an automobile accident and didn’t need it anymore.

On the websites for airlines, you can request a wheelchair assist.  We have found it invaluable to have someone help us through security and onto the plane.  Most airlines have loaner chairs available for use at the airports.

 

Edited August 18, 2023 by DanvilleCruiser

[Happygirl58]

Call your cruise agent r carnival,  u can rent a scooter they will prob have it in your room available when u get onboard.

[Colorado Beach Bum]

We have done the following as MIL fatigue continues worsen…

 

Always use wheelchair service through the airlines.  They are available as you get dropped off curbside and take you all the way to the gate.  Upon landing, they will meet you at jetway and take you all the way to baggage claim. 
 

Started taking walker on cruise that has a built in chair. When fatigued she’d have a place to sit. Easy to take on and off ship. 
 

As fatigue worsened, began renting a scooter for the cruise.  You pick up in the terminal and keep it all week. Makes embarkation and debarkation much easier. And then use on ship as needed.  
 

The above has kept her cruising for many years. Now we can’t keep her off 😀

[MogeyMan]

Hire a car & driver to pick you up @ airport, ask for "meet @ greet " at the luggage carousel. It will cost a bit more, but don't wait in the cab queue when she's tired from the flight. Get a cab or Uber to the dock, Don 't jam Mom in shuttle, they're hard to get in & out of. Take her in style !!

[ninjacat123]

My 85 year old mom is in the same situation.  Needs a wheelchair at the airport and both embarkation and debarkation.  Remember to bring tip money (Mom usually tips $5 to each pusher) and she loves the interaction with each pusher.  On board, I ask for a table in MDR that is close to the front door.  Through out the ship, my mom needs to hold my arm and if we go off ship we take little breaks sitting on benches till we get to our destination, like a cab.  I go and set up chairs at Serenity then go get Mom.  So far, Mom doesn't really want to use a walker (I bought her one) but it might happen someday.

Good for you getting out with your mom.  I know we really value our time together and cruises are a terrific way to vacation together.

[firefly333]

Our friend used one of those walkers that gives you support to walk and has a seat you can sit on anytime you feel fatigued. 

 

We choose cabins near elevators when I cruise with my sister.

[hurricane0226]

Bought my wife one of those combination walker, and forward facing wheelchair from CVS. 

So she can use it as a walker, or I can pusher like a wheel Chair when she is going up

on the ship.

[trvlgirlmq]

My mom uses an upright walker with a built in seat. We also try to get a room near the elevators. We just move at her pace and stop when she needs to rest.

[tigervixxxen]

Thank you for the replies, I’m just trying to come up with solutions I can present to her that I hadn’t already thought of. I know when it comes down to it that it’s about will more than anything. My mom is 73 and not ready for the walker or scooter, she can get around in every day life without one, same thing with a wheelchair but I think it’s about her only option to save her energy. I’ll try to keep talking to her and try to instill some confidence these solutions could work. 

[Elaine5715]

3 minutes ago, tigervixxxen said:

Thank you for the replies, I’m just trying to come up with solutions I can present to her that I hadn’t already thought of. I know when it comes down to it that it’s about will more than anything. My mom is 73 and not ready for the walker or scooter, she can get around in every day life without one, same thing with a wheelchair but I think it’s about her only option to save her energy. I’ll try to keep talking to her and try to instill some confidence these solutions could work. 

You will want to plan ahead.  It is unlikely the ship will loan a wheelchair for use once onboard.  They use their for injuries or medical emergencies.   

[BlerkOne]

Carnival has a special needs department you can contact

https://www.carnival.com/about-carnival/special-needs

 

 

 

[cooncat_mom]

I’ve cruised when my mobility wasn’t good - arthritis deteriorated my hips and I finally had hip replacement surgery.  There is a line in the terminal for mobility challenged people and they have a priority boarding.  A walker with a seat is great. There are many different kinds - I had a traditional one and then was able to get a walker made by Stander which was lighter and easier for me to carry (I used a tent carry bag). I also still bring a cane since the arthritis has moved into my knee.  You might want to stop by the Traveling with Disabilities board under Special Interest Cruising for more hints. It helped me a quite a bit and it might make your mom more comfortable knowing there’s a bunch of us with issues who travel.  And have a great time!

Edited August 19, 2023 by cooncat_mom
I can’t type 😳

[Susan in Maine]

I'm in a similar situation. My daughter and I are taking her 88YO grandmother on a cruise in November. She is generally quite mobile, lives alone, and is just fine.
My TA booked a wheelchair for embarkation/debarkation. As we all know, there is a bit of a stampede for both. With her in a wheelchair it will be much less anxiety provoking for all of us. 
She won't need any help on board. Also I booked a cabin on the Lido deck so we're close to all the action without having to use an elevator.

[Roe95695]

thank you for the post and for all the great answers.  My DH has some mobility issues and distance can be a problem for him, we always use wheelchair at the airport and love the service.  I was going to reach out to Carnival regarding assistance with embarkation/debarkation.  Now I have the information needed.  Thanks again all!!!

[casaloma]

Everyone has given you great advice.  I just wanted to say that managing daily life with little problem and coping with the stresses and the WALKING of a big vacation are two different things.  I have trouble with walking more than a block or so but I was soldiering on (probably out of pride more than anything else) but about two years ago I thought WAIT A MINUTE.  I wasn't enjoying our vacations because I was constantly looking for the next place to sit down, checking to be sure I had my inhaler, catching my breath etc. etc. etc.  It was like a lightbulb went off in my head.  THIS IS A VACATION.  So we bought a mobility scooter and haven't looked back.  Took it to Vegas.  Took it to Disneyland.  Took it on a cruise to Alaska.  It worked like a charm.  I'm taking it to Europe in the fall.  I have to make accommodations, absolutely, but I feel comfortable, happy, and I'm enjoying myself.  I've also rented scooters and that is amazingly simple as well.  I'm about your mom's age and I know it's tough to admit that you need some assistance, but I've enjoyed my vacations so much more since the purchase.  

[Purvis1231]

On 8/18/2023 at 2:15 PM, tigervixxxen said:

My mother and I are currently booked for the Carnival Dream out of Galveston next spring but she is on the verge of cancelling due to mobility concerns. There’s really nothing medically wrong with her, just mostly lost strength and stamina and she doesn’t think she can travel until she feels how she did 10 years ago, our last cruise together was about 5 years ago. She lives alone independently, goes on walks daily, shopping, drives to the grocery store and on errands a few times a week. I think she would be fine on the ship and I will be in her cabin for any luggage concerns or moving anything heavy, unexpected etc. 

 

My question is what can the ship provide either arranged ahead of time or perhaps in the moment if she feels fatigued? Day to day on the ship is probably fine like I said but the travel/embarkation is probably the biggest concern for my mom. What has your experience been? Anything I can tell her to ease fears and prevent the cancellation? How about at the airport, United in particular? I figure a wheelchair can be arranged through the airline. She doesn’t need a wheelchair but to get through the airport or embarkation mitigating fatigue I figure is the solution but I also don’t know so I’m asking for any help, advice, tips, strategies to pass along to save this vacation. My mom basically lives to travel and loves cruising so I’d hate for her to give it up but we don’t have a lot of answers right now. 

One solution is to buy or rent a mobility scooter. Dozens of people will have them on the ship. (please make sure her doctor has cleared her and make sure there are no undected medical concerns.) 

[lostsoulcruiser]

On 8/18/2023 at 2:15 PM, tigervixxxen said:

My question is what can the ship provide either arranged ahead of time or perhaps in the moment if she feels fatigued? Day to day on the ship is probably fine like I said but the travel/embarkation is probably the biggest concern for my mom. What has your experience been? Anything I can tell her to ease fears and prevent the cancellation?

Carnival, and the port of Galveston, have people to assist passengers during embarkation and debarkation.  Call ahead and they will help you.  I have needed that assistance for my wife on previous cruises. For embarkation, there is a gathering area in the port where someone can come with a wheelchair and take your mom onto the ship (the lobby area, not your room).  During the debarkation talk, you will be informed as to where to gather when leaving the ship if you need assistance. Carnival will pick you up at a specific spot on the ship and take you to the luggage area.

 

Your problem may be on the ship and the layout of the Dream.  Depending on where your cabin is located and where you are going on the ship, it most likely is not a straight line.  This was a problem for my wife.

One final thought, some posters are discussing renting wheelchairs and scooters.  I have seen the scooters but have no experience with them.  Wheelchairs are nice but may be problematic since depending on the size of the chair, it may not fit through the cabin doorway nor fit into the bathroom due to the half step up.  A transport chair may be a better option, they tend to be narrower.  

Good luck