Helping a Parent Travel Overseas

Everything on the travel-prep checklist

All items from the interactive checklist above, grouped with their timing tags, in full.

Before you book

• Passport valid at least 6 months beyond the return date — Check today, before booking
• Visa sorted — see the 6-country visa guide — As soon as travel is planned
• “Fit to fly” checked with their doctor (heart, lung, mobility, recent surgery) — 4+ weeks before
• Flights chosen with easy transfers — avoid tight, far-gate connections — At time of booking
• Shortest sensible route or a direct flight where possible — At time of booking

Travel insurance (do not skip)

• Travel medical insurance bought that covers their age band — As soon as flights are booked
• ALL pre-existing conditions declared honestly (non-disclosure = denied claims) — When buying the policy
• Covers emergency medical evacuation / repatriation — When buying the policy
• Cover limit is high enough (US healthcare especially is very costly) — When buying the policy
• Policy number + 24h emergency assistance number saved in their phone and yours — 1 week before

Medicines & medical

• All medicines packed in the CABIN bag (never checked luggage) — Day of travel
• Enough for the whole trip plus a few days' buffer — Start gathering 1–2 weeks before
• Doctor's letter listing conditions and medicines (generic names) — 2–4 weeks before
• Medicines in original labelled packaging; copies of prescriptions — Day of travel
• Checked destination rules for any controlled/strong medicines — 3–4 weeks before
• An Emergency Card (conditions, allergies, blood group, contacts) in the cabin bag — Before leaving for the airport

Airport assistance (free — most people don't know)

• Wheelchair / special assistance requested when booking (free, pre-bookable) — At time of booking
• Assistance reconfirmed about 48 hours before flying — 48 hours before
• Arriving early; know the meet-and-assist point — Day of travel
• Priority boarding (usually included with assistance) — Day of travel
• Documents, medicines, valuables kept in the bag they hold — Day of travel

On the plane (long-haul)

• Aisle seat for easy movement and toilet access — At booking or check-in
• Move and stretch legs about hourly; stay well hydrated — During the flight
• Go easy on alcohol; compression socks if the doctor advises (clot risk) — During the flight
• Medicine timing planned for the time-zone change (ask the doctor) — Before departure
• Small comfort kit: water, light snacks if allowed, shawl, neck pillow — Packed before leaving home

On arrival

• First 48 hours kept gentle — jet lag hits older bodies harder — On arrival
• Nearest clinic/hospital known, and how the insurance works there — Before departure
• Australia, UK, Canada or NZ? See how the GP system works for visitors (askmygp.com.au) — Before departure
• Home contacts told they arrived safely — On arrival