Washington D.C. getting around with 90 yr old
 

Dear Fodorites,
I've have used your suggestions many, many times, especially for our travel in Europe. But now I have a U.S. question.
DH and I have been to Washington D.C. many times. However, we're traveling by train from Boston with his 90-yr-old dad, a WWII veteran, to see the WWII Memorial. Dad cannot walk far without needing a rest (medication causes him to become light-headed and dizzy). He also has the use of only one eye, so getting onto/off a tour-mobile might be challenging. A wheelchair is out of the question (his pride) and we're concerned that he will need more that his cane. We've never seen any golf cars in use on the Mall, and have thought perhaps we should hire a personal car/driver for dropping us off here and there. What would you suggest?

We were in Washington a couple of months ago and needed a van to transport all 10 of us from our hotel in Arlington to the airport. We were very pleased with this car service that was recommended to us by our hotel manager: Agustin Limo Service, (703)357-2124. [email protected].

Although we've only used this service once, I won't hesitate to recommend the service to any of my family members and friends for any future trips to Washington.

Good luck!

When we were visiting Washington with our twin toddlers (in strollers) we hired an ordinary taxi. For a most reasonable fixed price, the guy drove us to all major attractions and was very helpful with the kids and strollers. It was really VIP service, because he drove us right to the entrance of attractions and picked us up there again (he either waited or came on an arranged time).

Traveller1959's arrangement was easy to make before DC taxis swithced last year from zones to meters for determining fares. It may still be possible, but if that won't work with the new meters, you can just hail cabs as usual and ask a driver you like to come back for you at a designated time. However, you should be able to hail a cab at the entrance to any of the major tourist attractions because they are always dropping off passengers and often linger a bit to pick up their next fare.
Your FIL may have more difficulty getting around the large memorial itself (just large area, not stairs) than getting to and from it.
Good luck with you trip.

I would run the idea of a wheelchair by him, you might be surprised. Just tell him that it's been suggested that you bring one, "just in case", because better safe than sorry should it be a lot more walking than he imagines. Just tell him you've been reading that it's exhausting (though you don't want to scare him too much.)

From experience, I would say that dealing with a 90 year old on a trip is probably going to be 100% more difficult than you anticipate. I hope not, though, and wish you the best.

www.cityscootertours.com
check that website out. they rent scooter chairs and wheelchairs.

You could always take him on the segway tour. just kidding. lol.

I agree with griswold. I don't see anything wrong with a 90 year old man being wheeled around. keep in mind that even if you had a car hire that you still might stand in lines a very long long time.

That's the Greatest Generation for you--me, I;d love to be wheeled around tourist attractions in a wheelchair, at 90 or right now. ;-)

I think hiring a car and driver sounds like the best plan. Most cab drivers in DC would do a great job, too, but what if you happen to hail a dud? With a car service, you can explain your needs in advance.

But be prepared, as kayd points out, for a bit of walking from the curb to and around the memorial itself--really, a wheelchair would be best, because how will he cope with simply standing up for unaccustomed periods of time? I hope you can talk him into one.

Good luck, and good for you for undertaking the trip for him!

One issue with much of Washington post-9/11 is that vehicles can not get nearly as close to buildings as they used to - so he will have to walk a greater distance than one might anticipate, even with transportation of some sort.

I would tell him that you are going to rent a wheelchair in case he needs a place to sit while waiting in line. Start out using it to haul coats, purses, bags and then offer it to him once at some point when you think he looks a little fatigued. I would not get anythiing electrified - if his vision will limit his getting on/off a TourMobile, imagine him driving an unfamiliar scooter or electric w/c thru crowds.

Another issue to think about that will be even more difficult is availability and accessibility of bathrooms. This is something that only your DH can discuss with his father - but it must be done unless you already know the answers. Public bathrooms are sometimes difficult to locate, sometimes involve stairs, and 90 year old men sometimes do not have the best bladder control. Sorry to bring this up - but better now than when on the trip. I would be on the look-out for bathrooms whenever possible, and have your DH develop some urgent need to use it and take his father with him.

I have no clue about my final thought - but as the remaining WWII veterans are all quite aged, perhaps there is some veterans resource to allow veterans to visit the WWII Memorial in relative comfort - a bus, partial day trip, etc - you might have to do some searching, but I would be surprised if such a thing did not exist.

Nice of you to do this - we wanted to take my FIL but his health prevented it.

Thank you all for these suggestions!

Take the wheelchair for YOURSELF. Ask him to push you, if he wont' ride, at least he'll have something supportive to lean on so he doesn't fall down!