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Original poster

Adventurous activity for an immobile 80 year old?

77 replies

AmicableHonest · 10/09/2023 16:25

My mum will be 80 next year and would like to do something adventurous - she mentioned a microlight flight in passing. She has limited mobility - can't walk far and uses a walker, she can manage steps but needs a handrail. I'd really like to arrange something that ticks the 'adventurous' box for her but I don't know what given her physical limitations. Any suggestions? Her heart's fine by the way!

OP posts:
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caerdydd12 · 10/09/2023 16:26

Hot air balloon? Particularly if her walker is on that has one of those little fold out bits to sit on.

Baldieheid · 10/09/2023 16:40

Would a glider flight do the trick if she could manage the climb in?

A tandem sky dive, or even just a helicopter flight?

If she's okay staying on the ground, what about a racing car experience, as a passenger?
https://www.trackdays.co.uk/driving-experience/passenger-rides/

Some of them have an upper age limit.

exclusion · 10/09/2023 16:41

caerdydd12 · 10/09/2023 16:26

Hot air balloon? Particularly if her walker is on that has one of those little fold out bits to sit on.

How would she get into the basket?

PuttingDownRoots · 10/09/2023 16:42

I went gliding recently... the climbing in and out would be tricky with limited mobility, especially the climbing out.

TeenDivided · 10/09/2023 16:42

Perhaps think laterally. How about an Escape Room?

caerdydd12 · 10/09/2023 16:42

exclusion · 10/09/2023 16:41

How would she get into the basket?

Show quote history

Many now have doors that unclip to let you on

PuttingDownRoots · 10/09/2023 16:44

Canoeing (Canadian rather than kayak).

Original poster
AmicableHonest · 10/09/2023 16:48

Thanks for the suggestions. Canoeing definitely not an option - she can't get down or back up from the floor. Anything that would involve stepping over something is also a no go - she can't get in or out of a bath easily any more.

Hot air balloon is a possibility, but are they always early starts? She's no good at getting up early. Sorry, sounds like I'm being really picky but it's difficult to think of something she's capable of.

I do wonder whether she'd be able to get in a helicopter, anyone know how difficult they are?

OP posts:
Stripeypyjamas · 10/09/2023 16:49

Theme park? Some slower rides have wheelchair carts.

Virtual reality headset?

Whyohwhyohwhy123 · 10/09/2023 16:50

Vintage air craft flight

caerdydd12 · 10/09/2023 16:52

AmicableHonest · 10/09/2023 16:48

Thanks for the suggestions. Canoeing definitely not an option - she can't get down or back up from the floor. Anything that would involve stepping over something is also a no go - she can't get in or out of a bath easily any more.

Hot air balloon is a possibility, but are they always early starts? She's no good at getting up early. Sorry, sounds like I'm being really picky but it's difficult to think of something she's capable of.

I do wonder whether she'd be able to get in a helicopter, anyone know how difficult they are?

For a helicopter you'd have to hoist yourself up a bit to get in, almost like a very big step, so that's entirely dependent on her mobility I'd suppose.

Hot air balloon flights tend to be early morning or early evening, because the air is the most still. So you might find evening is an option. Check they're accessible though, with a door, most are nowadays but older balloon baskets may not be.

ClaraThePigeon · 10/09/2023 16:52

I think I'd contact an activity centre/company that specialises in offering adventures for people with disabilities and discuss her needs and what they can offer, with them.

Floralnomad · 10/09/2023 16:55

Zip wire or abseiling

TeenDivided · 10/09/2023 16:55

I would still be worried about hot air balloon as landings can be very bumpy.

Fleurbombeury · 10/09/2023 16:56

Skiing. I wonder if a snow dome would have adaptive equipment. They have like chairs you sit in and someone controls it and skis with you. So you get the fun. Contact disability snowsport uk as their the people that have all the people and equipment.

PuttingDownRoots · 10/09/2023 16:57

Canadian canoes are more like rowing boats rather than getting off the floor... you sit on a seat.

AdaColeman · 10/09/2023 17:00

A trip around a racetrack would be fun, but you do need to be quite agile to climb in and out of racing/sports cars. Maybe consider what type of car she could manage to get into, eg she might not be able to get into a Land Rover for an off road experience drive.

AdaColeman · 10/09/2023 17:07

Have you got a nearby airport that offers flights to see the Northern Lights?

Airports are usually good at helping people with mobility difficulties.

Original poster
AmicableHonest · 10/09/2023 17:08

PuttingDownRoots · 10/09/2023 16:57

Canadian canoes are more like rowing boats rather than getting off the floor... you sit on a seat.

I've done a lot of canoeing - no way she'd be able to get in or out.

OP posts:
Alltheparmesanplease · 10/09/2023 17:08

Go Ape?

Plastichanger · 10/09/2023 17:11

Second the zip line suggestion

OvertakenByLego · 10/09/2023 17:12

Adaptive surfing?

Bendrigg Trust specialise in activities such as zip wire, caving, canoeing, climbing for people with physical and learning disabilities. Worth looking at them, they do holidays too.

gogomoto · 10/09/2023 17:12

We went on a great boat trip in Pembrokeshire that went really fast but was suitable to get on with help from you plus crew. Fast enough to be a bit thrilling but safe i should add. They did one or 2 hour trips from near st David's, add a couple of days there perhaps?

titchy · 10/09/2023 17:15

Speedboat? Would she be willing to be hoisted or in a wheelchair in order to access something?