Disabilities and travel

also if you have tips about traveling with disabilities we would appreciate them. we-Lloyd only use public transport. and considering changing my hostel reservations for a cheap hotel. and I can think of anything else at this time.

Can your brother step up or do any stairs? It may be easier for you both to plan on using the bus. We stayed in the Alexanderplatz area on the bus route that Rick mentions in his book. (I forget the number-it goes along the main avenue and takes you past most of the sites). This worked very well for us. We used the subway only once and used the bus very frequently.
Also , we have begun to slow our travel down and to use cabs more often.
You may also want to consider using a group or bus tour which includes hotel pick-up for some of your trips.
If your brother doesn't have one, my dad uses a 'cane' he got in a golf store that flips into a little seat. this is very helpful.
Im sure you will have a wonderful time .

Yes, i would go with a hotel - and choose one that has a nicer breakfast area or lounge. As we have gotten older, we have begun to do more relaxing in the hotel. So we sightsee in the morning, come back to the hotel and enjoy a rest in room or by pool or in the lounge before going out to dinner. We also enjoy the hop on hop off buses or boats- we just stay on and do the whole loop Another thing to consider is to make certain there is an elevator and request a room close to it. We forgot that some hotels span 2 buildings and so there are steps between the 2 buildings. So while we took an elevator to our 'floor', we still had to navigate 4 steps when we walked down the hall to our room.
Your brother may need to plan around his medication- some people need to allow time for meds to kick in to maximize their mobility. He may also be a person who does better sleeping in a little later and then going out. Hopefully, he will be able to tell you that.
You will still have a very enjoyable trip- it just may be a little different than the one you would take before

Your brother needs to get a passport asap - pay for expedited service.

The city's transport site has an route planner with an option for accessibility, see here.
Last time I was in Germany, I was surprised at the number of out-of-service elevators & escalators. The above web site has a list of faulty lifts, that might help.
If you search the web you'll likely find web sites, like this one, that may be more helpful.
You'll also want to insure your hotel is accessible. The last hotel I stay at had a long, steep climb to the "2nd" floor check-in.

As Zoe says, step one is to get him a passport ASAP. Go to this, the official US government website, choose DS-11 Form Filler, and follow the steps https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/forms.html. This will fill out the forms that you can then print out (much easier and neater than filling them out by hand).

If he's had a passport within the last few years, he is eligible for a renewal; if not, he has to get a new passport. Using the Form Filler, it will direct you to the correct form. If he is a new applicant, it may take you some time to get the needed documents such as a birth certificate. And you may have to pay to get a birth certificate expedited, as well as paying to get the passport expedited.

Next, here's Rick's page on traveling with disabilities; it has general tips as well as some useful links. https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/trip-planning/travelers-with-disabilities.

Berlin's S-Bahn stations, which are usually overhead, almost all have elevators (I know because my mother will not ride escalators), but I remember one station had only escalators and stairs; unfortunately, I don't remember which one. I also don't remember the facilities at U-Bahn stations, which are mostly underground. If you're going to the former East Berlin sections, they still have trams, which are much easier. Leipzig, Erfurt, and Nuremberg also have trams. However, for Nuremberg, they aren't useful in the center (I took them to the Nazi rally grounds and the Dokuzentrum); I remember a lot of walking, some of it over bridges. For Leipzig, I often took a tram one or two stops.

Having said that, you will probably be taking many more taxis than a typical visitor. Luckily, German taxis are clearly marked and reliable. There are legitimate extra fees (such as for items in the trunk, or picking up at a train station), but these are clearly listed in a placard in the cab. I suppose it's possible, but I've never had difficulty with a taxi in Germany (they use the meter, are polite, don't take the long way unnecessarily, etc).

If your brother has such trouble walking, you may want a wheelchair or pushchair for some or all of the trip. Investigate local rentals in Germany, if he won't be bringing one with him (probably bringing with is a better idea). Definitely make sure to arrange, in advance, to get assistance at the airports!

Many major museums have wheelchairs to loan for your visit but it's best to call in advance.

I've never been to Berlin so can't help there, but I understand that Berlin is reasonably inexpensive, and I would try for a decent hotel with a good elevator rather than saving 10 or 20 euro. Yes, I understand about the value of money.

Also, not knowing you or your brother, I'd like to cast a little optimism about Parkinsonism. I have a little personal knowledge of the condition, from my grandfather's illness. Your statement about becoming demented is not my experience. My grand-dad was sharp as a tack until the day he died (of something not related). Yes, he had difficulty speaking, quite a lot, but that didn't affect his intellect. We just had to be patient. His handwriting was badly affected as was his walk.

But this was several decades ago and I know that some progress has been made treating the condition.

I don't want to stick my oar in where it isn't wanted, but unless his personal doctor has said that these will undoubtedly follow, I wanted to offer some positive optimism.

I hope that you and he have a wonderful vacation and that places you visit can make small adjustments to help him.

I posted something similar to Nigel, but it was deleted by the webmaster. I hope the OP sees it.