Travelling with someone who has a disability or illness can seem overwhelming; however, it can be possible with good advanced planning. Here are some tips to consider:
A good place to start is a visit to the care recipient’s doctor for a check-up and clearance for travel. The doctor may be able to identify any challenges they foresee with travelling and/or your destination, as well as recommendations to ease the process.
Ensure you have an up-to-date copy of the care recipient’s medications, insurance records and medical record, in case they need treatment when away. Include contact information for their doctor, pharmacist and any other medical professional involved in their treatment.
Carry medications with you in case your luggage is lost en route and make sure you have enough medication for your trip as well as a few extra days, in case your return is delayed or you wish to stay longer.
Make a list of daily tasks related to diet, personal care and mobility, so you remember to take along all needed items. Start this list a couple weeks in advance as it can be easy to forget the little things you use daily.
If you’re travelling to an unfamiliar destination, locate hospitals and care centres ahead of time.
If travelling by air, check with the airlines for special seating, wheelchair accessibility and medical equipment arrangements. Also, once at your destination, amusement parks, museums and other attractions often have wheelchairs available for use.
Check with the transportation authority at your destination to find out what services they provide for people with special needs. Also, the Canadian Transportation Agency offers an online guide to provide advance travel information for persons with mobility, sensory and cognitive disabilities. It can be accessed at https://otc-cta.gc.ca/eng/take-charge.
Will you need to access home support services at your destination? Your local home support agency may have a branch at that locale. Otherwise, you can check online or contact hospitals or health units in the area for suggestions.
Ensure you plan for rest and recovery periods throughout the day, especially on travel days, so you have sufficient time to maneuver airports or train stations.
For someone who is at risk of wandering, put a card with their name and the name, address and telephone number of where you are staying in their pocket.
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Wendy Johnstone is a Gerontologist and a consultant with Family Caregivers of British Columbia in Victoria, BC.