Travel can be an especially challenging activity for your loved one. Still, with careful planning and consideration, you can make the journey safe and comfortable for you and your loved one.
Travel is always a potentially stressful activity for anyone. Travel hubs are typically crowded, noisy places, transportation can be delayed or canceled, and being on travel often means being in unfamiliar places. Given all of that, travel can be an especially challenging activity for your loved one. Still, with careful planning and consideration, you can make the journey safe and comfortable for you and your loved one.
Here are some guidelines to help you prepare and manage your trip effectively:
● Consult with a Healthcare Provider: Before planning any trip, consult with your loved one’s doctor and other members of their medical team to discuss your upcoming travel plans. Your doctors may offer specific medical advice, as well as recommend travel-friendly medications to make the trip easier.
● Keep Your Daily Schedule: Your loved one thrives on routine and familiarity. When possible, maintain your usual patterns of eating and sleeping times, for example, as well as other regular daily routines. If your loved one typically gets more agitated in the afternoon, for example, then schedule travel or other busy activities for earlier in the day.
● Plan the Trip Carefully: If the trip includes a specific “event” of importance, carefully consider the timing of your travel. When possible, avoid so-called “red-eye” flights or late night road trips. Planning to arrive at least one day ahead of the big event will allow some wiggle room for delays, as well as helping to ensure that you and your loved one will be well rested and ready.
● Alert Your Friends and Family: Share any mood and behavior changes that have surfaced in your loved one lately, so people who will be interacting with your loved one will know what to expect. Use this opportunity to provide any tips to friends and family that might be helpful in navigating any potential sensitive interactions.
● Take Documents and Identification: Carry important health documents and medications with you as you travel — not in a checked suitcase. Keep photos of these documents on your phone as well. Also draw up a list of medications, emergency contacts, and the doctor's contact information to carry with you. Be sure to note if your loved one has diabetes, seizures, and/or is on a blood thinner. Consider getting an identification bracelet, or a wearable GPS tracker for both your loved one and for yourself. Also carry a change of clothes for your loved one.
● Pack Familiar Items: When packing for your loved one, make sure you bring along items that are familiar and comforting, such as their favorite snacks, clothes, and items for their favorite activities. Bring extra medications, and any other special supplies you may need.
● Consider Your Mode of Transportation: Air travel may be faster than driving, but it can also be a lot more stressful, considering that airports are busy, and flying may require sitting for an extended period of time. If you do choose to fly, take direct flights, if possible, and book them directly via the airline, so you can tell them that your loved one needs special assistance. At the airport, seek out “companion care” bathrooms where you can accompany your loved one, and consider requesting wheelchair assistance and early boarding (Also see Alert Your Travel Providers below). Driving to your destination will give you more flexibility, but also requires more frequent stops, which can also be a challenge. Again, seek out companion restrooms and plan time to walk at least ten minutes to help you and your loved one’s circulation. Activities in the car can include listening to audio books, word search puzzles, and making phone calls to family and friends your loved one will enjoy hearing from.
● Alert Your Travel Providers: If your loved one would benefit from a wheelchair while in the airport, alert your airline to provide one. Even if your loved one can walk on their own, having them transported in a wheelchair helps in other ways, such as getting through security checkpoints and getting extra help in pre-boarding the airplane. If staying in a hotel, let the manager know of your loved one’s condition.
● Plan for Emergencies: Wherever your destination, make sure you have a plan for medical emergencies, such as finding the location of the hospital nearest to where you and your loved one will be staying. You might consider purchasing travel insurance, and getting tickets that are changeable and refundable.
● Stay Calm and Be Flexible: Things happen, whether your loved one has a medical issue or is just extremely uncomfortable in the new environment. In any case you need to be prepared to adjust your plans -- your loved one’s health and comfort should always be the priority. Whenever possible factor in extra time so you don’t have to rush your loved one.
● Take Care of Yourself, Too! As always, caring for yourself is critical, and even more so while you're on the road. Make sure you get plenty of rest, and get support if you feel overwhelmed. If your stay is extended, consider reaching out to family members or researching a local Adult Day center to give you a respite.
● Try a “Practice Run”: If you're thinking of taking a long trip, consider doing a similar shorter trip, first, to see how your loved one reacts to the various aspects of travel. Including similar travel arrangements will help you plan for working around potential problems and challenges.
Traveling should be a fun and enlightening experience for you and your loved one. With the right planning and flexibility, you can make a trip safe and enjoyable.
Please talk with your own/loved one’s healthcare provider before using any of this information.
