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Traveling with a chronically ill relative can be difficult. However, being prepared and seeking the right help will ensure your loved one can still enjoy a family vacation.
Having a chronic illness doesn’t necessarily mean that you cannot travel or fly; you may just need some assistance from the airline or from a flying nurse. If you want your loved one to join in on the next vacation, here is everything you need to know.
Speak To Their Doctor
Before you decide on whether your relative should travel, you need to speak with their doctor. It may be that their chronic illness is stable at the moment; meaning now is the best time to travel.
A doctor can also help with any immunizations they may need to keep them safe whilst abroad. It is useful to get the doctor to write a note with important information. This often includes things like medication (including names and dosage), relevant medical history, and anything else they deem important in case of an emergency.
Before you travel, you should invest in travel insurance for your loved one. Be sure to read all the small print, as some travel insurance policies aren’t what they first seem.
Non-Emergency Medical Help for Chronic Illnesses
Whilst flying, you may want to hire non-emergency nurses who can accompany you and your relative on the airplane. This allows you to still book a commercial airline and an experienced nurse will care for your relative during the entire flight.
This can provide both you and your loved one with peace of mind and may also calm any anxieties your relative may be having about traveling with an illness. A flying nurse will provide a compassionate and caring approach to care and will make sure your relative is cared for from start to end.
Plus, it will also ensure they get on and off the plane first or last, depending on what is best for them. If you want to take the stress out of traveling, a flying nurse can help!
Once You Reach Your Destination
Choosing a destination that is appropriate for your relative is very important. You will need somewhere that is accessible, particularly if your relative is disabled.
Once you have this in mind, you can begin to do some research regarding the area. This includes finding the nearest pharmacies and medical centers so you are aware of what help you can access if required.
Be sure to check out reviews for restaurants before going, as those who are chronically ill are more likely to take longer to recover if they contract food poisoning. It may also be best to book transport to and from the airport and destinations before you start your vacation.
This way, you won’t have to wait around for a wheelchair accessible taxi, or you may even want to hire a car yourself.
Chronic illness shouldn’t hinder a relative from enjoying a family vacation. Speaking to their doctor first and getting help on the flight can reduce stress and help to keep your relative safe during their journey.
Krystle Cook – the creator of Home Jobs by MOM – put her psychology degree on a shelf and dived into a pile of diapers and dishes instead. She is a wife and mother to two rambunctious boys, sweating it out in her Texas hometown. She loves cooking, DIY home projects, and family fun activities.
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