Whether you want to go on vacation, you are moving home or you are visiting family in another state, traveling with a chronic illness can be difficult. For some, planning a trip can be a daunting prospect, throw a debilitating condition into the mix as well and the thought of going on holiday can quickly become overwhelming. Luckily, with a bit of forward planning and specialist help, traveling does not have to be stressful. Here are a few top travel tips for people managing a chronic illness.
Travel With a Patient Advocate
Travelling with a patient advocate can help reduce stress levels. When it comes to medical transport, a patient advocate is the same as a flight nurse. Their job is to communicate with health professionals and medical staff on your behalf. When you are traveling, a flight nurse will liaise with staff on the flight to ensure that you have everything you need, and they will look after your physical and emotional well-being. Flight nurses have critical care and emergency experience and are trained in aviation physiology. Their job is to ensure your journey is comfortable from beginning to end. Non-emergency medical transport providers, such as Flying Angels, can help arrange for a flight nurse to accompany you on your journey.
Prepare For Your Journey
Make sure you are fully prepared for your journey in terms of medication and healthcare. Do your research on travel restrictions in the destination you are traveling to and double check you are following the rules. The last thing you want is to get caught out, especially if you are managing a chronic illness. Take copies of your medication with you in case you need extra supplies and, if possible, travel with your medication nearby. By keeping your essential medication handy, you can reduce the risk of losing it through lost luggage or finding yourself without due to flight delays and cancellations.
Pack Extra Medication
Besides keeping your medication and a copy of your prescription with you when you travel, you should pack extra medication too, though this is something you probably already do. It is always better to have too much medication than not enough.
Be Informed
Before you travel, research the different healthcare options at the destination you are traveling to. Healthcare can vastly differ in foreign countries, so make sure you know what to expect if you need medical assistance abroad.
Be Realistic
It can be easy to get caught up in the moment and tire yourself out. Be realistic with what you handle and do not go overboard. The last thing you want is to bite off more than you can chew and risk your health. If you are traveling for leisure, make sure you schedule in some downtime. It might be tempting to “make the most” of your vacation and plan back-to-back activities. Unfortunately, this type of itinerary is not suitable for everyone and you may find yourself feeling stressed and tired. Instead, focus on the activities you really want to do instead of trying to tick everything off the list.
