Travelling with a Carer in 2020
Whether you are looking to go away for a holiday or out of necessity, travelling can be fun, enjoyable and exciting for most of us.
For some people, however, it can be more challenging. If you have physical or psychological problems, are elderly, or require extra care, it can be tempting to avoid travelling as much as possible as it can present a number of obstacles or difficulties.
This needn’t be the case, however. Everybody deserves and can benefit from travelling every now and then, and just because you have certain challenges in life, it doesn’t mean that you should miss out. One option that is available to you is to travel with a carer.
According to expert care-givers at Helping Hands, a carer “can provide companionship and help around the home, whether that’s cooking your favourite meals or keeping the bathroom clean. They can also help with mobility issues, personal care and many areas of nurse-led support.”
This means that if you travel with a carer, you or your loved one can rest assured that you will be well looked after, have medication taken care of, help with mobility issues – and have a great companion too.
If you or a loved one are thinking about travelling with a carer there a few things which you should take into consideration:
Where you are Going
Sometimes we have no choice about where we are travelling to, but if you are looking to go away for a holiday and can be more flexible about your destination, it is worthwhile doing some research around where is best to go for your all-round enjoyment.
Most big European and US cities, for example, have good access for the disabled and vision-impaired on their transport systems. Other third world countries are less likely to be so well provided. Some places are much better than others so it is a good idea to look into this when you are deciding where to go.
You should also consider how you are going to get there – although most transport methods in the UK are equipped and can be adapted, this isn’t the same everywhere around the world. Some places may also have less stringent health and safety rules that you might also need to be aware of.
Travelling with Medication
If you have medication that you need to take with you, there are a few factors which you should think about:
- Your doctor should be able to give you a letter detailing what your medication is and that you need to take it with you
- Take a copy of your prescription in case you need to get more whilst you are away
- Write down the generic names of your medication in case the brands are different in a foreign country
- Make sure that you take enough medication for your whole trip (and a bit more if possible)
- Take your medication in its original packaging so that there is no doubt about what it is
- Speak to your doctor about how to deal with time zone changes and your medication
- Take your medication in your hand luggage and liquids in a clear plastic bag if you are flying
- Store any medication that needs to be refrigerated in a cool bag and transfer it to a fridge when you get to your destination (if you don’t have one in your room, ask at reception if they can store it for you and make sure that you clearly label it)
If you have certain medical needs it is also important that you are prepared. For example, learn what the emergency phone number is in your country of destination, maybe learn how to say your condition in their language – or at least have it written down.
Insurance
Depending on where you are going, what you are planning on doing and any specific needs that you have, you should also get comprehensive travel insurance. British citizens have access to the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which will give you the right to use the national health services of EU countries as you would in the UK. This should be used in addition to your health insurance, however, not in place of it.
Travelling can bring so many pleasures to life and there’s no reason why some people should have to miss out. Going away with a carer can give you and your loved ones peace of mind that you or your loved one will be properly looked after and cared for, allowing you to relax, enjoy the trip and have the time of your life!
Guest Post by Evelyn James:
Outdoorsy girl, tea drinker, Ravenclaw.
Aspiring novelist; currently writing the twenty-third chapter. evelyn.james@harbourmail.co.uk
