10 Tips on Traveling with Health Issues
Though there’s an ongoing push towards better health in the United States and abroad, there’s also a much higher percentage of our population that suffers from some form of serious illness or condition. However, that doesn’t mean that life comes to a screeching halt just because you’re dealing with a health issue! Whether you want to see particular places as part of your bucket list or simply want to get away from it all for some R & R, this list of tips on traveling with health issues can help you see everything possible.
Tip #1
Plan to over-plan and -research. If you have trouble maneuvering in crowds, find out when the different geysers are least busy at Yellowstone and take advantage of the quiet. Worried about room layout on your cruise cabin? Check for photos of the specific cabin and see if there are any issues you can notice as soon as possible after making reservations.
Tip #2
Take advantage of disability services and accommodations when needed, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Don’t struggle with accommodations that are hard to maneuver in. After a long day of travel, having an accessible shower, lift or a spare hand from a helpful staff member can make a big difference in how easily you can get going again the next day.
Tip #3
Locate local resources you can tap if needed on your trip. Are you going to need medication refills? Find local pharmacies near the location you’ll be at during that time. Have a medical marijuana card for your cancer pain? When traveling to Oklahoma, find a Tulsa dispensary that can make it easier to get what you need to keep your pain level under control.
Tip #4
Plan extra time into your schedule. Much like traveling with children, traveling with health issues can take more time than you might expect. You may take longer to get moving in the morning, require more frequent stops along the way for snacks or restroom stops or will need to break the trip up into shorter segments to keep from overdoing things.
Tip #5
Keep a copy of your medical records with you. Though you probably should wait on travel until your condition is somewhat stable, it’s still a good idea to keep your medical records with you on the go. You can get digital copies placed on a USB drive for ease of storage and fast access if needed. There are secured USB drives available if you’re concerned about privacy.
Tip #6
Make a list of your medications. If you’re planning on travel that includes security checkpoints, consider taking prescription bottles with you for verification. If you don’t have room for them, take pictures of the labels with your smartphone so that you can verify that you have a legal prescription for those medications, especially controlled substances.
Tip #7
Reach out to the disabled travel community and ask questions. There’s at least a decent chance that for major destinations, someone else has already been there and done that. By asking questions, you can find out a lot more information that is specific to your concerns, such as whether you can access specific features or how helpful the staff can be with particular issues.
Tip #8
You can also call the site and ask the staff about specific issues. Because they deal with the property or asset on a daily basis, they’re often able to take measurements, tell you whether the local barbeque has a ramp, can confirm the presence or absence of a pool lift for your water therapy or how many stairs you’d have to navigate to your timeshare unit.
Tip #9
Talk with your doctor ahead of your trip. In many cases, your doctor has seen a lot of other people go through the same disease or disability you’re still learning to deal with. This means that they know how it will progress, potential issues to watch out for and any number of other tricks and tips to make your journey go more smoothly.
Tip #10
Consider renting or using on-site mobility devices. Maybe you’re not going to be doing a lot of walking once you’re on vacation, but getting through the airport can be a challenge. Ask for wheelchair service to avoid the problem. Similarly, make arrangements for scooter rental once you get where you’re going if you don’t want to pack a wheelchair during your drive or flight
Being disabled or having to deal with a serious illness doesn’t mean that you can’t explore the world around you. It simply takes a little more time, planning and research. By keeping these tips in mind when you’re making your travel plans, you’ll be able to relax when you are on travel, making it easier to see the sites you want to take in.