Summer is rapidly approaching, which for many spells the beginning of travel season. Children are out of school, the weather is ideal, and fewer obligations tend to exist in the summer. But if you’re a family caregiver, the logistics may make travel seem impossible. With a bit of planning, however, you, your family, and the loved one in your care can make the most of this summer travel season. Let’s talk about it.

Travel Tip 1: Assess the Risks You’ll Face

Step one, you’ll need to assess the risks you’ll face by taking your loved one on a trip. Before you leave, do your best to find and prepare for any potential challenges. Consider questions like:

• How does my loved one handle crowds, new faces, or new places?

• What behavioral changes should we expect if we disrupt their routine?

• Do they have any basic needs/survival needs you’ll need to keep in mind?

• Is your loved one at risk of wandering?
  

Travel Tip 2: Pack Smart & Strategically

As you probably already realize, when traveling with someone in need of care, you’ll have a lot more to consider than you normally would. This includes things like their medications, assistive devices, or incontinence tools. You may also need extra snacks or beverages to maintain their strength and energy levels or contact information for emergency doctors, nurses, or other care specialists.

Once you have everything gathered to pack, it’s time to put it together strategically. Some examples of how to pack a carry-on for a flight include:

• Pack any medically necessary tools/medications in a carry-on, not a checked bag. Checked bags go missing all the time. If there are any devices or medications your loved one needs to live (for example, essential prescriptions, medical devices like a CPAP machine, etc.) put them in your carry-on.

• Make sure you have a change of clothes and incontinence tools for a day or two in your carry-on if you’re checking a bag. For the same reason (namely, that luggage gets lost or delayed all the time) having a day or two of essentials in your carry-on can make any such misfortunes less impactful.

Travel Tip 3: Communicate and Adapt

One of the major issues you may run into with your loved one during a vacation is the consequences of changing their routine. Many aging or ailing adults are used to (and sometimes depend on) consistency. They can easily get agitated or irritable, taking some of the joy from travel.

Traveling is a major disruption to that routine – even if the timing stays the same, the environment (inevitably) completely changes. To prevent potential behaviors or negative reaction, stick to the routine as well as possible.

If you’re adjusting to a new time zone, there may be a few rough days as you all adapt. To get through it, it’s important to keep open communication with your loved one and accommodate their energy levels as much as possible. Give them a good idea of what to expect to avoid as many surprises as possible.

Travel Tip 4: Carry Identification Information

If your loved one has memory issues, they may be more likely to wander in a new environment. If you’re concerned about it, there are some things you can do to prepare and keep them a little safer.

• Attach or sew a tag with contact and identification information into their clothing (you can directly sew it into their clothing, or try using jewelry or shoes to attach the information)

• Use a Medical ID Bracelet, or a tracking device

• Keep the doors to your accommodations locked whenever possible

• Set alarms so you know when a door gets opened (especially at night)

• Take a picture of them first thing each morning so you can present an accurate description should they end up lost or missing

Closing Thoughts: Summer Travel as a Family Caregiver

Travel is one of the things we all look forward to most each year. While having to accommodate someone with additional needs may seem daunting, with just a bit of pre-planning, your trip can be just as fun as it ever would have been.

The Caregiver Resource Center of Orange County is here to provide assistance and guidance to help you do that. Check out our library of resources to help you navigate this experience. Together, we can navigate the healthcare landscape and help you provide the best possible care for your loved one(s).

Further Reading: Understanding the Difference: Medi-Cal vs. Medicare for Family Caregivers in Southern California

​​When navigating your healthcare options in California, you may be confused about the difference between Medi-Cal and Medicare. These two programs can provide valuable assistance, but knowing which one applies to your situation is incredibly important. So let's explore the nuances of Medi-Cal and Medicare, empowering you to make informed decisions in your caregiving journey. Dive in here.