Happy New Year caregivers! I hope you all got to enjoy some time to do things that bring you joy over the last few weeks. I had just over two weeks off of my full-time job, a luxury that I don’t take for granted. The organization I work for really takes employee well-being seriously, and giving us extended time off to take a break and spend time with family or friends is an important piece of that. I hope you were also able to hit the pause button, even if it was just for short time.
In the Twin Cities of Minnesota where Laura and I live, the last few weeks have also brought all kinds of wild weather. Just before Christmas we experienced brutal cold, a ton of snow, and blizzard conditions. Just as it seemed things were finally getting cleared up and back to normal, we’ve been hit with another foot of snow, mixed with freezing rain and sleet, causing a huge mess on the roads. So far this season we’ve gotten over 40” of snow – and our average in an entire year is around 55”!
Something about the new year and all of this crazy weather has me dreaming of the trips I’ve got planned in 2023. Later this month, I’ll head up to northern MN along the north shore of Lake Superior with a group of friends for some skiing, time by the fire, games, good food, and good friends. I have such fond memories of growing up taking trips to the North Shore with my family, so I always feel extra nostalgic on this trip.
My husband and I are also planning a trip to Korea (a trip that’s been delayed for the last several years and we really hope we can finally take!)
I’ve also got lots of smaller trips around the state we’re hoping to take this year.
If you’re like me, travel as a caregiver comes with two big considerations:
- You’re going on a trip away from home and leaving the person you care for behind, and need to think through the logistics of what will happen in your absence. You might need to arrange full-time respite care, or simply have someone who will pop in to check on them, or be available in case of emergency.
- You’re going on a trip with the person you care for, which brings its own set of unique challenges.
In this month’s blog, I’ll share some tips and tricks I’ve picked up along the way both personally and professionally for traveling with your loved one.
5 Tips for Traveling with Someone You’re Caring For
- Choose Wisely
When planning a trip with someone you care for requires a good deal of planning ahead. Ensure you’ve considered the location, travel arrangements, and accommodations at your destination carefully. For example, in people with MS, fatigue and difficulties regulating body temperature are two common symptoms. This might mean you need to consider things climate (or at least, access to air conditioning or heat), proximity to locations you hope to visit, or other factors that might influence where you stay and what activities you intend to participate in when you get there. Talk it through with the person you’re traveling with and identify potential issues in advance so you can decide if there is a way to work through them together. The last thing you want to do is find yourself staying in a warm and humid climate and a room with no AC when you’re traveling with someone who gets easily hot and needs to take a break!
2. Pack Appropriately
Once you’ve chosen the location, it’s important to think about what you’re going to bring. For caregivers, this often goes far beyond just thinking through outfit and shoe choices. Be sure to check that you have medications- (including enough to get you through several days beyond the itinerary – we’ve all seen just how easy it can be for a flight to get canceled or delayed a few days, and you’ll want to be sure you aren’t stuck without important medications in this situation. You may also want to pack aids for daily living that can make the trip a little easier and more familiar. If there are special dietary needs, you might want to pack a few things that you know you can have on hand in case you have any troubles finding appropriate foods at the destination. Consider packing essential items in an easily accessible bag, such as a carry-on, so you’ll always be able to find them at a moment’s notice. Depending on how you plan to travel, you may need to check rules for TSA or contact customer service for your transportation to see if there are any restrictions, and what accommodations can be made for essentials.
3. Set Appropriate Expectations
As a caregiver, you’re probably used to hearing this one, but it bears repeating. Setting appropriate expectations and maintaining a flexible attitude when traveling is essential to ensuring everyone has a good time.
4. Create a Plan B (and C, and D…)
Speaking of flexibility, I find it’s helpful to have a backup plan. For example, let’s say we plan a trip to Colorado. On the first day, you’re planning to go on a hike. You’ve spent time researching which trails are most accessible and you and the person you care for have agreed that you’re both prepared for the route. But when you wake up in the morning, the person you’re caring for is experiencing some numbness and tingling in her leg. This isn’t unusual for her, so you’re not panicking, but you are bummed. Hiking just isn’t in the cards today. Instead of letting this ruin your day, you pivot and decide to see if you can book a Jeep tour and then check out a local brewery. This way, you’re still able to check out the local attractions, but without as much walking and in a much less strenuous environment. Having backup plans allows you to ensure everyone is still having a good time.
5. Have an Emergency Plan
No one wants to run into major issues, especially when you’re far away from home. But things happen, and it’s best to be prepared. Before you travel, discuss with your medical team and be sure to bring important information that might be helpful. Know where the nearest hospitals or emergency services are. Check your insurance so you understand what type of coverage you have if you’re traveling out of state or out of the country. Having a plan and knowing what you’ll do should an emergency happen will allow you to feel prepared, and therefore be more likely that you’ll be able to actually enjoy your trip instead of worrying about all of the things that could go wrong.
For anyone, travel can be a stressful activity, and this is even more true for caregivers. But with a little planning and some solid preparation, it can also be a fun way for you to explore new places, connect over shared experiences, and get some much needed time to relax and recharge.
Do you have any tips for traveling as a caregiver? Join the conversation on Instagram!