By Anne Pagnoni
As the end of summer nears, you may be considering a last minute vacation. If you or another member of your party has a chronic health condition, then there are some things that you may want to do before embarking on that fantastic voyage.
As soon as possible prior to your trip, arrange to meet with your physician to discuss any risks which may be involved with you traveling. This is especially important if you are traveling internationally as you may need immunizations or preventative medications prior to departure. Ask your physician for copies of recent EKG, laboratory, and x-ray results to take with you on your trip. If you are traveling to a country where English is not the primary language, then you may wish to have your medical records translated to the destination’s primary language. Keep in mind that while you may speak the language, if you are in a medically unstable condition, then you may not be able to communicate your health needs with the treating physician.
If you will be on an airplane or in a car for a long amount of time and have a history of circulatory problems, then you will want to take precautions to avoid swelling in the legs and developing blood clots. Make sure that you get up out of your seat or out of your car every hour or two and take a short walk; perform leg lifts several times per hour while sitting in your seat; and wear compression stockings.
Begin packing your luggage a week or two ahead of time to make the task more manageable. Pack all medications and medical supplies in your carry-on luggage. Bring extra medications in case you are delayed on your trip. Make sure your medications are in their original bottles to avoid any unnecessary delay at customs.
Contact your wireless cell phone provider to make sure that your phone can work internationally. Have the names, phone numbers, and fax numbers for all treating physicians and your pharmacy. Make sure you have the local numbers as 1-800 numbers typically do not work outside of the country. Have phone numbers of the local hospital in the country where you’ll be staying.
If you suffer from blood sugar issues or require food to take medications, then have a light snack on hand. This is especially important if you are traveling by plane as meals are no longer always served during a long flight.
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Safer Travel for Those with Dementia
Summer is the time of year when many Americans plan summer and holiday travel. Whether you’re considering a weekend getaway or an extended stay, traveling with an individual who has Alzheimer’s requires additional thought and preparation.
People with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers need to be prepared for a change in schedule and environment. Even if it is a trip you have taken before, it may feel new for the person with the disease.
Additionally, as Alzheimer’s progresses, negotiating changes in environment will become increasingly challenging. Be prepared for the individual with the disease to experience some confusion or disorientation. Exercise caution, as wandering and getting lost are more likely during transitional times. The checklist below will help you plan for the trip and make it successful and safe.
Before going
• Call the Alzheimer’s Association chapter in the area you will be visiting. Let them know you will be staying in the area and ask about available resources. You can locate any chapter by calling 1.800.272.3900 or visiting www.alz.org/apps/findus.asp.
• Enroll the person in MedicAlert® + Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return®, a 24-hour nationwide emergency response service for individuals with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia who wander or have a medical emergency. You may also want to consider the Alzheimer’s Association Comfort Zone®, powered by Omnilink, a Web-based GPS location management service or Alzheimer’s Association Comfort Zone Check-InTM.
• If you are already enrolled in MedicAlert, update your records with temporary contact information (call 1.888.572.8566).
Upon arrival
• Let neighbors know a person with Alzheimer’s is staying next door and ask them to keep their eye out for wandering or other unsafe behavior.
• During the first few days after arrival, keep your schedule light with lots of down time.
• Create opportunities to re-acclimate the person to the new environment.
• Keep familiar things around.
• Limit access to money and credit cards.
• Limit access to driving.
• Be aware that the change can be chaotic for the person.
• Recognize the warning signs of anxiety and agitation.
For more tips on safety for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, including concerns about wandering, disaster preparedness, home and medication safety, visit the Alzheimer’s Association Safety Center at www.alz.org/safetycenter or call 1.800.272.3900 to find the Alzheimer’s Association chapter closest to you.
People with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers need to be prepared for a change in schedule and environment. Even if it is a trip you have taken before, it may feel new for the person with the disease.
Additionally, as Alzheimer’s progresses, negotiating changes in environment will become increasingly challenging. Be prepared for the individual with the disease to experience some confusion or disorientation. Exercise caution, as wandering and getting lost are more likely during transitional times. The checklist below will help you plan for the trip and make it successful and safe.
Before going
• Call the Alzheimer’s Association chapter in the area you will be visiting. Let them know you will be staying in the area and ask about available resources. You can locate any chapter by calling 1.800.272.3900 or visiting www.alz.org/apps/findus.asp.
• Enroll the person in MedicAlert® + Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return®, a 24-hour nationwide emergency response service for individuals with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia who wander or have a medical emergency. You may also want to consider the Alzheimer’s Association Comfort Zone®, powered by Omnilink, a Web-based GPS location management service or Alzheimer’s Association Comfort Zone Check-InTM.
• If you are already enrolled in MedicAlert, update your records with temporary contact information (call 1.888.572.8566).
Upon arrival
• Let neighbors know a person with Alzheimer’s is staying next door and ask them to keep their eye out for wandering or other unsafe behavior.
• During the first few days after arrival, keep your schedule light with lots of down time.
• Create opportunities to re-acclimate the person to the new environment.
• Keep familiar things around.
• Limit access to money and credit cards.
• Limit access to driving.
• Be aware that the change can be chaotic for the person.
• Recognize the warning signs of anxiety and agitation.
For more tips on safety for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, including concerns about wandering, disaster preparedness, home and medication safety, visit the Alzheimer’s Association Safety Center at www.alz.org/safetycenter or call 1.800.272.3900 to find the Alzheimer’s Association chapter closest to you.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Safer Travel for Those with Dementia
December is a time when many families are planning to travel to visit family and friends. Whether you're considering a weekend getaway or an extended stay, traveling with an individual who has Alzheimer's requires additional thought and preparation.
Additionally, as Alzheimer's progresses, negotiating changes in environment will become increasingly challenging. Be prepared for the individual with the disease to experience some confusion or disorientation. Exercise caution, as wandering and getting lost are more likely during transitional times. The checklist below will help you plan for the trip and make it successful and safe.
Before going persons with Alzheimer's and their caregivers need to be prepared for a change in schedule and environment. Even if it is a trip you have taken before, it may feel new for the person with the disease.
Additionally, as Alzheimer's progresses, negotiating changes in environment will become increasingly challenging. Be prepared for the individual with the disease to experience some confusion or disorientation. Exercise caution, as wandering and getting lost are more likely during transitional times. The checklist below will help you plan for the trip and make it successful and safe.
Before going persons with Alzheimer's and their caregivers need to be prepared for a change in schedule and environment. Even if it is a trip you have taken before, it may feel new for the person with the disease.
- Call the Alzheimer's Association chapter in the area you will be visiting. Let them know you will be staying in the area and ask about available resources. You can locate any chapter by calling 1.800.272.3900 or visiting www.alz.org/apps/findus.asp.
- Enroll the person in MedicAlert® + Alzheimer's Association Safe Return®, a 24-hour nationwide emergency response service for individuals with Alzheimer's or a related dementia who wander or have a medical emergency. You may also want to consider the Alzheimer's Association Comfort ZoneTM, powered by Omnilink, a Web-based GPS location management service.
- If you are already enrolled in MedicAlert, update your records with temporary contact information (call 1.888.572.8566).
- Let the neighbors know a person with Alzheimer's is staying next door and ask them to keep their eye out for wandering or other unsafe behavior.
- During the first few days after arrival, keep your schedule light with lots of down time.
- Create opportunities to re-acclimate the person to the new environment.
- Keep familiar things around.
- Limit access to money and credit cards.
- Limit access to driving.
- Be aware that the change can be chaotic for the person.
- Recognize the warning signs of anxiety and agitation.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
5 Steps To Protect Against Extreme Heat’s Effects On Seniors
Article written by the Co-Founder of Home Care Assistance. Great tips to consider especially during the dog days of summer, which are upon us!
5 Steps To Protect Against Extreme Heat’s Effects On Seniors
5 Steps To Protect Against Extreme Heat’s Effects On Seniors
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Travel Tips for Seniors on the Go!
by Dr. Kathy Johnson, PhD, CMC
Going on a trip? Are you traveling by plane, train or bus and you want to pack light? Here are some great travel suggestions for Seniors Citizens who plan to travel for a one week stay to almost anywhere for two:
» If you have to take shampoos, lotions, tooth paste, mouth wash, etc. either buy the small traveler sizes or, if small bottles are available, transfer liquids to these.
» Pack only cotton underwear (3) and cotton socks (men 3 pr.- women one pr. panty-hose, one pr. knee-highs one pr. cotton socks), and roll these to save space (they can be placed into shoes). Note: you can wash these items while there.
» Pack items of clothing to ‘layer’, i.e. one light-weight cotton knit cardigan to wear over two or three different cotton knit shirts or blouses (NO bulky sweaters).
» No more than TWO pairs of shoes (one pr. comfortable walking and one pr. dress), the comfortable clothes will probably be worn in travel.
» Two pairs slacks (you'll be wearing the third pair) or skirts (if preferred). Choose items that can mix/match with everything packed.
» Pack medicines, book/magazine, snack, flat slippers (in case the feet swell) and only other necessary items in the carry-on tote. If there is a necessity for dress clothes, pack these in the fold-up hanging bag; shoes can fit in these, also, along with odd/end items.
» Don’t carry on board anything but the tote and a jacket/coat (when necessary-but don’t pack them); leave the ‘handling’ to others. If going to visit friends/family, and want to take gifts, box them and mail ahead of time; let the postal dept. help! Pack your needs, but pack them wisely! Happy traveling!
Airport Security Measures
Before you go on that senior travel tour make sure to check security measures and what you can and cannot take on board with you. Go to www.tsa.gov and click on “travel and consumers.” You will find a list of prohibited and permitted items for checked and carry-on luggage.
Invest in Portable Luggage
How many of us are still dragging around those heavy pieces of luggage? Well, it’s time for some new pieces! You know the kind that has the expandable tote-handle and wheels! Ah, what relief for our backs! I found these sizes to be so handy: 21″/22″ Carry-on (but don’t carry on :o) 27″ Upright, then add the 15″ Tote (to carry with you containing your medications and other absolute senior travel necessities), and the hang-up/zip-close ’suitor’ that has great extra compartments. These latter two MUST have handles, so you can lap these over either the Upright or Carry-on extended handles, and shuffle along your way! Don’t throw out the old luggage, however; use to store old keepsakes, clothing, books, whatever, and place in the attic to one day give to your grandchildren!
Traveling Off Season, The Senior Way!
Remember when we were younger and took the kids on vacation? And how crowded places of interest were? We had to make reservations far in advance to get a motel room. I’ve enjoyed a much slower pace of senior citizen travel and find it not hard to get reservation when traveling in the ‘off-season’; that is, when kids are back in school! We’ll also be giving families a break by not competing with their ‘time’. So try to plan your trips around this time of year (school summer vacations); you’ll find your trips more relaxing and easier to make plans.
Going on a trip? Are you traveling by plane, train or bus and you want to pack light? Here are some great travel suggestions for Seniors Citizens who plan to travel for a one week stay to almost anywhere for two:
» If you have to take shampoos, lotions, tooth paste, mouth wash, etc. either buy the small traveler sizes or, if small bottles are available, transfer liquids to these.
» Pack only cotton underwear (3) and cotton socks (men 3 pr.- women one pr. panty-hose, one pr. knee-highs one pr. cotton socks), and roll these to save space (they can be placed into shoes). Note: you can wash these items while there.
» Pack items of clothing to ‘layer’, i.e. one light-weight cotton knit cardigan to wear over two or three different cotton knit shirts or blouses (NO bulky sweaters).
» No more than TWO pairs of shoes (one pr. comfortable walking and one pr. dress), the comfortable clothes will probably be worn in travel.
» Two pairs slacks (you'll be wearing the third pair) or skirts (if preferred). Choose items that can mix/match with everything packed.
» Pack medicines, book/magazine, snack, flat slippers (in case the feet swell) and only other necessary items in the carry-on tote. If there is a necessity for dress clothes, pack these in the fold-up hanging bag; shoes can fit in these, also, along with odd/end items.
» Don’t carry on board anything but the tote and a jacket/coat (when necessary-but don’t pack them); leave the ‘handling’ to others. If going to visit friends/family, and want to take gifts, box them and mail ahead of time; let the postal dept. help! Pack your needs, but pack them wisely! Happy traveling!
Airport Security Measures
Before you go on that senior travel tour make sure to check security measures and what you can and cannot take on board with you. Go to www.tsa.gov and click on “travel and consumers.” You will find a list of prohibited and permitted items for checked and carry-on luggage.
Invest in Portable Luggage
How many of us are still dragging around those heavy pieces of luggage? Well, it’s time for some new pieces! You know the kind that has the expandable tote-handle and wheels! Ah, what relief for our backs! I found these sizes to be so handy: 21″/22″ Carry-on (but don’t carry on :o) 27″ Upright, then add the 15″ Tote (to carry with you containing your medications and other absolute senior travel necessities), and the hang-up/zip-close ’suitor’ that has great extra compartments. These latter two MUST have handles, so you can lap these over either the Upright or Carry-on extended handles, and shuffle along your way! Don’t throw out the old luggage, however; use to store old keepsakes, clothing, books, whatever, and place in the attic to one day give to your grandchildren!
Traveling Off Season, The Senior Way!
Remember when we were younger and took the kids on vacation? And how crowded places of interest were? We had to make reservations far in advance to get a motel room. I’ve enjoyed a much slower pace of senior citizen travel and find it not hard to get reservation when traveling in the ‘off-season’; that is, when kids are back in school! We’ll also be giving families a break by not competing with their ‘time’. So try to plan your trips around this time of year (school summer vacations); you’ll find your trips more relaxing and easier to make plans.
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