Everybody needs a holiday every now and then, but for some people, it’s not as straight-forward as simply deciding on a destination and booking it. For people with mobility issues or specific needs, there are also a number of other things that need to be taken into account.

People who employ the use of a carer when they are home – a full-time, live-in carer or someone who just visits their home when they are needed can often find that they can be put off by the idea that they would have to cope without a carer – as well as being in an unknown place.

The solution? Travel with your carer! By taking your carer with you, you can be sure that there is someone who knows what they are doing, that you are familiar with – and that is familiar with you and your needs are met – as well as helping you to enjoy yourself. According to Helping Hands, care-givers with over 30 years’ experience, “Care is so much more than just providing practical assistance; it’s about ensuring both mental and physical wellbeing are catered for”.

If you are thinking about going away and taking your carer with you, there are a few things which you should think about to ensure a smooth, stress-free holiday – which you can both enjoy.

Your Destination

It is a sad fact that the whole world is still not easy to negotiate if you are not young, fit and able-bodied, and this means that some destinations could be more challenging than others. Some places might not have adequate accessibility, slacker health and safety rules or public transport that does not lend itself to everyone. It is important, therefore, before you go, to do some research regarding how easy things might be for you in your destination.

Although it is unlikely that you will find anywhere that is perfect, there are some places which are easier than others. Barcelona, for example, has prioritised making their tourist sites accessible – including the beaches – as well as often implementing a queue-jump or discounted entry policy. Seattle in the USA has also focussed on making itself an easy city for people with mobility issues – offering services such as wheelchair user discounts, maps which show the most accessible transport routes and a paratransit minibus.

Getting There

You will also need to consider how you are going to get to your destination. Some airports offer help for those with mobility problems to get around, and you should look into how different airlines treat their customers who have specific needs. Depending on where you are in the world, you shouldn’t have any problem travelling by any conventional mode of transport – planes, buses, trains, ships and cars, for example, should all be well-equipped.

It is, however, worth researching this before you go, as although you might be able to get by, you’re going on holiday – enjoyment is an important factor here.

Health and Medication

Health and medication are other big considerations that you must think about. The best-case scenario is that you won’t need to use the local health services, but this might be something that you want to think about. Other things to consider include:

• Ensuring that you have enough medication to last your whole trip
• Looking into whether you can get extra medication whilst you are there in case of an emergency
• Taking a copy of your prescription with you
• Noting the generic name of your medication in case they are branded differently in your country of destination
• Getting a note from your doctors explaining your need for the medication that you are taking with you
• Taking your medication in its original packaging so that people can see what it is
• Carrying liquid medication in a clear plastic bag if flying
• Taking medication in your hand luggage
• Keeping anything that must be refrigerated in a cool bag and at your destination transferring it back to a fridge – or asking the management to keep it for you

You should also make sure that you get fully comprehensive insurance and that you state all of your medical issues. Specialist insurance can be found for the over-50s, for example, which is more tailored to the specific needs of this group of people, and at the moment in Europe, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) can be used alongside your insurance – giving you the right to free national health-care across the EU.

There are many joys which come with travelling and by taking a carer with you, you can ensure that you will have the best time possible. With your mind at rest that you will be looked after properly – as well as having good company, you can be sure that your holiday will be one to remember for all the right reasons!

Post supplied by Ella Hendrix