Can Hospice Patients Travel?
Yes, people receiving hospice care can still travel. While hospice care acknowledges that a patient has decided to opt for comfort-based care rather than care addressed to cure diseases or prolong life, receiving this kind of care does not mean that a patient has given up on living their remaining days to the fullest!
Start With A Check-In
If you are considering traveling while receiving hospice care, be sure to talk to your doctor or hospice nurse first. They can help you plan for any special needs you may have and make sure that you have the support you need while away from home.
It is also possible to coordinate care with a hospice in your chosen travel location, which may be useful if you intend to stay a while. This guide from the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization has a lot of helpful information to help you coordinate everything.
What Are Your Must-Haves?
While most people have a list of “must-sees” when they travel, your list will more likely revolve around the things you need in order to help keep you feeling your best. Perhaps you will enjoy your travels the most if you can do most of your activities during a certain part of the day, or if you leave a certain part of your schedule reserved for resting. Maybe you don’t do well in the heat, or aren’t able to comfortably walk more than a certain distance. Be sure to account for all your preferences when planning your schedule.
Having limitations doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy traveling. It just means that you have to plan a little more, and that it may take you a bit longer to get to experience all the sights and sounds your chosen location has to offer.
Who Will Be Traveling With You?
There is a good chance that you may need help caring for yourself while on your trip for tasks as simple as helping you with medication, to more involved tasks, such as cooking or showering. Will a loved on or travel companion be able to help you with those tasks, or would it be better to hire help? Would you need that help during travel itself, or can you simply arrange for someone to help you once you arrive at your destination?
Do You Have All The Supplies You Need?
Do you have enough medication to last throughout your trip, or do you need to get a refill or copy of your prescription(s) before you go? Do you need other supplies, such as incontinence supplies or nebulizer refills? What about any sleeping or mobility aids? If taking all your supplies feels too cumbersome, and if you plan to stay at your destination for a while, it may be just as easy to rent supplies when you arrive, or order a second set and have them shipped ahead of time.
Safety First
Before you go, it would be good to make a list of important phone numbers and/or websites for doctors, pharmacies, and any other supplies or care providers you may need. Having a plan in place before you travel certainly makes things less stressful along the way.
It is also good to keep a full list of your medications along with a list of your conditions with you. Consider wearing a medical alert bracelet if relevant, and make sure that your travel companions know where to find your list in case of a medical emergency. Try to notify at least one other person who isn’t traveling with you of your plans, just so they are on-deck to help out.
Live Life to the Fullest!
Last but not least- enjoy yourself! Where there is a will, there is always a way. Don’t let the inevitable rob you of the joy you can experience right here, right now. It may be a bit more difficult to travel while receiving hospice care, but it isn’t always impossible. Take things slow, do a little extra planning, and try to remain flexible as circumstances change.
Bon voyage!