Tag Archives: Travel

How to Travel with Someone Who Has an Illness


As much as you may enjoy traveling, you can’t neglect your health at any point. Moreover, what if you want to travel with someone that has an illness? While this shouldn’t stop you from traveling, you must keep in mind a number of steps in order to protect yourself and your travel buddy.

It all boils down to the research that you do before your trip and being prepared when the departure date finally arrives. Have you packed the necessary medication? Does everyone have travel insurance? Have you thought about hiring a medical escort?

In order to avoid the chaos of visiting a hospital in a foreign country, make a note of the following points.

Bring the necessary medication

If your travel partner has certain medication that they take for their health, it must be packed in their suitcase. That being said, make sure to research what the airline rules are about bringing prescription medicine, to ensure that you aren’t flagged for it.

Be safe and do prior research

Above all, you must stay safe abroad. Do prior research before you arrive at your destination, and don’t do anything that could potentially put anyone in danger.

Moreover, everyone should also make a point of visiting a vaccine travel clinic, to ensure that you and your loved ones will not become sick or worsen an existing condition.

Bring a medical escort on board

If you know for a fact that the individual you are traveling with will require medical assistance and that they are prone to health risks, you should consider bringing a medical escort with you

There are companies who offer these types of services, such as Flying Angels, as they help you plan your flight and help ensure that you have everything you need before you get on board, such as the necessary medical equipment.

Invest in travel insurance

Investing in travel insurance will ensure that you don’t have to pay thousands of dollars of your own money to pay for a hospital bill abroad.

Even if you have asked the doctor about whether or not it is safe to travel with a current illness, and you have received approval to do so, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Don’t over-do it with physical activity

Although you may want to push yourself to participate in various types of activities while in another country, no one should over-exert themselves. If you do, you will be putting yourself at risk of encountering additional health problems and worsening the illness. Even if you want to hike for long periods of time, keep in mind that too much exercise can negatively impact your health.

Traveling is a fun and inspiring activity, although you can never neglect the importance of your health while you are planning any trip. This is especially true if you or someone you know already has an illness and a predisposition towards certain health problems. Although this should not deter you from leaving on your trip, you must take the necessary and precautionary measures at all times. The whole point of your travels is to relax and have fun, not spend time in a foreign hospital.

 

 

Leave a comment

Filed under Caregiving, The Purple Jacket

How to travel the world in your 60s


Just because you are getting older it doesn’t mean that your traveling days are over. Of course, you might need to slow down a bit and work around your physical limitations, but visiting different places around the world and exploring new cultures in your 60’s is definitely possible. To help you navigate through big cities and go on new adventures, here is our list of useful tips for senior travelers.

  1. Make Smart Connections

Instead of making connections in massive airports where you’ll need to drag your suitcases through multiple terminals, choose a smaller airport for a better and easier flight connection. You will also save valuable time and avoid long lines at the passport control.

  1. Get Travel Insurance

As a senior traveler, you are more likely to need travel insurance. In case you get sick or need extra medication, investing in a medical insurance while traveling overseas might come in handy. Senior travelers with pre-existing conditions should pay attention on the type of medical services that are covered in their insurance.

  1. Watch What You Eat

Travelers in their 60s are known to have more sensitive stomachs and some of them are on restricted diets. Therefore, it is necessary to watch what you eat while traveling the world. It is recommended to avoid spicy food, as well as dishes with high levels of cholesterol. In case you are taking any medication, make sure to talk to your doctor before the trip and find out if these medications interfere with certain foods.

  1. Pack Light

If you are a senior traveler in your 60s, make sure to pack light. This means taking fewer clothing items and fitting everything inside a roll-aboard suitcase. Instead of dragging your big bag through airports and having to carry heavy luggage to your hotel room, try to pack only the necessities and fit them all in two smaller bags.

  1. Accommodation

If you have mobility problems and find it difficult to climb stairs, request a room on the ground floor. Senior travelers should also book accommodation which is close to their arrival point. Staying in the city center comes with many advantages and provides easy access to major sightseeing attractions.

  1. Medications and Health

The best thing to do is take a full supply of all the necessary medication with you. There is a chance that a pharmacy in a foreign country doesn’t have the medication you are taking and running out of medication during your travel is definitely not something you want to happen. Travelers with hearing aids should bring extra batteries, as it can be quite difficult to find a specific size on other continents.

  1. Take Advantage of Senior Discounts

The great thing about being a senior traveler is that you are eligible for a variety of discounts. All you need to do is show your passport and ask if there are discounts available for senior citizens and tourists. From concert tickets to entry fees to sightseeing attractions, there are many places that offer senior discounts. If you are traveling to Europe, countries like Belgium, Austria, Germany, and Italy offer rail discounts to holders of a senior card which can be purchased at the local train station. If you wish to make some extra cash while traveling, you can always rent out your empty driveway as a parking spot.

To sum it all up, it’s relatively easy to travel the world when you’re old. Whether you are a senior citizen who is visiting his relatives in a city across the state or an elderly person who is planning to travel to a different continent and explore new things, these tips will definitely help you on your travels.

Sarah Kearns is a hard working mother of three daughters. She is a Senior Communications Manager for BizDb, an online resource with information about businesses in the UK. She loves cooking, reading history books and writing about green living.

1 Comment

Filed under Caregiving, The Purple Jacket

A Birthday Gift: Introducing TLO Travel and Tours.


Wherever you go, go with all your heart. Confucius

Richard would have celebrated  his 86th birthday today, (January 24th) and I think it is fitting to formally announce my new endeavor in his honor, TLO Travel and Tours!  For those who have been reading my blog since Richard was diagnosed with esophageal cancer will know that TLO was the fun-loving acronym I used in my blog posts to describe him when writing about our caregiving journey.  TLO simply means, “The Little One” …remember, Richard stood a foot shorter than me!   Richard loved to be called TLO, and Richard loved to travel.

wp-1454002775318.jpgAs I continue to advocate for family caregivers and for those like myself, whose caregiving journey has ended, I wanted to find an opportunity that celebrates our love, care and commitment in all shapes and forms in a way that is unique.   During our eleven years together, we spent time cruising in Europe and traveling by car and plane throughout our beautiful country.  TLO Travel and Tours is not only dedicated to Richard, but to all current, past and future caregivers and their caree’s. Traveling with your caree may not be as impossible as you might think.

I can imagine that many of my caregiving friends are thinking…”Travel with my caree…how can I do that?”  Well, let me tell you about a wonderful proAccessable travelgram called Special Needs At Sea.  I learned about Special Needs at Sea when Richard and I were booking a cruise in January of 2014. Special Needs At Sea can provide you will just about any durable medical product, from oxygen to a hoyer lift and most importantly, a scooter to help make transportation easy on any cruise ship for your caree.  Special Needs At Sea can deliver the product to your stateroom, your hotel room and even your home.  Special Needs At Sea is located in Fort Lauderdale and available in over 150 ports world-wide.  As a certified Accessible Travel Advocate, I can help arrange all your durable medical equipment needs with our friends at Special Needs At Sea.

What’s ahead for TLO Travel and Tours?  We have group cruises on the horizon, four international train tours planned through 2020 including, The Canadian Rockies, Italy, the United Kingdom, and a very special Passion Play tour in 2020.  Through my association with Travel Planners International, I have access to all the best rates for land, air and sea travel that you would see on any travel website.   As we grow into the travel business, TLO Travel and Tours will focus on group tours for current and former family caregivers, retreats to re-energize, while engaging organizations to bring their conferences and workshops aboard a cruise ship or a retreat center.

TLO Travel and Tours is pleased to announce our association with Hope Love Company. Hope Loves Company (HLC) is the only non-profit in the U.S. with the mission of providing educational and emotional support to children and young adults who had or have a loved one battl2017-01-23ing Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig’s. TLO Travel and Tours is the preferred Travel Company of Hope Loves Company as this wonderful organization travels to Iceland in the summer of 2017 for a terrific international camp for kids who care for their parents with ALS.  To learn more about Hope Loves Company, be sure to visit their website Hope Loves Company (HLC)  and listen to my podcast with Jodi O’Donnell-Ames, Executive Director of Hope Loves Company.   [/audio

Richard and I were fortunate to not only spend 11  wonderful years together., but to spend quite a bit of time traveling as well.  Whether it was sporting our Bow Ties on a formal night on our cruise, dining in the French Alps, or just hanging out together, we always found something to do together.  Making travel easy for those we love and care for is possible.

 This is an exciting time for me as I continue to grow my Whole Care Network brand with new radio shows, individual and corporate training events and now travel and tours.  Our new TLO Travel and Tours website is now live, but still in the development stages.  You can visit the travel website by simply clicking here!

When caregiving ends, its not surprising that we find our self lost and picking up the pieces of a life that was left behind.   That has been me for quite some.  I started to turn the corner with my grief about six months ago which means, I don’t miss him any less, I can now be present to myself and move on with my head held high.  Now, my next challenge is to step outside my comfort zone and get back to things that I am passionate about…travel and advocacy equals passion for me!

Welcome to TLO Travel and Tours, part of the Whole Care Network!  Feel free to contact me direct at chris@tlotravelandtours.com

2 Comments

Filed under Caregiving, The Purple Jacket

Caregiving and Traveling Can Happen Safely and Smoothly


Caregiving and Traveling Can Happen Safely and Smoothly

Tired of those trips to the doctor?  Looking for something different to do?  How about a cruise?  Yes, a Cruise! With proper planning, traveling with your Caree can be affordable, safe, comfortable and enjoyable as well.  Cruise ships offer handicapped accessible cabins and the ship staff is readily available to ensure that your trip is safe and secure.

Traveling with a wheel chair or scooter on a cruise ship is no problem! With Pride Mobility Go-Go Travel Mobility products, you are not land-locked! The Go-Go Scooters are designed to be lightweight and portable, so they are an ideal choice for travelers.

When making travel reservations, it is important to let the travel vendor know you are traveling with someone who has a special need.  Alerting the travel vendor will also help with pre-boarding. With proper preplanning, most if not all, travel vendors are happy to accommodate your special needs. Help is readily available!

When planning a trip, every Caregiver knows at a moment’s notice that the health of your Caree can change dramatically.  In order to ease the burden of planning and paying for a trip in advance, consider purchasing travel insurance. When choosing insurance, be sure to check the provider’s policy on pre-exiting conditions!  Many insurance providers will offer different levels of coverage.  For the Caregiver, I recommend a policy which clearly states, “Cancel For Any Reason.”  While these policies are going to be more expensive, in the long run, you will have peace of mind knowing you can be reimbursed for most, if not all of the cost of your trip if your Caree is too sick to travel.

When traveling by plane, try to avoid scheduling flights with connections. If you have to book a flight requiring a connection, leave a gap between connecting flights.  An extra hour or two relaxing in an airport will go a long way in securing the comfort of your Caree, rather than running from gate to gate to catch a last-minute connecting flight.

Don’t forget to pack your passport and all your important health documents!

Depending on the health of the person you are caring for, traveling is not out of the question.  Don’t get caught up in what you can’t do, rather focus on what you can do with Pride Mobility!

 

Leave a comment

Filed under Caregiving, The Purple Jacket

Delivering an Accessible World!


Are you a Caregiver?  Do you like to travel? Worried about taking your Caree on a trip?  Thinking about planning a cruise, land tour, or train ride? Well, we have the solution for you!  Tune in on Wednesday July 15th at 7:00 pm (EST) for another episode of  Healing Ties’ radio with our special guest, Andrew Garnett, President of Special Needs at Sea.  Andrew has taken his passion for the special needs community and has made travel more accessible for everyone!

To listen to ‘Healing Ties’ radio live at  7:00 pm on Wednesday, July 15th, simply click here! 

Can’t listen live?  NO WORRIES!  Healing Ties Radio is available on demand on iHeart Radio by clicking here!  

‘Healing Ties’ radio show is also syndicated in the UK on UK Health Radio by clicking here!

Andrew_Garnett_Healing_Ties_7_15_2015

_BowTieCover.medium

Leave a comment

Filed under Caregiving, The Purple Jacket

Join Us On Our Caregiving Cruise


BHC_fb

We’re less than 60 days away from our Caregiving Cruise and we’d love for you to join us.

We’re partnering with Denise Brown from Caregiving.com  and Jerry Dismarias from  Cruise, Inc on our first and annual Caregiving Cruise!

Caregiving_Logo_Small1Cruise2heart

We set sail on Monday, November 11 for a four-day cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Sky. We leave from Miami and then head for three stops in the Bahamas before returning to Miami on  Tuesday, November 14. 

Cruise-150x150

002 (2)

The Purple Jacket!

In addition to special pricing for our cruise,  you receive a $25 onboard credit which can be used toward excursions, drinks and gift shop purchases. The cost of the four-day cruise, which includes your accommodations, meals and our workshops, begins at $345 per person for an ocean view stateroom.  I am hoping to get into the famous Purple Jacket at our Cocktail reception!

 

You can book your Caregiving cruise vacation here.  

Flyer1

If you’d like, please feel free to bring your caree on our cruise. Our travel agent, Jerry Dismarias,  can assist with your special needs.  You can call Jerry direct at 877-632-5301 Traveling alone? No worries! Jerry can help you find you a roommate.

Our travel agent also can help arrange your airfare and transportation to our cruise. Because we understand that a Caregiving situation could mean a last-minute crisis, Jerry can tell you about travel insurance.

If you book your cruise before September 25th, Denise Brown from Caregiving.com will provide  one-year membership to CareGiving.com (a $49.95 value) so you can receive support before and after your cruise.  By joining  CareGiving.com, you’ll be able join our Caregiving Cruise group to talk about your plans for the cruise. We also share updates and details in the group about what we’re doing to make this cruise one to remember.

Book your Caregiving cruise vacation here.

No, this isn’t me or Denise, . But they sure look happy frolicking in the ocean in the Bahamas. We will, too!

No, this isn’t me or Denise, but they sure look happy frolicking in the ocean in the Bahamas. We will, too!

2 Comments

Filed under Caregiving, The Purple Jacket

Book Your Caregiving Cruise with a chance to win $100. Restaurant.com Gift Card


be-healthy

We set sail on November 11 for a four-day cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Sky. Join Denise Brown from Caregiving.com  and Chris MacLellan from The Purple Jacket.com’ and  ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’  for a get-a-way that also includes support for you in your Caregiving journey.

If you’d like, please feel free to bring your caree. Our travel agent can assist with your special needs. Traveling alone? No worries! Our travel agent can find you a roommate.

468x60Banner2logos

We have a special incentive for you!

If you book your  cruise by April 30th, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a $100 Restaurant.com gift card!   Already book your cruise? You’ll be entered, too!

To book your cruise, just click here:

Accessable travelOur travel agent, Jerry Dismarais is a Cruise Specialist and a  Certified Travel Accessible Cruise2Advocate and has been instrumental in planning our event.  Jerry can book all your travel plans:  feel free to call him directly at 877.632.5301.  

Feel free to contact me at ChrisMacLellan@thebowtieguy.net or Denise Brown at Denise@caregiving.com for further information on cruise events.

 To listen to my recent broadcast on ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ with Jerry and Denise, by simply click here!

 To book your cruise, just click here:

Contact our Jerry Dismarais direct at 877.632.5301

Flyer1

2 Comments

Filed under Caregiving, The Purple Jacket

Be A Healthy Caregiver on Blog Talk Radio


be-healthy

Caregivers: Join Us on a Caregiving Cruise! 

468x60Banner2logos

Cruise2On Tuesday April 2nd I welcome “Your Vacation Specialist” Jerry Dismarais from Cruises Inc to our show.  You can listen to the show by clicking here.

Jerry is a Certified Travel Accessible Advocate and has been instrumental in helping Denise Brown from Caregiving.com  and me, ‘The Bow Tie Guy’ plan our Caregiving Cruise for this coming November.  Concerned about bringing your Caree on a cruise, Jerry will  bring his Accessable travelknowledge and expertise on the  Cruise and Travel Industry and how they provide for those of us with a special needs in order to make traveling easy, safe, enjoyable and comforting!

Through our conversation with Jerry  his information and knowledge of the cruise and travel industry will help us all Be A Healthy Caregiver’  

To Listen to our show live on Tuesday at 1:00pm (est), simply click here.

cjmbtr (1)

Cannot listen live, NO Worries!  All my shows are archived so that you listen at a time that is convenient for you by clicking here.

For more information on our Cruise and how to book the Cruise, click here.

Flyer1

3 Comments

Filed under Caregiving, The Purple Jacket