Advice for Caregivers: Everything You Need to Know about Travel

Are you a caregiver?

More and more people who aren’t health care professionals provide care for a loved one, such as a sick spouse or partner, an aging relative or friend, or disabled child. More often than not, caregivers don’t take care of themselves.

When you don’t take care of yourself, you can suffer from stress and burnout. If this happens, who will care for your loved one if you can’t?

It’s also okay to admit that you may need a vacation. Better yet – you and the person you’re caring for may be able to travel together. Wouldn’t that be nice? Can you imagine taking an ocean cruise or a trip to Disney World®‎?

Read on to learn more about travel for the caregiver. You’ll be one step close to traveling and rejuvenating your mind, body, and spirit.

What You Ought to Know about Travel for the Caregiver

It’s Important

When you fly, you’re told to put your oxygen mask on first and then assist the person next you. It’s no different for a caregiver. If you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to care for your spouse or partner, relative, friend, or child. Going away for a weekend can do wonders for your mental and physical health. Imagine staying in a charming cabin at a resort and going for a hike on a beautiful mountain. A simple activity like communing with nature can boost your mood and spirit. You’ll feel revitalized and ready to resume your caregiving responsibilities.

It’s Possible

Travel doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. It also doesn’t have to cost you a lot of time. You can get away for a weekend or one week. You may even be able to travel with the person you care for, depending on their diagnosis and doctor’s recommendation. If you receive the okay to travel, you could take a Caribbean cruise. Wouldn’t it be nice to visit the Bahamas or the British or U.S. Virgin Islands? Many ships are accommodating. The only thing you need to decide is where you’d like to go and what you’d like to experience.

A Testimony for Travel for the Caregiver

Meet Chris MacLellan who’s affectionately known as “The Bow Tie Guy” in many caregiving circles. Chris knows and understands what a caregiver goes through because his partner was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2011. Out of this experience, Chris became an advocate for caregivers and their “caree” (person a caregiver cares for). He created The Purple Jacket blog and Healing Ties™ radio show.

Recently, Chris started the website, Travel with The Bow Tie Guy, which is dedicated to showing caregivers how they can travel.

Many believe they can’t travel with their “caree” but that’s simply not true. Chris said, “It’s not as difficult for caregivers to travel as they may think it would be. With modern technology and what’s available on ships today, caregivers can travel with their “caree” – it can be an enjoyable trip for both of them. Oxygen is readily available on ships. Motorized wheelchairs are readily available. There are cabins that are handicapped accessible. Caregivers can take their “caree” on a trip they can both enjoy. They can be pampered in ways that beats the day-to-day routine that you have at home.”

The main reason why caregivers don’t travel is fear of the unknown. But the truth is you can go on a vacation and enjoy yourself – it can be therapeutic. You will feel refreshed!

Finally, think about when your caregiving is finished. What do you do?

“When my caregiving was done, people asked, “What are your hobbies?” I stopped and thought about that and started bowling again. You have to find a way to get back to life! Travel is another avenue that can be beneficial for those who are currently caregiving and then coming out of caregiving,” said Chris.

Are You a Caregiver Who’s Ready to Travel?

You realize there’s nothing wrong with self-care for caregivers, right? Think about the emotional, mental and physical demands you face during and after caregiving. You’re vulnerable to health problems, from stress to a possible hospital stay.

Make taking care of the caregiver a priority! Contact your Travel Planners International agent today and ask about travel for the caregiver. You and your “caree” can take a vacation and have a wonderful experience.