Your Medical e-Magazine

Carrying luggage, changing planes or walking long distances might keep you from traveling if you have arthritis.However, there’s good news: Today it’s easier to travel with arthritis than ever before. Laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act make travel more accessible for people who need special help. Tours and vacation packages for people with arthritis are also available.

Plan your trip

To begin, be realistic about your capabilities. Rock climbing might not be the best vacation choice. A mountain-top helicopter excursion, though, could be enjoyable. Choose a vacation that allows flexibility. Consider how you’ll spend a day alone if your travel companions plan strenuous activities or extensive sightseeing. Remember that frequent rest periods may be the most important ingredient for a satisfying trip.Read travel guides, including those geared toward people with disabilities. An example is “Fodor’s Great American Vacations for Travelers With Disabilities.”Talk to people with arthritis who’ve taken trips similar to the one you’re considering. Also include your doctor in your trip planning.“Your physician may not get involved in planning your itinerary, but he or she can review some preventive and self-help procedures. One of the first things to remember is to pace yourself. If you’re accustomed to a rest period during the day, schedule this into your itinerary. If you overdo it and your arthritis flares, your trip may not be as enjoyable.A physician also can offer advice about what to do if inflammatory arthritis flares and the importance of sun protection — especially for people with lupus.“In addition, your physician can review your medications and your immunizations (especially for foreign travel), and can provide a letter summarizing your medical history and medication needs. “He or she can also offer advice on basic pain relief approaches, such as using a cane (folding ones are available for travel), comfortable walking shoes, plastic bags to make an ice pack, wheeled luggage, fanny packs, back packs or bags with straps that can be worn across the chest rather than slung off the shoulder, requesting handicapped rooms and letting the airline know to have a wheelchair or electric cart available.”

Professional help

Many people rely on travel agents and tour operators for trip planning. Tour operators often combine several travel components — such as airfare, hotels and ground transportation — into one package. That package may cost less than booking all the components separately.To select a travel agent, ask friends and relatives for referrals. You also can call travel agencies and ask about their experience in arranging trips for travelers with arthritis.Some travelers steer clear of group tours, but many people with arthritis find these convenient and enjoyable. For the most part, the hotel arrangements are handled for you — so are your bags, meals and transportation. Also talk to your agent about trip insurance (see box in right column).

Appropriate accommodations

Where you sleep at night can make or break a trip. Be sure to specify what you require, and do so well in advance. Get written confirmation of any special arrangements.

You may want to ask:

• How close you’ll be to the convention center, restaurant, pool or beach
• Where the elevators are located
• Whether bathrooms have handrails
• Whether the hotel shuttle accommodates someone with physical limitations
• Whether the doors and faucets have levers instead of hard-to-grasp knobs
• Whether laundry and room services are available
• Whether the hotel has handicapped parking, fire exits and access ramps
• Whether porters and taxicabs will be available where you’ll need them
• Whether the hotel offers special amenities and services, such as tours in accessible vans, heating pads for those unexpected flare-ups and in-house whirlpools

Remember that you’re not limited to the major hotel chains. An increasing number of bed-and-breakfasts, inns and other alternative accommodations now host travelers with disabilities.

Pack light

Remember to pack light — a good rule for any traveler. Use lightweight luggage with wheels or shoulder straps that can be placed across the chest to better distribute the weight. Make room for any aids you use daily, such as a raised toilet seat, long-handled reachers, special pillows or a heating pad. If you have electrical appliances or aids and are traveling to a foreign country, you may need to pack a special plug or voltage adapter. Always check the climate for your destination to decide what type of clothing will be most appropriate. Anything that can be layered lets you adapt easily to weather changes. Pack loose clothing that allows maximal freedom of movement. For warm weather destinations, throw in sunscreen, sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat. Be sure to take comfortable shoes.Ask porters and taxicab drivers to carry your luggage whenever possible. At the airport, check your bags at the curb whenever possible. Carry small bills for tipping people who assist you.

Extra medication

When packing medications, take more than enough to last through your trip and carry them in their original, labeled containers. It’s best to transport medicines in carry-on luggage in case you’re separated from your checked bags, although some travelers pack duplicates in their luggage.If you need medications kept cool, ask train or airline personnel to put them in a refrigerator. You may prefer to carry medications in a vacuum flask or similar container.

Along with your medications, bring:

• Copies of your prescriptions
• Your doctor’s name and telephone and fax numbers
• A summary of your medical history
• A list of your medications

Leave a copy of this information at home with a friend or relative. If you have medical problems in addition to arthritis, also consider wearing a medical alert bracelet or necklace.

Modes of transportation

Planes, trains, and automobiles — and buses and ships — each offer distinct advantages and occasional challenges for travelers with disabilities. Explore the options to find the best mode for you.Traveling by air — With the Air Carrier Access Act, airlines and terminals in the United States became far friendlier for people with arthritis. The rules offer benefits — including accessible terminal parking, accessible rest rooms and more time for boarding. However, it’s still a good idea to allow extra time for getting through the airport. When you make airline reservations, state your special needs. Consider your diet and preferences for seating. Also ask about storage capacity for medical equipment. Weekdays are generally less congested for airlines, making travel easier to negotiate. Ask which flights will be less crowded. Request an airport wheelchair or other terminal transport if you need it. Also check your luggage through to your final destination. When you must change planes, find out whether you also need to change terminals. If so, ask if a shuttle between them is accessible.Traveling by train — Trains generally provide an ideal transportation option. In the United States, Amtrak offers special assistance and reduced fares for passengers with disabilities.When making Amtrak reservations, ask for the special services desk. You can request accessible seating, assisted boarding and special meals. Also ask about sleeping accommodations. Give at least 24 hours’ notice for special arrangements.In addition, you can ask about complementary porter (”red cap”) service at major stations. Tipping is up to you.Traveling by bus — Bus travel also became easier during the 1990s. More cities modified their terminals to add convenient restrooms, wider doorways and handrails.Most bus aisles, however, are still not wide enough for wheelchairs. If you use a wheelchair or have trouble using stairs, make arrangements with customer service. Ask for help in getting on and off the bus.Because bus travel is often slower, consider scheduling trips during mid-week when fewer people travel. Also avoid trips with many transfers.Traveling by car — Among forms of transportation, traveling by car allows the most freedom. You can stop whenever you want. You have more room to stretch out. And, you can take along anything that will fit in your car.If you’re traveling by car and you have a handicapped parking permit, don’t forget to bring it.Be sure to stop often to get out, stretch and move around. Keep medications, snacks, maps, emergency kit and first aid supplies in the car. Consider taking along a cellular phone. Cell phones may not work in all locations, but they are usually fine in urban areas. You can usually rent a cell phone at an overseas destination.When renting a car, ask for amenities that will make driving more comfortable, such as:

• Power steering
• Power brakes and windows
• Cruise control
• Lift-up door handles
• Power side-view mirrors on both sides
• An easily reachable ignition

To get a car with special features, reserve your vehicle 4 weeks to 6 weeks in advance. Also make hotel or motel reservations in advance. Or, stop early enough to find a place to stay.Traveling by ship — You may find cruise travel particularly relaxing. Substantial design changes have been made to ships in recent years. Passageways, doorways and elevators are often wider. Accessible staterooms for wheelchair travelers have been added. Special diets and exercise plans can be accommodated, too.Before booking with a particular cruise line, however, ask plenty of questions about the ship’s design and accessibility. If you anticipate difficulty in embarking or disembarking, book a cruise with fewer stops. Or plan to stay on board and soak up the ship’s ambience while others go ashore.

Find out more

When planning trips, turn to other Internet resources for additional help. Some good starting points:Access-Able Travel Source provides a database of services, stories and links for older people and passengers with disabilities. You’ll also find links for locating a travel agent.Disability Travel and Recreation Resources offers a comprehensive list of links — everything from tour companies to cruise lines.
Global Access is an online magazine geared to travelers with disabilities. Look for links to hotel chains and other online travel magazines.No matter where you’re headed, whether it’s New England or New Zealand, make all reasonable preparations to ensure your health and well-being. When you’ve done your homework, you can relax and have fun.

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