Have arthritis will (still) travel

With spring approaching, your thoughts are probably turning to vacation plans. Wouldn’t it be great to rent a cottage on the lake? Or take that trip to the islands you’ve been dreaming about? You can just picture yourself there. Then you stop to think about getting there. All of a sudden, this idea isn’t so much fun anymore.

Traveling with arthritis isn’t easy. But whether you’re going by plane, train, or car, you can take steps to remove the stress from your next trip and get where you’re going ready for relaxation and good times.

Tips for traveling
Plan in advance. It’s not a good idea to go for spontaneity with a last-minute vacation. Travel experts recommend making plans four to six months in advance. That gives you time to find out just what accommodations and activities are offered at your destination.

Be realistic about what you can do. “This is an important element of a successful trip,” says Jani Nayar, executive coordinator of the Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality (SATH). “I suffer from pain in my knees and back that limits what I can do. So I have to be honest with myself. If I’m going to Kilimanjaro, I may be able to get to base camp, but I’m not going to get to the top. Knowing that, I can be realistic about my plans.”

Make time for rest and relaxation. Go-go-go vacations are tough on anyone, but they’re especially draining when you have arthritis. Instead of setting up a schedule of nonstop activities, try alternating active periods with restful ones. And make sure to bring something relaxing to do if you’ll be sitting out some activities.

Choose a hotel that can accommodate your needs. Many hotels these days have specially designed rooms for people with disabilities, and they’re available at no extra charge. Depending on your needs, call ahead to ask about arthritis-friendly accommodations, like a room close to an elevator, doors with levers instead of knobs, handrails near toilets and tubs, and handicapped parking.

Make it easy on yourself. “If you know that you tire easily but you’re going on a trip where you’ll want to walk around a lot, think about renting a scooter,” suggests Nayar.

Pack your medications properly. Keep your medications with you at all times, advises Nayar. Don’t put them in any piece of luggage that will be separated from you.

Don’t struggle with luggage. Think about using a luggage-shipping service, recommends Nayar. “They’ll come and pick up your luggage at your home, and they’ll ship it so that it’s at your destination when you get there,” she reports.

Take the travel insurance. Some vacation packages offer insurance policies that will refund your money should you become ill or suffer some other sort of emergency before or during your trip. Many policies also provide payment for medical services if you need them.

Make sure you have a medical contact at your destination. Let your doctor know where you’re going. He or she can help you find a doctor at your destination, should the need arise.