If you are traveling for medical care, including caretakers in your medical travel plan can be smart. Caretakers, such as friends, family members, or medical professionals, can help you with everything from packing to navigating airports and hospitals.
Of course, this is easier to do for scheduled medical travel, such as to a medical center of excellence in the United States or overseas for medical tourism. But if you require emergency medical care while away from home, your caretaker may need to be any available travel partner.
Your caretaker can play several important roles, including advocating for your needs and providing physical and emotional support. They also may be able to assist with basic health care and hygiene needs, such as changing bandages, administering medicines, or helping you bathe.
Here are things to consider when including caretakers in medical travel planning:
Does your medical travel partner have a flexible schedule? Recovery from medical procedures, whether planned or unplanned, can take longer than expected. Ask your caretaker how much time they can take away from work and family obligations.
Does your potential caretaker enjoy traveling? Ideally, you would want a caretaker who is used to the ups and downs inherent in travel, including flight delays, lengthy airport check-in procedures, and hotel cancellations.
Can your medical travel partner remain calm in stressful situations? Traveling and medical procedures are both inherently stressful. You want to choose a caretaker who handles stress well and stays level-headed when things don't go as planned.
Is your caretaker willing to speak up and advocate for you? You want to be sure that your caretaker is willing to speak to doctors and other medical professionals if you cannot communicate yourself. Also, be sure to give your caretaker printed copies of relevant documents such as your medical power of attorney and living will. That way, your caretaker will be clear on your wishes and can better communicate them.
Is your caretaker able to help with physical tasks such as assistance with walking and showering? Ask your caretaker if he or she has the strength to help you stand, sit, and manage other physical tasks. Your mobility may be limited immediately after your medical procedure or while traveling home.
Will your caretaker be comfortable if you need minor medical assistance? Some people can't stomach the sight of sutures or blood. Others aren't bothered at all. If possible, talk to your physician about what to expect, post-procedure, and communicate that information completely and honestly to your potential caregiver. If they aren't comfortable providing minor care or don't want to be responsible for it, you may want to choose someone else.
Medical Escort Services from SentinelMED, an Air Medical Transport Service
If you require a high level of care and support to travel after a medical procedure, a medical escort may be a good option to meet your needs. The medical escorts who work for SentinelMED are physicians, physician assistants, nurses, and paramedics trained or experienced in emergency and critical care medicine. They are matched to individuals according to their specific medical, cultural, native language, or religious needs.
In addition to arranging medical escort services, SentinelMED offers medical repatriation and evacuation services for people with more serious, immediate, or complicated medical concerns. In many cases, transport can be arranged on commercial airlines using medical escorts, a cost-effective alternative to air ambulance services.
SentinelMED understands the complexity of delivering exceptional care to patients who need assistance to travel long distances safely and comfortably. Please contact us to learn more about the services that SentinelMED offers or its staff.
