Want to travel with a loved one who uses a wheelchair but wondering how to do so? Then scroll until the end of this article to find out.
A person who has serious medical issues with their legs is sometimes prescribed to use a wheelchair and mobility vans for everyday use in order to make travel possible.
To make their life easier, every day, they need the help of a caregiver. Most of the time, the caregiver is a family member. But sometimes, if the family members are unable to do so, they hire outside help like nurses to be the caregiver. This task of being a caregiver is underappreciated by those who don’t do it themselves as it takes a lot of time and energy. This is why many nurses use a caregiver roster app to help manage their time, allowing them to schedule their rota effectively and still provide high-quality care.

Most individuals generally don’t consider traveling with someone who uses a wheelchair until they have to do it themselves. It is not always easy to maneuver a wheelchair in the world. Traveling with someone who uses a wheelchair takes a bit more preplanning than usual, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t attempt.
If you’re thinking about going on the road as a caregiver, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. I have talked about those in detail throughout this article, so be sure to read until the end to find out all about them.

1. Suggestions Regarding Hotels
While making hotel reservations, especially for a luxurious destination like the best hotel, such as the Laguna Beach hotel, be sure to inquire about accessible rooms. This may require a phone booking because you may not be able to select it online in some cases.
Check with the hotel to ensure that their accessible room has the features you require. Also, be sure to pack your best wheelchair carrier because it will help you to get them up to the hotel room without much hassle. Sometimes, the word “accessible” does not mean the same thing to the hotel as it does to you – sometimes it simply means that there are grab bars in the bathroom!
There are some “accessible” rooms where a wheelchair or commode chair will not even fit through the bathroom door. Similarly, some “accessible” rooms lack a wheel-in shower. So be sure to ask them specifically about your requirements and don’t book the room unless you get proper confirmation.
If you’re particular about which side of the bed your loved one can access (transfers, applicable especially for people with hemiparesis, are often easier in one direction), ask and request a room that has that side’s bed.
Ask if you can enter the room with a wheelchair, but don’t assume that just because they say yes, it’s true! People who don’t have to navigate the world on wheels aren’t aware of all the potential roadblocks. A hotel that says, “Yes, you can get into the room with a wheelchair; there’s a ramp!” may have a ramp from the parking lot to the sidewalk, but it may have overlooked a four-inch step from the sidewalk into every room.
Be sure to ask ahead of time and try to get as much assurance as possible that it will work and that they will have all the items you require, but don’t be surprised if there is an issue that no one thought about or cared to mention. You can book accessible polskie hotele z jacuzzi.
Even if you’re not the kind who plans ahead of time and rather prefers to travel on the spur of the moment, it would be a really good idea to do so when traveling with someone in a wheelchair, particularly if you’ll be passing through rural or small-town areas with few hotel options.
At the very least, try to figure out which serviced apartments Piccadilly London have accessible rooms ahead of time. If you find yourself out of options, book a room at a hotel that fulfills most of your criteria so that you don’t end up somewhere without a bed where your loved one can sleep.

2. Suggestions Regarding Roads
Rest stops are unavoidable when driving long distances with someone who’s using a wheelchair. However, not all of them are accessible, just like hotels! If you’re going to make this trip frequently, use the first time to find accessible, convenient places to stop large enough for wheelchairs. Start looking for stops well ahead of when your loved one will need one. This will give you a buffer if it takes longer than expected to find an accessible location.
In some places, there will be family restrooms, which will be large enough to accommodate both the person in the wheelchair and the caregiver – these are ideal, so look for them!
If there are no family restrooms and only a men’s and a women’s, you may need to ask someone working there to block the bathroom so you can go in with your loved one without frightening anyone.
Alternatively, if you’re particular about which side is easier to transfer from, you may need to use the opposite gender restroom due to the way they’re set up. Be aware that all of these things are possible, and don’t be afraid to ask for the help of the people working there because they are almost always willing to do whatever they can to make things easier for you.
Then again, if you have a smaller commode chair than the wheelchair, try to find a way to bring it with you. Then, if you can’t find a wheelchair-accessible space or if the wheelchair-to-toilet transfer situation isn’t ideal, you can always transfer to a commode chair in the parking lot and wheel into the bathroom on that instead.

3. General Suggestions for Travel
Be sure to allow for plenty of extra time – all of the transferring and moving of the wheelchair, as well as maneuvering around obstacles, will cause each stop to take much longer than you expect. But to get things done faster, don’t overlook your loved one’s well-being! Because some people are unable to sit for long periods, that’s why a long road trip may need to be divided into smaller, more manageable days. Bring extra blankets if your loved one gets very cold quickly.
Make a packing list and add to it as you think of things you’ll need to remember during your trip. During that time, write down everything you will use daily. Don’t forget about the medical aspects! Here are a few ideas for you to consider:
Extras for every necessity – you never know what might happen.
If incontinence is a problem, keep a drop sheet and an underpad for the bed, as well as a plastic sheet to protect the bed on hand. Pack enough briefs for the trip and extras in case of an emergency.
Remember to pack tube feeding supplies if your loved one has a PEG tube (pump, enough bags to last the whole trip, enough cans of food that would last the whole trip, power cord, pump stand, syringes for flushing). Also, don’t forget to bring your loved one’s medications.
When you’re not in your usual routine, it’s easy to forget that it’s time to take medications, so set the alarm on your phone to ensure that the meds don’t go unnoticed. You may also bring a neck cushion with you to make your partner comfortable while driving; tiny travel cushions can be used to support feet or rest arms.
If you can, carry a toilet chair and a bucket; keep in mind that if someone is ill, has had a stroke, or has certain other medical conditions, they may not be able to ride in a car as they used to. Moreover, cleaning a bucket is a lot more pleasant than cleaning a car’s carpet! Isn’t It?

Also, don`t forget to pack water and snacks if the person you’re caring for follows a strict diet. Don’t forget the thickener if you’re looking after a stroke patient who requires thickened liquids. And you’ll pack day-to-day therapy items without my suggestion.
Always remember that accidents can happen anywhere and anytime, especially on the road, so be prepared! Maintain an up-to-date list of your loved one’s medications (including frequency and dosages), any important medical documents, contact information for your primary care physician and hospital, and always keep an eye out for hospital signs on the road in case you need one!
You could even do some research ahead of time and mark the locations you’ll visit on your map to get a general idea of where the medical resources are. You should not rely on your phone or internet at the given moment of the accident.

Keep a road map in your car so that you can be familiar with all of your car’s accessories and how to use them like jack, owner’s manual, spare tire, etc. Everyone should know where these things are, but when you have someone else in your care and the added stress of being in charge of so many things, it will be much tougher when you need to use them. As a result, simply being prepared will be more beneficial in this situation.
Also, begin with short trips. If you know you’ll be taking a long trip in the future, consider giving travel a try first on a weekend getaway close to home. This way, you can learn about things you may have forgotten or overlooked without having to travel across the country.
Lastly, I would say, traveling with someone in a wheelchair is not difficult at all if you plan ahead of time and are perfectly prepared. If you and your loved one enjoy traveling, it’s well worth the extra effort just to get out of the house and continue doing things you both enjoy! I hope this article will assist and encourage you to do so. Good Luck!
Passionate about simplifying workforce management. Creator of Fairtime, a powerful timesheet software that automates Modern Award compliance, tracks work hours, and enhances payroll accuracy. Committed to helping businesses thrive through efficient, transparent, and compliant processes.