Travel Plans

Supporting your clients to independently plan a holiday

Now that travel is back on the cards for most of us it is understandable that most people are keen to get some form of holiday booked. It has been a long couple of years and many of your clients may be feeling the need to spread their wings and bask in a change of scenery. A break away from the usual everyday routine can do so much for a person’s emotional wellbeing. The last two years have been hard on everyone, but for many people living with disability or illness it has been like living with a dark cloud over their heads; constantly worrying about COVID-safe practices, terrified they may contract the virus, and not knowing how it will affect their health. These feelings do not just go away overnight because the government decides there is no need for masks. The anxiety about emerging back into a world where everyone is interacting as they were in 2019, can be overwhelming for some people, but as occupational therapists you are ideally placed to support your clients if they want to look at booking a trip away. Whether that be a UK break or venturing further afield, the whole process of planning and booking a holiday can be used as part of a therapeutic practice with many clients. Everything that goes into planning a holiday can be looked at in a therapeutic manner, that can help build confidence, encourage independence, relieve anxiety, and improve mental wellbeing. We have highlighted many of the processes that go into planning a trip and covered many of the areas that will need to be considered to ensure a safe and hassle-free trip.

DESTINATION DECISIONS

First off, the destination needs to be decided. Is it a staycation or do they want to venture further afield? Use this opportunity to discuss where they would like to go, find out if there is anywhere they have fond memories of and

would like to revisit. Familiarity can be comforting if they are nervous about travelling, but they may be looking for new experiences. Transport is another factor that needs to be considered, whether they are comfortable taking public transport or would rather use their own car to travel. If they are looking to travel abroad, research may need to be done into the assistance offered at airports and on flights. RESEARCH AND BOOKING

This is a great opportunity to help clients become familiar with using the internet and showing them how to safely enquire and book things online. There are many people who are still not confident in using the internet to look up information, this can be used as a chance to help guide them through some basic tasks and highlight some of the dangers to look out for. Understandably many people still do not like to book online, they prefer to talk to someone over the phone for clarification and reassurance, you can show them how to find the contact details on websites so that they can call and discuss requirements over the phone. Opening up the ability to simply allow them to see what is out there by using the internet for research and to see images of the accommodation available could open up a whole new world to them and build their confidence in using technology. ACCESSIBILITY

Discussing physical accessibility needs with your client is very important. The last thing they want is to arrive at an inaccessible location for their holiday. Talk through all the things they will need to consider in terms of what they require, for example, they may need a hoist in the bedroom, wheelchair access throughout, profiling beds, a wetroom or other equipment. Sit with your client and make a list of all the things they need, this can act as a tick list whenever they enquire about accommodation, helping them to independently be able to assess whether the accommodation will cater for their needs. At the same time, it is worth making a list of all the things they want for their holiday. They may want somewhere dog-friendly, they may want to ensure that there are restaurants onsite or access to a garden area to sit outside, and local accessible attractions may also be a high priority. This can be another list that will help your client pin down the perfect getaway. COVID-SAFE

COVID has not disappeared, it is still very much in circulation, and this can be a great worry for many people living with adverse health conditions. Talk to your client about ways that they can keep themselves safe, this may be through wearing a mask in public spaces, carrying hand sanitiser with them, looking at self-catering options to ensure that they have their own space. It is also worth checking websites for any COVID-safe messages that the accommodation adhere to and asking about extra cleaning standards that may be in place. Once the trip is booked and the dates are in the diary, it is time to start getting organised. Travel plans and timings, whether that be for flights, trains, buses or driving, must be considered in advance to ensure everything goes smoothly. Packing should also be organised ahead of time to ensure nothing is forgotten, a list can come in very handy here, especially for the priority items. Consider creating a list for important items like passports, medication, spare batteries for medical devices, a pump for wheelchair tyres, money, credit cards and other necessary items, this will help ensure nothing is left behind. Once this is all done, everyone can sit back and soak in the anticipation of going on holiday. It can be uplifting having something to look forward to and a refreshing break will always do wonders for a person’s wellbeing, especially if it all goes smoothly.

The last thing they want is to arrive at an inaccessible location for their holiday

FREE TRAINING DAYS AT

6-7 July, NEC, Birmingham

The CPD accredited seminar agenda for Naidex is now live! Head on over to naidex.co.uk to view the agenda. As well as sessions from RCOT, and Tanni Grey-Thompson, we have highlighted some sessions throughout the two days for you. TRAINING TO TAKE RISKS, DARING TO LIVE LIFE

When: Wed 6 July Time: 15.30 Where: Accessibility Summit As an occupational therapist and trainer, Mike has noticed a conflict between the wish of disabled people to live their lives to their fullest potential versus the concern of health, social care, and education practitioners to ensure that, as professionals, they are legally compliant and not at risk of litigation. In this interactive seminar, Mike will explore with the audience how a balance can be achieved between these apparently different perspectives so that both parties are satisfied with the outcome.

A CHEAT’S GUIDE TO A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP

When: Thurs 7 July Time: 14.45 Where: Accessibility Summit James Leinhardt is a sleep posture expert. He has designed class-one medical devices to manage the sleep posture of clients suffering with complex neurological illness and injury. He works with NHS Trusts and social care throughout the UK and his night-time system has reached clients as far as the Middle East and Australia.

ASSISTANCE DOGS: BENEFIT PEOPLE, CARERS, AND BUDGETS

When: Wed 6 July Time: 11.45 Where: Accessibility Summit This seminar from Bethann Siviter will look at the types of support dogs currently can provide, the paths to having an assistance dog, the legal rights of assistance dogs and their handlers, the benefits assistance dogs provide for disabled people and their carers/families, and the benefits to the health and social care system. It will include helping professionals and disabled people consider when an assistance dog might be an appropriate intervention, as well as the responsibilities and requirements inherent to having an assistance dog. All of the sessions at Naidex are CPD accredited, so not only is the event informative and educational, but will also contribute to your professional development, for free! Register your free ticket at naidex.co.uk or scan the QR code with your mobile device.