THE COPD CAREGIVER GUIDE: On the Road with COPD
The secrets to traveling with someone who has COPD
BY:MARGARET FARLEY STEELE
Careful planning is the key to arranging a hassle-free getaway for someone with COPD. “The overarching goal is to allow people with COPD to do as much as possible,” says James K. Stoller, MD, MS, head of the respiratory therapy section of the department of pulmonary, allergy and critical-care medicine at the Cleveland Clinic. For example, where you go can change one’s needs. Going to a high-altitude locale versus a sea-level resort would demand different supplemental oxygen requirements, for instance, so you should discuss your intended locale and method of travel with your loved one’s physician when planning a trip.
Much depends on the stage of illness. But, in general, doctors recommend the following travel tips:
Get medical clearance. Discuss the trip conditions with your physician and obtain a referral to a doctor at your destination.
Leave nothing to chance. “Think through a day, exactly what you’re going to do and what you’ll need,” says Dr. Edelman, of SUNY-Stony Brook and the American Lung Association. “Then find out if those things will be available.”
Book accommodations in smoke-free hotels. If you can’t find a fully smoke-free hotel at your destination, request a smoke-free floor or room.
Carry an abbreviated medical history. Have with you a doctor’s prescription for oxygen and required medicines. Include a list of all medications and the phone numbers for your loved one’s doctor, respiratory therapist and oxygen supplier.
Pack enough medication. Make sure to have a sufficient supply for the entire trip in carry-on luggage.
Seek locations that are low in allergens.
Arrange for supplemental oxygen. If your loved one with COPD requires an oxygen supply, arrange for refills through your home oxygen provider. Ask your oxygen provider about different types of oxygen delivery, as it might be possible to use a liquid-oxygen reservoir system or a portable oxygen concentrator that generates oxygen from the environment, says Dr. Stoller.
Know how to use supplemental oxygen for different travel methods:
-If driving, keep the oxygen canister upright and crack a window for ventilation.
-If flying, contact the airline several weeks in advance to review their regulations and fees; certain portable oxygen compressors are permitted onboard, but your filled oxygen tanks are not. Many airlines will supply supplemental oxygen for a fee and ship your empty tanks as cargo. Supplemental oxygen will be needed within the airport, so try to book a nonstop flight. And, Dr. Stoller notes, make sure the liter flow is adequate since, when flying, it may be necessary to increase the flow rate by one to two liters a minute.
-If you’ll be on a cruise ship, you’ll probably need to make your own arrangements for oxygen and other medical supplies. It’s advisable to check with the cruise line four to six weeks in advance.
For additional information regarding traveling with oxygen, visit www.airlineoxygencouncil.org, www.homeoxygen.org and www.breathineasy.com.
Also check out these articles from The COPD Caregiver Guide: