Plan ahead for a stress-free break

It’s best to plan well in advance if you are travelling with someone who is less able. Rooms for disabled people on cruises and in hotels are often booked months in advance. It’s also wise to check reviews of your chosen venue before you book a holiday, as sometimes facilities described as suitable for disabled people are anything but suitable! Holiday centres run in the UK by the charity Revitalise specialise in giving both carers and cared-for people a break. The centres have 24-hour on-call nursing care with fully accessible rooms. Revitalise is always looking for volunteers to support people at its holiday centres. If you are looking for a holiday of any kind for a less able person, Disabledholidays.com can help. There are hundreds of holidays available, both in the UK and abroad. Wherever you are travelling, it’s vital to get travel insurance. Age UK has detailed information about travel insurance for people with medical problems and for the over-50s. Travel insurance for people with pre-existing medical problems is different from standard travel insurance, which usually covers only medical emergencies. If you take out a travel insurance policy and don’t declare the medical conditions you have, or have had, it’s likely that the provider won’t pay out should something happen while you are away. Pre-existing insurance plans can cover you if your condition gets worse, or if you have to cancel your holiday through ill-health. Generally, you should declare anything you have had treatment for in the last five years. Age UK travel insurance has no upper age limit and provides cover for pre-existing medical conditions where possible. Holiday Extras insurance also cover pre-existing conditons – see page 96. It is essential that you are honest about your medical condition. If you have proper cover for all eventualities, you will be able to relax and enjoy your holiday. Revitalise – for holidays or volunteering opportunities) call 0333 256 3144 or visit www.revitalise.com Disabledholidays.com – call 0161 804 9898 For an online directory of UK holidays, visit www. disabilityholidaysguide.com For travel insurance for people with pre-existing conditions – visit www. ageuk.org, call 0800 055 6112; or Holiday Extras, www.holidayextras.co.uk/ you92, call 0800 093 1900