Carers in touch
The only magazine with dedicated pages offering advice and support to the UK’s six million carers
Now is the time when many of us turn our thoughts towards holidays. If we are fit and healthy, it’s easy to choose a holiday destination, but if you have mobility issues, live alone or are a carer, there’s so much more to think about.
If you, or the person you care for, has health issues, it’s important to thoroughly research the venue to make sure that facilities are suitable.
Many specialist websites offer tailormade holidays for less-able people and it’s possible to hire specialist equipment in many holiday resorts. Help is available at airports and on trains but it is essential to book in advance. Planning ahead is the key to a relaxing break.
Booking a holiday alone for the first time after losing a loved one can be very daunting, but many people do travel alone and enjoy it.
Whatever your situation, there is support out there – you just need to take that first step
Cruises are popular with single travellers as they offer a feeling of security, with baggage taken directly to your cabin and there is always the opportunity to sit with other single travellers at mealtimes if you wish.
✔ Age UK’s Silver Travel Advisor is a free service which offers advice for the over-50s. The award-winning travel reviews website offers a great variety of holidays whether you’re a solo traveller or going with a friend. 01753 740169/ www.silvertraveladvisor.com ✔ Enable Holidays has a wide selection of holidays for wheelchair users, people with limited mobility or slow walkers. They offer group holidays and tours to exotic places, plus accessible villas, hotels and apartments. 0871 222 4939/ www.enableholidays.com
✔ Revitalise holidays has three hotels in Essex, Southport and Southampton and offers the perfect solution for both carers and the cared for. The centres have qualified carers on-site so the carer can have a break too. Many of the breaks are tailored to certain types of condition, including special weeks for people with dementia. 0303 303 0145/ www.revitalise.org.uk ✔ Find a tailor-made holiday that takes your mobility into account with Limitless Travel. It offers coach tours in vehicles with wheelchair lifts, fully qualified care staff and specially adapted rooms. 0800 711 7232/www.limitlesstravel.org
✔ Holidays can be difficult for people living with dementia, but small group supported holidays are available with Dementia Adventure. 01245 237548/ www.dementiaadventure.co.uk
✔ Tourism for All has a website dedicated to making travel accessible to everyone. Its website www.tourismforall. co.uk has details of the most accessible places to visit and stay in the UK.
✔ Carers needing a respite break should contact their local social services department for an assessment of their needs. The charity, Turn2us (www. turn2us.org.uk), can also help to find grants for people who need respite care but can’t afford it.