When travel means crossing time zones, taking medication can be troublesome. Should the medication be taken at 8:00 am in the new time zone or when it's 8:00 am in the home time zone? What about missed doses? With travel delays, it's easy to forget if pills were taken. Here are tips from Senior Helpers Lexington for keeping medications on schedule during the holidays.
Local Travel
Consider using a pill case for daily medications during the holidays. Even if it's travel across Georgetown, days are more hectic, and schedule changes can disrupt medication routines. Using a pill case allows people to take medications with them to ensure they are taken at the correct time.
Air Travel
Most people think of air travel when considering going somewhere for the holidays. Whether it's a domestic or international flight, travelers need to keep the following in mind.
Put Medication in Carry-ons
Checked bags can be delayed or lost, so it's wise to keep medications in carry-on bags. The TSA provides guidelines for traveling with medications. Pills no longer need to be in prescription bottles, and liquid medication can be in containers larger than 3.4 ounces. If X-raying can damage medication, inform the first TSA agent in the security line. The special handling will take more time, so allow enough time to make a flight.
Know the Laws
International travel may require that medications remain in their original packaging. It's best to check with the airline or the US State Department for information on international travel. Some states may also require medication to remain in its original containers. Check with the state's website for details.
If the medication requires special equipment such as syringes, the TSA recommends presenting the medication with its original label. Be sure to check applicable laws, as some locations may have different guidelines. The TSA allows such devices as long as they are told in advance.
Bus or Rail Travel
If traveling by rail or bus, use the same guidelines as for air travel. The limitations will be less restrictive; however, it doesn't hurt to be well-prepared. Just make sure all medication is readily accessible and properly stored.
Organize Medications for Travel
Pill cases are the best way to organize medications while on travel. The cases can be separated into days of the week. They can also be divided by the time of day. For example, a pill case may have seven compartments to keep all pills for a given week -- one for each day. Alternatively, a case may have multiple compartments for each day so that medication can be organized by time of day.
Some pill cases allow users to pull out a day's worth of pills to take along on a short or one-day trip. Keeping medications organized, whether at home or on travel, ensures that they are taken on time and in the correct dosage.
Organize Documents
Before leaving on travel, document medical history that requires medications. Identify which medications are for what conditions and explain the dosage and frequency. Keep the information with medicines. In case of an emergency, healthcare professionals will have critical information to help with treatment.
Senior Helpers is Here For You!
You don’t necessarily have to travel alone or figure out all these things by yourself. Senior Helpers of Lexington, including Nicholasville and Shelbyville, can help! If you need in-home care or companion care, contact us. We have experienced staff to help with basic living activities as well as working with those suffering from Alzheimer's.