Travel preparation is of upmost importance for a successful
trip. Here are some of the details that
we have found help our travel experience. Prior to travel, staff produced books outlining the schedule
and activities that individuals will experience during their travel are given
to the individuals participating. These
books can be print, electronic or both and should use both pictures and words
to ensure that the schedule is understood and there are as few surprises as
possible. For ideas, watch the video
produced by Carol Grey at https://carolgraysocialstories.com/social-stories/what-is-it/
. I like to begin with the air travel,
cover what staff will be traveling with the individual, outline where the
individual will eat, sleep and activities they will participate in daily. Then explain the flight home and end with a
picture of the individual’s house they will return to after the trip.
There should be a master binder that is with a
staff person on the trip containing:
· copies of all individual’s identification,
· copies of ISP pages outlining medication
administration instructions and required supervision levels,
· copies or originals of emergency medical
authorizations and
·confirmation information for lodging, ground
transportation, air transportation and any other reservations.
All staff should be
given an itinerary outlining the entire trip and staff schedule indicating what
staff will be staffing what individual for each hour of the trip. Families and staff should be sent a packing
list prior to the trip to ensure each individual has what they need for the
trip as well as an emergency medical form and Release of Liability.
Involving the nurse in travel planning is important because
there will be individuals who do not receive medication administration from
staff while at home but will need to receive medication administration from
staff on the trip. The nurse will need
to contact parents or individuals prior to the trip in order to generate
Medication Administration Records (MAR) for these individuals for documentation
of medication administration during the trip.
The nurse will also request pictures of all medication bottles that will
go on the trip to ensure they are correct before travel. The nurse will also oversee the final check
of all medications and MARs prior to departure on the first day of travel. Many things can be easily obtained at the
vacation location if they are forgotten at home, but medication is not one of
them. It is imperative that medications
are checked and carried in the carry-on ensuring the safety of individuals
served. Medication can only be
administered by appropriately certified staff during travel in the same way
that staff require medication administration certification to administer
medication when at home. The schedule
should outline who will administer all medication to individuals for the
duration of the trip. With appropriate,
detailed preparation, all individuals can have a successful travel experience
and enjoy vacationing in the way their non-disabled peers do no matter what unforeseen
events occur.
