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The Art Of Locating Travel Accommodations That Cater To Mobility Challenges

Most Canadians thoroughly enjoy going on vacation. This is especially true during the fall and winter seasons as they incorporate the coldest months of the year. Setting sail on a cruise or flying down to a tropical island is a dream-come-true getaway for many. Would-be vacationers often tend to think of nothing more than having fun in the sun and seeing all the sights of their destinations. Older adults, on the other hand, have much more on their minds when they travel.

Elderly individuals who contend with mobility challenges are tasked with considering the appropriateness of their travel accommodations. Will they have ramps and other accessibility features to cater to their wheelchairs and scooters? Are there nearby resources and medical facilities? For older travelers who have mobility issues, locating ideal travel accommodations is somewhat of an art.

Be on the lookout for accessibility features at the hotel.

As we noted, finding accommodations that cater to the needs of those with disabilities is a top priority. We’re talking about hotels that have wheelchair ramps, accessible bathrooms with grab bars, roll-in showers and wide doorways. It’s also wise to research accommodations that have accessible room layouts with lowered countertops, beds at appropriate heights and ample turning space for wheelchairs or walkers.

It’s probably easiest to enlist the help of an experienced and trusted travel agent who can do this type of research for you. Alternatively, you may want to get some assistance from a family member or friend who can surf the internet for the perfect spot to stay. Of course, to be on the safe side, you could always call the hotel in advance to confirm that it is equipped with the accessibility features that will meet your needs.

Spinal Cord Injury Ontario also wisely advises travellers with disabilities to read reviews and ratings from other travellers with disabilities. “Look for feedback regarding the accessibility of the accommodations, including any positive or negative experiences they may have had,” recommends their website.

Try to stay on the ground floor or close to elevators.

Do you make use of a mobility solution such as a rollator, scooter or wheelchair? If so, when booking your hotel reservations, it’s smart to request a ground floor room. Naturally, this will help you to avoid the stairs. If you don’t necessarily need to accommodate a mobility solution, you may want to opt for a room that is near an elevator. Of course, elevators can accommodate your accessibility needs. However, a nearby room allows you to minimize the distance you need to walk to access the elevator.

“For some travellers, wheelchair accessibility is absolutely required,” notes Mabel MS of Holiday Tours, “Or if they are not wheelchair bound, many would prefer to be on the ground floor to not climb stairs. If there are no rooms available on the ground floor, ensure that the accommodation has an elevator installed as stairs are usually inaccessible to seniors.”

Keep in mind that some hotels set aside certain rooms for guests who have accessibility requirements. Don’t shy away from asking about these special accommodations when going through the booking process. If you’re booking your room online, be sure to look for options to request room preferences.

Seek out hotels with either on-site or nearby medical support.

The closer your accommodations are to medical help, the safer you’re bound to be.  Of course, you never know when you may need some medical assistance. It’s wise to do some research into hotels, resorts and cruise ships that offer on-site medical facilities. Alternatively, you may wish to go for a spot that has a partnership with a local healthcare provider. In the event that neither option is available to you, look into whether or not the hotel is near a hospital or clinic.

In lieu of any of the above, you’ll want to, at the very least, insist upon accommodations that have 24/7 assistance. A smaller chain that may not have round-the-clock front desk services can put you at risk of not receiving emergency medical help if needed. Hotels with 24/7 services or on-call assistance can quickly respond to any mobility-related need. Note that some accommodations even offer personal concierge services. They can be very helpful in arranging accessible transportation or finding nearby accessible attractions.

Prioritize easy access to transportation options.

With your hotel situation now sorted out, you want to consider how you plan on getting around. Needless to say, the most worthwhile of vacation time is spent outside of the hotel. Is the one you’re staying at close to public transit? Does it offer accessible shuttles? Is it easy to reach by car? For older adults with mobility challenges, finding transportation that accommodates wheelchair solutions is another top priority. Contact the hotel to find out if it has shuttle services specifically designed to accommodate scooters, wheelchairs and walkers.

Cory Lee of Marriott Bonvoy Traveler stresses the need to conduct Google searches about accessible transportation before taking a trip. “For instance, if flying to Paris sounds amazing, then before booking that flight, Google ‘wheelchair accessible transportation Paris’ to see what is available,” he advises, “By researching accessible taxis, accessible tours and accessible public transportation, including buses and transit systems, you’ll have an idea of how accommodating this city is for your particular situation.”

How can Advantage Home Health Solutions make travelling even easier for you?

As we announced in our last blog, we are excitedly in the midst of our “Travel Made Easy” promotion! When you purchase any of our select Travel Mobility Scooters, we will give you a pair of Juzo compression stockings for FREE! Select from all three of our Travel Buggy models, the Q50R Sunrise and the Folding Scooter by Golden.

Get in touch with our team today! You only have until 4:00 p.m. on November 3rd to take advantage of this awesome deal. Remember that, at Advantage Home Health Solutions, we always ensure that you have the complete picture to make an informed decision. You will know all of the possible options so you can choose which solution is best for you. Give us a call at 403-460-5438. You may also email us by filling out the form on our Contact page!

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