Page 17 - Senior Link Magazine Spring 2026 - Online Magazine

SENIOR RESOURCES

Traveling While on Hospice

It’s Possible and What You Should Know

by John Castro

Wherever a beautiful

soul has been, there

is a trail of beautiful

memories.

– Ronald Reagan

Medication Planning: Your hospice
team will help make sure that
you have enough medication for
the entire trip. They can also help
coordinate refills with the partner
hospice if needed.

Medical Equipment (DME): If you
or many patients who are organizations, like the one that I rely on equipment like oxygen,
receiving hospice care, the work for, operate in a bunch of a hospital bed, or a wheelchair,
Fdesire to travel doesn’t just go states which makes it really helpful your hospice team can arrange for
away. In fact, it often becomes more in providing seamless care. A travel these items to be delivered to your
meaningful. A final visit to a favorite contract is often created between destination ahead of time.
place, spending time with family both hospices to make sure that you Emergency Contacts: Carry a
who live far away, or just the joy of are supported with necessary items, simple list of important phone
being somewhere comforting can like medications, supplies or even numbers like your home hospice, the
bring profound emotional peace. nursing visits. Some other important partner hospice, and your primary
What many families don’t realize is items to consider include: caregiver. Traveling on hospice is
that traveling while on hospice is about honoring what matters the
absolutely possible. Traveling can be Portable DNR or Out-of-Hospital most to you. Whether it’s meeting a
safe and deeply fulfilling with the DNR: If you have a Do Not grandchild for the first time, feeling
right planning. Resuscitate order, ask your hospice
team for the printed version of the the ocean breeze at your favorite
So, what would be the steps in state you’re visiting. Understandably, beach, or being surrounded by
planning travel? requirements vary, and having the family, these moments are important.
proper form ensures your wishes are At the end of the day, your hospice
Traveling while on hospice requires honored wherever you go. team will help determine whether
solid coordination between your travel is appropriate and safe,
hospice provider and a hospice Advance Directives: Don’t forget supporting your wishes every step of
agency near the area that you’re copies of your advance directive or the way.
visiting. A pro tip is to ask your medical power of attorney. Keep
current provider if there are any them in an easily accessible place
other agencies under the same that your caregivers have access to.
ownership in that region. Large

Lubbock Senior Link 17