Travel Tips for Dialysis Patients

1. Be sure to keep a copy of all your relevant medical records and your physician’s contact information on your person while traveling.

2. If you are an in-center hemodialysis patient, contact a dialysis center in the city you are visiting at to schedule your treatments. Planning your appointments in advance will help you get into the center most convenient for you, in terms of location and appointment times.

3. Home hemodialysis patients usually receive dialysis in a center while traveling, as bringing along a home dialysis machine would be nearly impossible. Talk with your doctor and support staff for help finding a dialysis center in the area you are visiting, and schedule your appointment well in advance of arriving at your destination.

4. If you are a peritoneal dialysis (PD) patient, you are not limited to a dialysis center schedule. Be sure to discuss your travel plans with your medical provider before leaving.

5. Make a list of the supplies you will need before leaving, and have them shipped to your destination or keep them with you. The more you plan, the more you will be able to relax and enjoy your vacation once you get there.

6. When making flight reservations, ask for a meal that fits your doctors recommendations for healthy eating. Most airlines offer low salt or low fat options. Bringing your own healthy and apprpopriate snacks will keep you satisfied while you travel. Airport restaurants and shops do not always offer the healthiest choices, and having your own food with you will be helpful if you are delayed in any way.

7. If you are traveling with a wheelchair or scooter, let your airline know that you will need assistance before arriving at the airport. Ask the ticket desk attendant to "gate check" your wheelchair and obtain a luggage claim receipt for it. Checking your wheelchair in you to will allow you to roll your wheelchair directly to the plane. When it is time to board, you can choose to walk to your seat or transfer into an "aisle chair" for assistance to your seat.

8. Be sure to notify the hotel at your destination that you will be traveling with a wheelchair, so they can offer you a handicapped-accessible room. By mentioning this when you make your reservation, you will be more likely to get the room that best suits your needs.