Many stroke survivors worry about if and when they can fly after a stroke. Medical research shows a person can fly after a stroke, but they should consider the type of stroke they had, how long it’s been since the stroke and whether they want medical travel assistance during the flight.
If you plan to travel after having a stroke, it’s comforting to know that research has found having a history of a stroke does not put a person in danger during an airline flight. Having a past stroke does not mean a person should not fly.
But if a stroke has been more recent or a person simply has concerns about flying, they should consider several factors before booking their trip.
Strokes vary in type and severity. Stroke victims should consider their own unique circumstances. Experts do not have hard and fast rules that apply to everyone who has had a stroke. But the following factors can help you decide about flying.
Type of Stroke
The advice on when to fly could depend on the stroke. A full stroke involves the sudden loss of blood flow to the brain. However, many people experience a transient ischemic attack (TIA), which is known as a “mini-stroke” that resolves without permanent brain damage.
A TIA is like a stroke and considered a warning sign of stroke risk. Also, some medical disorders that lead to a TIA could pose a “very small risk” on flights, according to research compiled by Very Well Health. Those conditions include patent foramen ovale, paradoxical embolism or hypercoagulability. It’s important to know if you have those conditions.
Experts may vary on when they recommend you can fly. The Stroke Association recommends that it is “probably best to avoid flying for the first two weeks. This is the time when your problems are likely to be most severe and other conditions related to your stroke may come up.”
In the most severe stroke cases, patients may want to wait as long as three months. However, with a TIA, many people are safe to fly in 10 days.
Before booking a flight, people should consult with their doctor.
Some people who have had a stroke may prefer to hire medical professionals to fly with them. Doing so provides them a high degree of security in making the flight and ensures they get proper medical care if needed. Such help is found with non-emergency transport (NEMT) companies like Flying Angels.
Flying Angels provides a number of services that can support stroke victims when they fly. A Flight Coordinator books your flight, sets up all the arrangements with both airports and airlines, gets you through security and provides a flight nurse to help you throughout your journey. The company hires only nurses with a great deal of experience working in emergency rooms and who have training in providing medical care at high altitudes.
Stroke survivors may face challenges, but they still can live a full life. As with any serious condition, those who have had a stroke need to practice patience and planning. Travel by flight is certainly doable if they have the right amount of support. Consulting with a doctor and a medical transport service can give people the answers they seek about flying after a stroke. They also can provide the comfort, care and support they need to make the journey.
Flying Angels specializes in non-emergency medical transport. It’s an important service that ensures safe medical travel by offering people the opportunity to fly with an experienced flight nurse when they make a trip with a commercial airline. Flight nurses have extensive medical knowledge and experience, including expertise in providing care at high altitudes.
The service also includes the booking of all travel accommodations by an RN flight coordinator, who also work with airports and airlines to make any pre-trip arrangements that make the flight go smoother. Flight nurses also manage all medications and medical equipment. Flying Angels specializes in reducing the concerns of travel for a wide variety of people from those injured on vacation to seniors relocating to a new home.
What Is Non-Emergency Medical Transport?
High quality NEMT service plays a crucial role in ensuring safe medical travel for patients who require medical attention but do not need emergency services. They go beyond the classic non-emergency transport that carries people to and from medical appointments. Flying Angels’ NEMT services involve traveling with clients on commercial flights, ensuring safe medical travel by making comfort and safety a priority.
They also provide people with the peace of mind of traveling with trained and experienced flight nurses. They can provide medical assistance during the journey if the need arises, ensuring the patient’s well-being throughout the trip.
For patients with medical conditions, recent injuries, or even recent surgeries, travel can seem stressful and anxiety-inducing. Quality NEMT services alleviate this stress by providing a smooth and reliable experience, allowing patients to focus on the journey rather than worrying about transportation logistics or managing medicine.
Who Uses Safe Medical Travel?
The safe medical travel provided by Flying Angels is available for people in a wide variety of situations. No matter the situation, the focus is on providing reliable medical and travel services that make the journey safer and more enjoyable for clients. Some of the situations where NEMT services can provide significant support include the following.
Those with medical conditions. People who have chronic conditions that impact their mobility or cognition may feel safer traveling with a flight nurse. This can also include those who have recently recovered from a stroke or a heart attack.
Senior relocations. Families may hire NEMT services to provide medical assistance for their aging parents as they relocate, including a flight nurse who makes the relocation journey with them. They can help them navigate the airport, find the best seats on the plane, and more.
Nursing home or assisted living facility transfers. When individuals need to move between nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or home care in a different part of the country, NEMT can provide a suitable means of transportation.
Hospital discharges. After a hospital stay, some patients may require NEMT to return home or move to another healthcare facility for continued care or rehabilitation. This is especially true for those discharged from hospitals in foreign countries who need medical services for the flight home.
Flying Angels supports safe medical travel through NEMT services that keep patients healthy and comfortable during their trip on a commercial airline. They provide a reliable, needed service for people in a variety of situations who require assistance when they travel.
Traveling presents a thrilling and rewarding opportunity to break away from the mundane and discover new horizons. Yet, those considering traveling with chronic health conditions might hesitate to move forward with their travel plans. However, chronic conditions should not keep people from enjoying traveling.
The key is to approach travel with careful consideration, good planning and preparation. Doing so can result in a trip that is both safe and pleasurable. While the following tips can help those traveling with chronic health conditions reach that goal, it’s also worth your time to consider working with non-emergency medical transport professionals who can make all your travel rearrangements and also travel with you.
It’s important to consult with your doctor and other important healthcare providers before traveling with chronic health conditions. As noted by Johns Hopkins Medicine, you should try to meet with your healthcare providers as much in advance as possible before your trip. They can provide guidance on issues such as any risks you face with travel, as well as plan for any immunizations, medications and medical devices needed before and during your trip.
Medication Management During Travel
This is an area where careful planning and organization are required. The goal is to make sure you have an adequate supply. The first step is to talk with your doctor, letting them know what your travel plans involve. They can offer advice on the proper amount of medication to take with you. They may even adjust your dosages for the duration of the trip, so speak with them well in advance.
Always take medication on the flight so you are not stuck without your prescription medications if your checked baggage ends up in another airport! Also, bring a prescription from your doctor in case you have to get a refill while on your journey. Use pill divider cases to carry your pills and set alarms or reminders on your phone or watch for when you need to take your pills (especially if you travel to a different time zone).
Preparing a Medical Travel Plan
Research your destination and learn about the local climate, altitude, and accessibility to medical facilities. Determine if you need vaccinations or additional precautions. Become familiar with local healthcare services and emergency contact information, including hospitals and any clinics that specialize in your condition.
Another key component of a good medical travel plan is ensuring you have plenty of medication for the duration of your trip. To help with any security issues, consider packing medications in their original packaging, along with copies of prescriptions and any other necessary documentation.
It’s also important to consider purchasing travel insurance that covers medical costs involving your chronic condition. Always carry insurance information and emergency contact numbers with you.
Ensuring Comfort and Safety During Your Journey
Johns Hopkins Medicine reports that those with circulatory problems may experience swollen legs and discomfort on longer flights. They suggest stretching legs and arms at least once an hour, performing leg lifts several times an hour while seated, and wearing well-fitted or compression stockings.
You can also stay more comfortable by watching what you eat and staying hydrated. Carry water with you at all times and drink plenty of fluids. Make sure to also bring all mobility aids that you may need, including canes, walkers, and wheelchairs.
Other tips for comfort and safety to keep in mind.
Choose a seat that accommodates your needs, such as an aisle seat that gives you easier access to the restroom.
Wear loose-fitting, breathable clothing and comfortable shoes that allow for easy movement and minimize any restrictions or pressure on your body.
Bring your own pillows, cushions, or lumbar support to provide added comfort for your back and neck.
Keep in mind that airlines are equipped to help those with special needs. Inform them in advance about your condition and request any special assistance you may require, such as wheelchair assistance or priority boarding.
Traveling with chronic health conditions requires careful planning, but it should not hinder your desire to enjoy your journey. By following these tips, you can embark on a memorable trip while managing your health effectively.
An injury suffered while on vacation. Chronic conditions that inhibit range of motion. Traveling after suffering a stroke or heart attack. These are just some of the situations where travelers can benefit by using non-emergency medical transport by air.
What can people expect using NEMT transport? They immediately have a partner who can work with them on booking all the arrangements for their journey. They also reap the benefits of having a trained flight nurse travel with them throughout their trip, providing medical assistance when needed. They also enjoy the peace of mind that comes from flying with someone trained to provide emergency medical care, if needed.
Non-emergency medical transport by air has gained in popularity in recent years as people increasingly see the value of working with healthcare professionals for their next long-distance trip, whether the location is domestic or international.
What Is NEMT?
Non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) refers to a service that involves transport of patients who do not require emergency medical attention, but still need assistance. In the case of an NEMT company such as Flying Angels, the service involves traveling with a flight nurse who provides assistance and medical services to clients who are traveling by commercial airline.
People use NEMT services for a variety of reasons. Families partner with an NEMT company to help them with a senior relocation. Others may suffer injuries while traveling and seek NEMT services so a nurse can fly back home with them. Others suffer from chronic conditions or injuries that keep them from flying safely on their own, including broken bones, head trauma, or dementia. Some want a nurse to fly with them if they recently had surgery.
Whatever the case, the goal of NEMT services is to ensure the safe, reliable transport of patients who have difficulty traveling on their own.
Services and Benefits of Non-Emergency Medical Transport by Air
Working with a high-quality NEMT service provides a wealth of benefits in a variety of areas. They include senior relocations, medical reparations, long distance vacations to both domestic and international locations, and as an air ambulance alternative.
Booking Travel in Advance
Quality NEMT companies make all the arrangements for each client’s travels. It’s a service that directly enhances the experience. For example, an RN Flight Coordinator is an experienced nurse who knows how to arrange a trip in a way that benefits the client. This includes booking direct flights whenever possible, working with airport officials to ensure clients have a safe and comfortable trip through the airport, and securing any needed early boarding privileges from commercial airlines.
Traveling with a Flight Nurse
Flight nurses travel with clients during the entirety of their trip on a commercial airline. They have years of nursing experience and the training required to provide medical care at high altitudes. They also work with airport and airline officials to get any assistance required as well as manage the patient’s medication and medical equipment.
During the journey, a flight nurse monitors the client’s health and provides any medical assistant needed. They make sure patients take their medication at the proper time and also use any medical equipment properly. This can prove especially helpful to seniors with medical conditions who feel uncomfortable traveling long distances alone.
Coordination with Airports and Airlines
Both the RN Flight Coordinator and the flight nurse work with airport and airline officials to help smooth the way for the journey. That includes issues such as having a wheelchair waiting when they arrive at the airport and getting medical equipment through security. They also work with the airline to get early boarding and find favorable seating (near a bathroom, for example). Thanks to years of experience working in the transportation industry, nurses affiliated with NEMT companies know who to talk to in order to get the services people need.
Benefits of Using Non-Emergency Medical Transport By Air
The services provided through NEMT companies benefit clients in many different ways. Most importantly, NEMT flight nurses keep patients comfortable during their trip and also ensure that they arrive safely at their destination.
NEMT services also reduce stress. Those who work with non-emergency transport professionals don’t have to worry about making flight arrangements, finding the right person to talk to at the airport or airline to get special services, or having medical complications arise while flying alone. Healthcare professionals manage all of those issues.
People also can save money using NEMT services rather than an ambulance, which is far more costly. Using NEMT can reduce out-of-pocket expenses for travelers who don’t need all the services offered in emergency transportation.
These are some of the services and benefits to expect when using non-emergency medical transport by air. It’s a service that can vastly improve the travel experience for many types of people who might otherwise have difficulties or feel much more stressed if required to travel alone.
People with chronic conditions can, in many cases, still use air travel to reach their destinations. Doing so requires planning and consultation with clinicians. It’s also helpful to travel with medical professionals who can provide continuity of care during air travel.
Flight nurses who work for non-emergency medical transport (NEMT) companies can provide this service, traveling with patients from their home to their final destination. The best NEMT companies also employ RN flight coordinators to book all the tickets for the flight as well as work with airlines and airports in advance to help smooth the way for clients with chronic conditions.
As noted by Johns Hopkins Medicine, “Chronic conditions should not keep people from enjoying travel.” They advise that as with other medical conditions, people with chronic diseases should always “see their healthcare provider as early as possible before traveling.”
Johns Hopkins also notes that those with chronic conditions should “travel with a companion familiar with their condition.”
What Is Continuity of Care During Air Travel?
The term continuity of care refers to the healthcare strategy of coordination and delivering services to a patient over a period of time and at different locations. The idea is to provide patients with consistent, uninterrupted care that allows them to seamlessly move between healthcare providers and settings.
Continuity of care is especially important for patients with chronic conditions or complex medical needs. In those cases, patients often require care from a variety of providers.
In the context of air travel, continuity of care refers to delivery of healthcare services during a journey using commercial airlines. Flight nurses accompany patients throughout the trip, overseeing medications and providing any needed medical treatment. They also assist those with chronic conditions as they navigate the airport, as well as boarding and deplaning.
Examples of Common Chronic Conditions
What are some of the chronic conditions that people travel with the most? They include hypertension, arthritis, allergies, traumatic brain injury, stroke (depending on the type and severity), mild asthma, and chronic digestive issues such as acid reflux. Those with injuries that limit mobility can also often fly, including those with a broken leg.
Some of those with certain conditions may be advised against air travel, according to Johns Hopkins. They include people with cardiac failure, a recent myocardial infarction (heart attack) or stroke, angina (chest pain) at rest, heart rate or rhythm disorders, uncontrolled arterial hypertension, severe anemia, sickle-cell anemia, acute mental disorders, epilepsy, and any serious or contagious diseases. Even in these cases, the decision to fly or not depends on an individual’s medical condition.
What NEMT Flight Nurses Do
NEMT flight nurses work with RN flight coordinators, going through the details of a client’s flight and reviewing the care they will require. They also review airport procedures and contact airline and airport officials about any special requirements a client might need, such as a special security line or boarding a plane early.
Nurses also review a client’s condition and ensure all the necessary medical equipment and medications are packed for the trip. They also have a medical kit of their own to prepare for any needs the client might experience during air travel or at the airport.
Flight nurses are trained in flight physiology, as well as psychological distress patients may experience during a flight. They also track the times for giving clients their medication and make routine health checks. In this way, they ensure continuity of care during air travel for their clients, including those with chronic conditions.
Flight nurses provide important care for those with chronic conditions who do not want to fly alone. An NEMT flight nurse provides the peace of mind in knowing clients by providing continuity of care during air travel.
