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As healthcare costs rise, more and more patients find it necessary to look to other countries for cost-effective treatments and medical solutions, says Patients Beyond Borders. Some procedures done in other countries can net patients as much as 75 percent in cost-savings.

That necessities a lot of travel. If you’re travelling for medical reasons or just underwent surgery, hiring an airline nurse should be on top of your list of priorities. But finding one can be challenging. If you’ve already got a full plate, here are tips on how to find the best one for your case:

Care levels

Credentials are a given. But the best nurses are those who care for their patients. They are trained and confident in their roles while offering comfort and support to the sick and ill. To find a nurse that provides you with optimum levels of care, look to people you already know and trust. Ask friends and family for referrals.

Positive reviews and feedback

Reviews give you the opportunity to hear from other patients. Were they satisfied with the level of service and care they received? Will they hire the same service again or recommend it to their friends and family? If you see bad comments, a pile of complaints or negative feedback, that’s a good thing. By doing your research, you know enough to steer clear of the bad bets in the business, saving you time, stress and trouble in the future.

Organized

An airline nurse needs to be organized and focused. If you always forget about taking your medication on time or if you regularly miss a dose, you can be sure your nurse won’t allow that to happen. A good one will make sure you stick to your schedule so you won’t have to worry about missing a dose any longer.

Physically fit

Nurses are often physically fit. They need to be to ensure they can provide you with the support and level of assistance you need. They also know when to take a break and how to stay healthy on the job. That’s because they understand that your care and health depends on them.

Fast on their fit

In case something happens on the trip that could adversely affect your health, your nurse is trained to think fast on his/her feet. They know what to do to ensure you’re safe and protected while you’re under their care.

Beyond credentials and experienced, finding a nurse is all about finding the right fit. Be sure to check for these qualities before you hire one to look after your health. Want to know more? Call Flying Nurses International today.

Traveling with someone who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease can be a challenging experience. However, if you want to make sure your loved one has the best care and assistance during the flight home, then hiring travel companions for seniors is an option you’ll want to consider. Here’s why:

Less stress

Travel can sometimes prove immensely stressful for someone with dementia, says the Alzheimer’s Association. If you aren’t confident that you’ll be able to provide the care and assistance your elderly loved one needs, it might be a prudent decision to hire a travel escort. A professional travel escort will manage the details of the trip along with the care of the patient, and reduce the anxiety and stress you’ll feel while you and your senior loved one are in transit.

Customized to your needs

Traveling with someone who has a medical or neurological condition can cause certain difficulties. By hiring professionals to help you and your senior parent, it’s going to lessen, if not eliminate, a lot of those difficulties. Some companies have the knowledge, resources and skill to provide you with travel plans that are ideally suited to your needs and those of your parent. In particular, look for a company with experienced and competent RN flight coordinators to help you. That allows you to look forward to the trip, knowing these needs will be met.

Safer trip

Changes in the environment could cause your parent to become disoriented. If you’re on your own, handling the luggage along with your parent, your loved one could easily, as a worst-case scenario, get lost in the crowd. The good news is that it’s entirely preventable. You can keep your parent(s) safe by getting help and assistance from professional travel companions for seniors. Being accompanied by a professional allows you to take care of your needs during the trip, knowing that your loved one is in good and capable hands.

With professional travel escorts to provide assistance and support, the prospect of traveling with a loved one who suffers from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease can be a lot less overwhelming for families.

Flying can be a stressful experience. It can prove even more so for senior passengers. If your parents are going to fly, here are 5 pointers you’ll want to keep in mind:

Research and make plans

This is especially important if your parents are going to fly unassisted. Researching the best travel times and fastest routes, one without breaks, can be the most convenient arrangement to make, states Aging Care. You’ll worry less, knowing your parents won’t be dealing with lengthy layovers.

Find a medical escort

If your parents have medical conditions and you want to make sure they get on and off that plane safely and comfortably, with ample assistance and help, then engaging the services of a commercial air medical escort is a wise solution. Not sure how to find the right one? Start by…

Doing your homework

Look around for available options in the area. If you are relocating your parents to better assist in their healthcare, look for a medical escort company that can plan the trip for you, from doorstep to doorstep, and arrange for every facet of travel, giving you and your parents peace of mind. Check out the list of locations the company covers and confirm that yours is one of them.

Look for experience

You want experienced flight physiology trained RNs when you hire a commercial air medical escort for your parents so that you can be sure they’ll have the best possible level of care and assistance during the flight. Whether the flight lasts an hour or an entire day, choosing the right escort will allow you to rest a little easier, knowing you can count on a professional to look after your parent’s health and safety during the flight.

Consider the level of customer service

Does the company offer a travel plan that’s uniquely customized to your situation? Does it factor in the needs of your parents and your own? Does the company have a proven track record and years of experience with impeccable safety standards? Finding a company with these qualifications will give you the assurance that your parents are in good hands.

Need our assistance? Our team of experienced medical escorts is willing to help. Contact us today.

Looking for a nurse companion for travel can be a bit of a strain. To make sure you get the right one, though, here are a few qualities you’ll want to look for before deciding on a final pick:

Experience

Nothing beats experience, hands-down—except maybe results. But if you want to make sure your loved one is in good hands, checking out the level of experience of the staff is a must. You’re essentially putting your loved one’s life in their hands so it makes sense to hire someone qualified for the job.

Credentials

Aside from experience, is the nurse registered and licensed? That’s another qualification you’ll need to check out. Before you hand over care of your loved one to a stranger, you’ll want to make sure they have the medical training and know-how to provide emergency care or administer the right medication in case an in-flight emergency happens. They don’t need experience with critical trauma cases. They simply need to know emergency care that’s suited to the needs of the patient.

Compassion

Transporting frail or ailing loved ones without your presence can be worrisome. Hiring a compassionate nurse companion for travel can help ease some of your concerns, knowing someone is there to ensure your loved one is safe, comfortable and wants for nothing while on a plane. Although qualifications and credentials matter, compassion and a supportive, pleasant manner can make all the difference to tamp down, not just your loved one’s anxiety, but your own as well.

Responsive

You want someone who can spot signs of medical distress right away. In 2014, the Ebola virus was brought to U.S. by a man who was on a passenger plane from Liberia to Dallas, says the New York Times. While the traveler had not exhibited symptoms during the flight, imagine if someone did. You want medical staff that can spot these signs and can review through a checklist of emergency care responses right away. That’s the kind of medical assistance and support you’ll want for your loved one.

Bottom line

With medical emergencies occurring on about 50 commercial flights a day just in the US alone, take no chances. Hire a qualified nurse companion to ensure your loved one is safe and has the help and aid required in case of a medical emergency onboard a plane. For more details, contact us.