Help for Carers > Holidays and day trips > Having a holiday with the person you care for

Having a holiday with the person you care for

Holidays for people who are ill or who have disabilities, and their carers, often need detailed arrangements. When planning a holiday it is advisable to explain your needs to any travel agent or organisation you are using before you make a booking. Be sure to confirm all the details in writing to avoid any misunderstanding.
You may require specialist travel insurance or equipment for the journey and at the destination. Be sure to include these in your plans.

Some specific disability organisations operate holiday accommodation, arrange group holidays or provide their own information about suitable holidays or holiday accommodation. If the person you care for has a diagnosed disability, it may be worthwhile contacting the related disability support group or organisation to find out more.

Tourism for All (formerly Holiday Care) provides information about holidays for people with any type of disability or care needed, both in the UK and abroad. The information covers details such as suitable accommodation, transport, equipment hire and accessible places to visit. www.tourismforall.org.uk

Insurance
If you are organising your journey without an agent you can find out about specialist travel insurances from many organisations including:

• Age Concern Insurance Services
  0845 601 2234
• Europ Assistance Ltd
  www.europ-assistance.co.uk - Specialises in a range of international travel insurances, motoring breakdown cover in the UK and Europe.
• www.direct.gov.uk - travel insurance for disabled people
  
• www.direct.gov.uk - information about the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which has replaced the E111 form.

For more information on organisations that may be able to help with specific concerns:
Call the ICIS enquiry line for help by telephone 0800 859929 (open Mondays to Fridays 10am - 12.30pm and 1.30pm - 4pm)
Fax: 01903 777601
email: enquiries@icis-info4life.org.uk

Or visit the ICIS website

You can get more information from:

National information about Holidays from Carers UK

National information on respite/day care/holidays and other aspects of taking a break from Carers UK

www.radar.org.uk - Website for Radar, a national campaigning network of disability organisations and disabled people, who publish a 'Guide to Holidays in Britain and Ireland', which you can purchase direct from Radar, or which you may be able to obtain through your local library.

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