Planning Ahead for Holiday Travel

The holiday season often means traveling to spend time with family and friends. For people living with kidney disease, a little extra planning can help make travel smoother and reduce the chance that an unexpected delay interferes with care.

For patients receiving in-center kidney dialysis, one of the first steps is coordinating treatment away from home. The National Kidney Foundation recommends beginning those arrangements six to eight weeks before a trip, with additional time for travel during busy holiday periods.

Patients should talk with their kidney care team before finalizing travel plans. A kidney dialysis facility may be able to help identify a facility near the destination, coordinate records, and arrange treatment dates. Because availability can vary, planning early is especially important during popular travel periods.

Patients using home kidney dialysis have different considerations. Depending on the treatment, travel may involve arranging for equipment and supplies, shipping materials to the destination, or making backup plans for treatment away from home. Northwest Kidney Centers recommends discussing travel with home kidney dialysis staff well in advance.

It is also worth planning for what could go wrong.

Winter weather, flight cancellations, road closures, and lost luggage can all disrupt a carefully planned trip. Keeping medications and important medical information in carry-on luggage can help prevent one problem from becoming a larger one. Patients may also want to keep contact information for their regular kidney dialysis facility and the facility at their destination readily available.

For patients receiving kidney hemodialysis, maintaining the prescribed treatment schedule matters. Missing or shortening treatment can allow fluid, potassium, acid, and waste to build up in the body, which can become dangerous. Patients who believe they may miss a treatment should contact their kidney dialysis facility as soon as possible for guidance.

Holiday travel can still be part of life with kidney disease. The goal is not to plan for every possible complication, but to leave enough time to coordinate treatment, prepare for common disruptions, and know who to contact if plans change.

For patients traveling this holiday season, starting the conversation early with the kidney care team can make the journey easier to navigate.