June is ALS Awareness Month. At Destinations Travel Clinic, we want to speak to something that rarely comes up in conversations about ALS: Travel.
For many people, a diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis prompts an immediate desire to travel. To see family, to visit a place that has always been on the list, to take a trip that feels meaningful while health and mobility still allow. That impulse is completely understandable, and in many cases, it is entirely possible to act on it. But travel with ALS requires planning that goes well beyond booking flights and accommodation.
This is where a travel health consultation becomes genuinely useful.
What Changes When You Travel with ALS
ALS affects people differently, and travel considerations depend heavily on where a patient is in their disease progression. What we consistently see, however, is that patients and caregivers are often unaware of how much preparation can reduce risk and how much a pre-travel consultation can help with that preparation.
Medications across borders. ALS patients may be on riluzole (Rilutek), edaravone (Radicava), tofersen (Qalsody), or other medications that require documentation, temperature management, or customs clearance when crossing international borders. A travel health clinician can advise on how to carry medications safely, what documentation is required, and what to do if medications are lost or damaged abroad.
Medical equipment clearance. Patients who use respiratory support devices, communication aids, suction machines, or power wheelchairs face specific airline and border requirements that vary by destination. Understanding these requirements in advance prevents serious disruptions at the worst possible time.
Destination healthcare access. Not all destinations have equivalent access to ALS specialist care or emergency neurological support. Assessing where your destination falls on that spectrum, and what options exist if something goes wrong, is part of what a travel health risk assessment provides.
Travel insurance for pre-existing conditions. Standard travel insurance often excludes or limits coverage for pre-existing conditions. Advising on how to navigate insurance documentation and coverage for complex medical situations is part of what we help patients prepare for.
Vaccinations and preventive care. ALS patients may have immune considerations depending on their medications and overall health status. Destination-specific vaccination recommendations and food and water safety advice need to be assessed in that clinical context.
What to Bring to a Pre-Travel Consultation
If you or someone you are caring for has ALS and is planning travel, bringing the following to your consultation allows us to provide the most complete advice:
- A complete list of current medications, including doses, how they are stored, and whether any require refrigeration or controlled temperature transport.
- The names and contact information of your neurologist and any other specialists involved in your care.
- Your travel itinerary, including all destinations, planned activities, and accommodation type.
- Information about any medical equipment you will be travelling with, including power requirements, airline approval status, and battery specifications.
- Details of your current travel insurance policy if you have one, including any pre-existing condition exclusions.
You do not need to have everything figured out before you come in. Part of the consultation is helping you identify what you have not thought of yet.
A Note for Caregivers
Caregivers who travel with ALS patients carry significant responsibility and often have their own health needs that go unaddressed in the preparation process. A pre-travel consultation is for you too. We can review your own vaccination status, discuss what to watch for at your destination, and make sure you are prepared to support the person you are travelling with without compromising your own health.
Travelling with Purpose
We work with travellers at every stage of life and health. For patients living with ALS who want to travel while they can, we take the planning seriously. The goal is not to talk anyone out of going. It is to make sure that when you go, you have done everything reasonable to protect the trip.
Because Your Health Doesn’t Take a Vacation — Even When You Do.
📍 Destinations Travel Clinic — 210 Centrum Blvd, Suite 110, Orléans
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in many cases. Travel with ALS requires more preparation than a standard trip, but it is possible at various stages of the disease depending on the individual’s health status, mobility, and support needs. A pre-travel health consultation helps identify what specific preparations are needed for your destination, your condition, and your itinerary — and flags risks that might not be obvious in advance.
Bring a complete list of your current medications including doses and storage requirements, contact information for your neurologist and specialist team, your full travel itinerary, details about any medical equipment you are travelling with, and your travel insurance policy documents. If any of your medications require refrigeration or special handling during transit, note that specifically. The more information you bring, the more useful the consultation will be.
Airlines have specific policies for respiratory devices, power wheelchairs, and battery-operated medical equipment that vary by carrier and destination. Most require advance notification and documentation, and some restrict certain battery types or require medical certificates. Checking with your airline well before departure and carrying written documentation from your neurologist about your equipment needs significantly reduces the risk of problems at the gate or border. A travel health consultation can walk you through what is required for your specific equipment and destination.
Standard travel insurance frequently excludes or limits coverage for pre-existing conditions, including ALS. Patients should look specifically for policies that offer pre-existing condition coverage and read the exclusion clauses carefully before purchasing. Declaring your ALS diagnosis and current medications accurately is essential — failure to disclose can void a claim. A travel health consultation can advise on how to approach insurance documentation and what to look for in a policy.
Vaccination recommendations for ALS patients depend on the destination, current medications, and overall immune status. Some ALS medications may affect immune response, which can influence which vaccines are appropriate and how well they confer protection. A pre-travel consultation at Destinations Travel Clinic assesses your destination-specific risk profile alongside your clinical picture and recommends vaccinations accordingly. We do not apply standard healthy-traveller protocols without considering the individual patient’s situation.
Yes, and we encourage it. Caregivers who travel with ALS patients have their own health preparation needs and benefit from understanding what to watch for at the destination. A consultation that includes the caregiver results in a better-prepared travel party overall. We can review the caregiver’s vaccination status, discuss contingency planning, and make sure both the patient and caregiver leave with a clear understanding of what to do if something goes wrong abroad.
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Because Your Health Doesn’t Take a Vacation — Even When You Do.
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The medical information on this site is provided as an information resource only and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information does not substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment. Please do not initiate, modify, or discontinue any treatment, medication, or supplement solely based on this information. Always seek the advice of your health care provider first. Full Disclaimer