When you're sick, traveling can be the least appealing thing in the world. Unfortunately, sometimes you need to travel while you're sick or injured. If you become injured or ill while away from home, you may need to take a flight to get back to your home country or state. In some cases, you may need to get on a plane to receive specialized medical care in a particular hospital. When you're too sick to travel on your own, a medical escort company can help you. Here are four things a medical escort can do for you:

1. Give you somewhere safe to rest.

Commercial flights are often cramped and crowded. Sitting upright in a small seat for hours can be difficult or even impossible depending on the severity of your illness or injury. During a medical flight, there will be a special area prepared for you to rest. You will have the opportunity to lie down on a cot, out of the way of flight crew members and other passengers. Your medical escort company will make all the necessary arrangements and see to it that you aren't disturbed.

2. Provide medical assistance during the flight.

Hopefully, you won't require any critical medical assistance while you're on the plane, but if you do, you'll be glad to know there are medical personnel ready to help you. A medical escort company will send at least one nurse or paramedic with you, so they can provide any care you may need.

3. Help you navigate the travel experience.

Travel can be overwhelming at the best of times, especially when you aren't feeling your best. People with cognitive impairments may especially have difficulties remembering where their flight gate is, and they can easily get lost while traveling alone. A medical escort company provides support for people with cognitive impairments. If you suffer from dementia or Alzheimer's and you need to travel for medical reasons, a medical escort can ensure you arrive safely at your destination.

4. Provide assistance in non-emergencies.

When you have an acute emergency, emergency services will provide an ambulance or emergency air transport to get you help. However, in non-emergency situations where you still need to travel to medical care, you don't have this option. A medical escort company fills that need. They will help you travel long distances to receive care, even when your condition is not a matter of life and death.