By Brad & Dara Trout
After what felt like our own little Monsoon Season in Chester County, summer is finally here! Thoughts turn to summer vacations and “down the shore” weekends! But what if you are caring for a senior parent or other relative? That adds complexity to the travel equation. Here are some tips for travelling with seniors:
- Have your senior see the doctor and dentist before you leave. Getting a pre-trip physical or checkup may uncover problems at home where they are much more easily dealt with. If your travel is international, be sure to consult a travel clinic for any vaccines or preventive medications that are advised.
- Pack light! Simply put, seniors don’t usually need or want to change several outfits a day like the younger “jet set” might do. But do have enough spares for emergencies, especially if occasional incontinence is a concern.
- Request ground-floor rooms at motels/hotels. Why battle stairs or crowded elevators, possibly several times per day, if not necessary?
- Ship gifts ahead. Often seniors are traveling to see relatives or friends and want to bring gifts. Why manage these packages along the way when shipping is usually an inexpensive option these days? Timing is also quite predictable, so gifts can easily be planned to arrive when you do.
- Carry at least several days of medication with you, preferably in original pharmacy containers. If individual pills are spilled or misplaced, having the filling pharmacy label allows the local pharmacy to call back home and make temporary arrangements in many cases.
- Use a suitcase with wheels. Many seniors are still lugging that old blue suitcase from 1960. It’s bulky and hard to manage. Today’s modern travel bags are lighter, stronger, and have wheels!
- Travel insurance can be worthwhile! Seniors sometimes lose the ability to travel at the last minute, and travel insurance is usually an affordable way to protect against losing the entire cost of the trip.
- Consider cruises. Cruises provide all the amenities with less of the travel chores. Once aboard the ship, everything needed for the entire vacation can be available without any additional travel except walking (or wheelchair).
- Consider senior-focused trips. With today’s aging population, many travel companies are offering itineraries specifically targeted to seniors. Likewise, travelling with other seniors can help slow the pace to a comfortable level.
This link includes some specific tips if you trip includes air travel.
What if mom or dad just can’t travel? Travel can be a taxing experience if they have physical or cognitive difficulties. Respite care can be the answer.
Respite care is short term care, either in a senior living facility or in the home, that allows the primary family caregiver(s) to take a much needed break, while providing the necessary care for the senior who stays behind.
For more information or help to keep your seniors living at home, contact Dara or Brad Trout today at (610) 590-4888 or via email at [email protected].
You can also visit Seniors Helping Seniors blog on senior care topics on the web at www.seniorcareexton.com/blog & you can refer any senior caregivers interested in part time employment to http://seniorcareexton.com/Want-to-Help.html.
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Top photo credit: White Beach Chairs In Virgin Islands via photopin (license)
