Traveling Tips for the Elderly
Traveling with older adults can be a rich and fulfilling experience for the entire family. Yes, it involves added responsibilities and a few compromises, but the time you spend discovering new things and sharing experiences with your elders is something you — and your children — will cherish for a lifetime.
In addition to the usual packing lists and numerous confirmation codes you’ll need to know, seniors have specific health and lifestyle needs that could shake up your travel itinerary a bit. If you are currently planning a summer getaway with a grandparent, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Schedule a doctor visit before your trip.
First, there are the health concerns to consider before traveling.
Your parent most likely has a regular physician they have been going to for a while. Schedule a visit (or at least a conversation) with them to discuss any concerns or issues they might have about their patient traveling. Share with them the general itinerary of your trip and what physical activities and accommodations are planned in order to confirm that they can handle the exertion. As exhausting as travel can be for any of us, it can be much more so as we age.
Check medication supplies.
Make sure their list of medications is up-to-date and that their prescriptions are filled! If your parent takes medication at different times throughout the day, you might consider setting alarms on your smart phone or watch to make sure you don’t miss a dose. We’ve all experienced how traveling anywhere can break our routines and our sense of time can be distorted.
Double-check any specialized equipment.
Give any mobility equipment mom or dad uses a thorough inspection. Canes, walkers, wheelchairs, or other equipment that require regular maintenance should be checked prior to departure. There’s no worse time to need a repair or replacement than when you’re far away from the familiarity of home.
Plan for down time for both you and them.
Finally, when planning your itinerary, build in some down time for everybody, as well as some alone time for your parents. Constant social interaction can be wearing, so scheduled breaks or time alone at different points throughout the day can be very beneficial for everyone.
Alma Health understand the needs of your elderly loved one. We suggest a few other things to consider when traveling:
- Carefully consider the destination and length of trip
- Consider alternate modes of transportation
- Make a packing list
- Plan for breaks
- Watch the weather
- Schedule alone time
- Don’t forget a camera
Happy travels!
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[post_content] => Traveling with older adults can be a rich and fulfilling experience for the entire family. Yes, it involves added responsibilities and a few compromises, but the time you spend discovering new things and sharing experiences with your elders is something you — and your children — will cherish for a lifetime.
In addition to the usual packing lists and numerous confirmation codes you’ll need to know, seniors have specific health and lifestyle needs that could shake up your travel itinerary a bit. If you are currently planning a summer getaway with a grandparent, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Schedule a doctor visit before your trip.
First, there are the health concerns to consider before traveling.
Your parent most likely has a regular physician they have been going to for a while. Schedule a visit (or at least a conversation) with them to discuss any concerns or issues they might have about their patient traveling. Share with them the general itinerary of your trip and what physical activities and accommodations are planned in order to confirm that they can handle the exertion. As exhausting as travel can be for any of us, it can be much more so as we age.
Check medication supplies.
Make sure their list of medications is up-to-date and that their prescriptions are filled! If your parent takes medication at different times throughout the day, you might consider setting alarms on your smart phone or watch to make sure you don’t miss a dose. We’ve all experienced how traveling anywhere can break our routines and our sense of time can be distorted.
Double-check any specialized equipment.
Give any mobility equipment mom or dad uses a thorough inspection. Canes, walkers, wheelchairs, or other equipment that require regular maintenance should be checked prior to departure. There’s no worse time to need a repair or replacement than when you’re far away from the familiarity of home.
Plan for down time for both you and them.
Finally, when planning your itinerary, build in some down time for everybody, as well as some alone time for your parents. Constant social interaction can be wearing, so scheduled breaks or time alone at different points throughout the day can be very beneficial for everyone.
Alma Health understand the needs of your elderly loved one. We suggest a few other things to consider when traveling:
- Carefully consider the destination and length of trip
- Consider alternate modes of transportation
- Make a packing list
- Plan for breaks
- Watch the weather
- Schedule alone time
- Don't forget a camera