Blog

Tips For Traveling With Seniors

October 25, 2019
Linda Kunicki
It’s fun to make memories with and to include your senior parent in your life. It helps to keep them active, to make them feel included, and to provide an escape from their daily home care routine for a bit. It’s also a great way for your children to bond with their Grandparent.

One way to make them feel extra-special is to include them in your family travel plans. Traveling with a senior can be a great experience for everyone, but can require a little thinking ahead. Here are some tips for making travel with your senior a breeze, so you can focus on fun!
  • Keep them comfortable - Whether you are driving or flying to your destination, keep in mind that senior’s often have needs that are different than our own. Dress them in layers so that they can cool down if they get warm, or layer up if they tend to be cold. Seat cushions can help for those who need extra padding, and be sure to give them opportunities to stretch their legs as you travel.
  • Be organized - Take some time to really think proactively about what your senior parent will need while they are away from their home care environment. Make sure that you have all of their medications and medical supplies and know when they need to take them. It’s also a good idea to have the names and numbers of their doctors with you in case of an emergency or medication question.
  • Give them input - When planning your destination or lodging for your trip, you might consider asking your senior for their input. This will allow them to feel included, and if you pick a place that they are excited about, it might save you from hearing some complaining later on. Plus, they may have some great ideas you hadn’t thought of!
  • Take pictures - It’s important to live in the moment, making sure you are getting to experience all of your activities in real-time, but our senior parents won’t be around forever and having pictures of the special moments spent together is a great way to memorialize them and your trip.
  • Slow down - Some seniors operate at slower pace than we do, so be sure that you are taking their needs into consideration as you travel. Seniors receiving home care are often used to certain routines, like naps and set bed and meal times. Do your best to accommodate their routines into your vacation plans so that they can be happy and rested and ready to make memories with your family.
  • Think ahead - As you plan your activities, remember to be thinking about whether or not your senior is equipped to handle your plans. Keep in mind that some places have stairs, uneven terrain, or may not have access to shaded areas for resting. Also ask about bathroom facilities and access, especially if you have a loved one with mobility issues.

Traveling with your senior parent can be amazing with a little forethought and a lot of fun!

IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE ARE CONSIDERING HOME CARE IN FOREST PARK, IL, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT BRIGHTSTAR CARE LA GRANGE. CALL TODAY: 708-551-2500.