The winter months can bring a lot of changes and challenges for seniors. Colder weather, shorter days, and darker mornings can adversely affect their overall health, safety, and daily routine. There’s no wonder why many seniors have taken to temporarily settling down near our many W. Volusia County, FL beaches.
Typically, seniors and their families focus on preparing the homes they will temporarily vacate. However, there are essential things you can do to ensure seniors are safe as they travel and get the home care they need to enjoy the sunshine state.
Seniors that choose to drive should also ensure that they’ve gone ahead and had their car maintenance checked before traveling. Getting them or renewing membership to AAA may even make a great early holiday present. Also, be sure they have an emergency roadside kit and emergency medical kit stored in the car. Make sure nothing in either kit is expired.
Typically, seniors and their families focus on preparing the homes they will temporarily vacate. However, there are essential things you can do to ensure seniors are safe as they travel and get the home care they need to enjoy the sunshine state.
Share Travel Plans 🗺️
It’s important to know where your loved ones will be while on the way to their home for the winter. Seniors that choose to fly should prepare a list of the airports they will be flying to and from, the airlines they’re flying with, what time they will be departing and arriving, and how they’ll be getting from the airport to their destination. For those who chose the road, share the routes you will be taking and any stops along the way with family and friends. Tools such as MapQuest or Google Maps can be used to create a visual guide for families to follow.Seniors that choose to drive should also ensure that they’ve gone ahead and had their car maintenance checked before traveling. Getting them or renewing membership to AAA may even make a great early holiday present. Also, be sure they have an emergency roadside kit and emergency medical kit stored in the car. Make sure nothing in either kit is expired.
Research Local Resources 🔍
No matter how big or small, emergencies can happen while traveling to and spending time in the Florida sun. Seniors and family members should have handy a list of local resources they can turn to, including the phone numbers and locations of:- Emergency services
- Hospitals or other medical centers (note those in network and not)
- Pharmacies
- Gas stations and auto repair shops
- Senior centers and home care agencies
Help With Packing 🧳
Helping your loved one's pack can give you some time to spend with them before they leave, as well as provide peace of mind knowing they have everything they need. Key items to have with them include:- Medications and any records needed for refills
- Any medical records to quickly share with emergency services and medical centers
- A card with a list of medications, how much to take, and when
- Phone numbers of their primary care physician, specialists, and pharmacies to send medication to
- A document listing their medical history; including any recent surgeries or procedures
- Forwarding addresses for any medical equipment that will need to be shipped to their residence
- Medical aids such as glasses, hearing aids, blood sugar monitors and test strips, braces, walking aids, etc.
- Proper clothes for their destination and proper clothes for the trip back
- Chargers for all electronic devices and the devices themselves
- ID, credit cards, tickets, and other important travel-related documents