Affordable In Home Help and Traveling with Seniors
Summer is a highly traveled time of year for most people. The weather is warmer and attractions are open for visitors. As you may already know, traveling with an aging loved one can be complicated at times. It is important to keep our aging loved ones actively involved in family outings, including on vacations.
If you are traveling with an aging loved one, remember that they may need their medications and if you are planning to be away for an extended period of time, look into the requirements for refills. Keep in mind some medicines require refrigeration and you may need to plan for a cooler when you travel. If traveling by plane, it is best to keep medications in your carryon luggage in case of lost belongings or delays. It may also benefit you and your loved one to get a health check by their doctor to make sure they are healthy enough for travel. If your aging loved one uses a wheelchair, you may consider wearing a backpack to assist with carrying your belongings. In some cases, borrowing an airport wheelchair may make traveling easier for you, even if your loved one does not use one on a daily basis.
You may find that approaching the vacation plans with your aging loved one may help to alleviate any emotional anxiety they may feel about traveling. Flight delays and cancellations stress the average person out and can be especially nerve wracking for your elderly loved one. Bring along some cards or their favorite reading materials to help distract them from the commotion of the hustle and bustle of the airport.
When traveling with an elderly loved one, it is important to remember to allow yourselves extra time when flying, taking a train, boat or bus. Our aging loved ones tend to not to move as quickly and will need the assistance when boarding. You may want to look your travel provider’s website or call ahead to see if there are any special services available for seniors. When traveling by plane, bus or train, it may be best to reserve seats at the front so they won’t have to navigate through the small aisles. If you are traveling by car, remember to take frequent bathroom breaks to allow them to stretch their legs and freshen up.
Dehydration can cause many problems when traveling. Not getting enough fluids while flying can pose serious issues for an aging loved one, especially those coping with diabetes. Make sure your loved one consumes plenty of fluids and keep bottled water or a refillable thermos by them at all times. It is important to remember that caffeinated beverages are dehydrating and won’t help, so push juice, milk or water to your aging loved one hydrated and refreshed.
Traveling with an aging loved one does not have to be a stressful task. If you plan ahead to keep your senior loved one comfortable and safe, you can enjoy your trip together and help them to remain active in your family life. Tips for Traveling Seniors and Affordable In Home Help from Senior Helpers of Santa Barbara, Goleta, Lompoc, Santa Ynez, and Carpinteria, California. Call 805-687-7777 today! Senior Helpers of Santa Barbara provides a wide range of services include Alzheimer’s and dementia care, personal assistance, companionship, and so much more.