Eldercare professionals know that traveling with seniors is not always easy, particularly if your loved one has limited mobility or a health condition. But this doesn't mean that your senior cannot enjoy a family vacation! With the right planning, homecare providers know that you can take your elderly loved one on a trip to remember.
Discuss the Needs of Your Senior
Consider the challenges that your elderly loved one will face during the travel experience. For instance, a senior who has limited mobility may need access to a wheelchair or walker. Additionally, an elderly individual who has a health condition that requires a high degree of attention may need all of the services that homecare professionals offer while on the road.
When thinking about the challenges that your family will face when traveling with your senior, write down any concerns that you have and make sure that you address all of them before leaving so that you can create the best experience possible for your loved one.
Staying Organized
Ultimately, taking an organized approach to packing and planning can make all the difference in terms of the positivity of your experience. First and foremost, make sure that your elderly loved one has all of the things they will need for the trip packed in a way that will allow them to access these items easily. This includes medications, entertainment (books, crosswords, etc.), clothing, personal hygiene items, and more.
Another aspect of staying organized that is important in this situation is having an itinerary that will allow your senior to enjoy their travels. For instance, you will certainly want to have all transportation booked ahead of time to minimize the need to wait for cabs or shuttles. Go ahead and book transportation to and from the airport, train station, or other transportation hub to make getting to and from the hotel as easy as possible. Additionally, you will want to make certain that all of the venues that you visit are accessible to your senior if they require a wheelchair.
Bring Assistance
Depending upon the needs of your senior and the nature of your trip, it might prove beneficial to bring a home care professional along. Speak with your eldercare provider to determine if this is the right decision for your loved one.
Make sure to have a plan for medical emergencies. This is something that many people do not want to think about, but it is important for everybody to plan for, especially seniors. First of all, check into health insurance, there are plenty of seniors travel insurance options available. Make sure that everyone in your party has long term care partnership policies that will work in the destination areas on your itinerary.
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