Do your summer vacation plans involve including an elderly relative in your trip to the shore, mountains or summer home? These tips will help things go more smoothly.
Parking. If you will be parking in a location that requires any amount of walking, bring your handicapped parking sticker. Get the sticker if you don’t already have one and bring it even if you don’t expect to do much walking. Being able to park close to your destination will make it easier on everyone.
Airports. As seniors age, traveling can provoke anxiety. Make sure that the airport can accommodate you at the terminals at both your point of departure and destination. If your loved one is flying alone, consider identifying someone to escort him or her through the airport or make arrangements for skycap to transport your loved one to the gate.
Packing. Details tend to be stressful for many older adults so pack their bags for them. Don’t forget prescription medications, a sun visor and sunscreen.
Mobility. If walking at a site is required, take a walker or arrange for a wheelchair or motorized cart to be waiting for you at your destination. It’s always a good idea to call ahead to find out what accommodations are offered. Keep in mind that what your elderly loved one could easily do a few years ago may no longer be effortless.
Hydration. Keep elderly loved ones well hydrated. Seniors are far more susceptible to the sunburn, heat-related illness and dehydration than younger family members. Dehydration in seniors can mimic symptoms of dementia.
Caregivers. It’s particularly important that you encourage family caregivers to take a break during vacation travel. If you’re traveling with members of the extended family, having the elderly loved one visit with other relatives can offer much-needed respite for the primary caregiver. We’ll talk next time about what to do if the loved one’s primary caregiver is the one who needs to a getaway.
If your elderly loved one admits that he or she is anxious about any part of the trip, you might want to think twice about pushing them out of their comfort zone. But don’t make the mistake of assuming that just because someone is older, he or she can’t participate in the family’s vacation plans. With a little common sense, everyone will have a great time with enough memories to last a lifetime.
