Everyone wants to have a memorable holiday. Seniors, in particular, would love to have more of it, as they know it will no longer be a regular thing. Their excitement will be great when told that a vacation is in the books. But with all that positive emotion comes some level of trepidation. After all, traveling with seniors, like kids, presents unique challenges.
Fortunately, traveling with seniors is achievable if you plan the trip well. The key is to plan early, so you and your loved ones won’t be overwhelmed by every challenge that comes your way.
Here are some tips and tricks to make traveling with seniors easy and enjoyable for everyone.
- Make Their Location The Starting Point Of Your Trip
Suppose your loved one has moved to a senior living facility like Vivante Living Newport, among others. Rather than have them travel to your location first, why not make their place the starting point of your holiday? It’s much safer and more accessible for seniors to travel when the distance they have to cover is shorter and when they’re not alone.
This takes extra effort, yes. But if you plan it out well, it’s something you can do to ensure the safety and comfort of your senior loved ones. You can also take this opportunity to visit and check their living conditions for peace of mind that even in your absence, they’re okay.
- Research About The Destination
Because you’re traveling with seniors, take the time to research more about your chosen itinerary. Like traveling with kids, there could be some destinations that aren’t great places for seniors. This is important if they have mobility problems or chronic conditions.
The last thing you’d want is to arrive at your destination and realize that even a simple thing like getting around is challenging. Your senior family members also deserve to enjoy the holiday, so research as much as possible before booking. It would be best to listen to their preferences as well. Then, pack and make reservations accordingly.
- Get A Pre-Trip Checkup
Once your trip’s schedule has been finalized, the next step is to get your loved one a pre-trip medical checkup. This assures everyone that your senior family member is healthy enough to travel.
During the pre-trip medical checkup, be sure to bring up matters like what medicines you’ll have to bring, what equipment they’ll use, and whether or not their care regimen needs to be adjusted in light of their activities.
If your senior loved one must bring prescription medications, be sure to secure a doctor’s note that explains in full why those medicines are needed. That way, you won’t get into trouble should you be held up and questioned about what the drugs are for.
- Take It Easy
When traveling with the elderly, being more realistic about the itinerary never hurts. This isn’t the time to pack every hour with exhausting tours and busy sprees. Expect a light and easy schedule, with tour-free days for everyone to go at their own pace.
Schedule times for relaxation not just for your senior loved one but also for yourself. If you’re bringing kids along, chances are you’ll be drained at the end of the day. Give them and everyone in the group a break. You’ll find that things are only as hectic as you make them be.
Above all, you should pay attention to what your senior loved one wants for their trip. Plan activities that you’re sure they will enjoy, like a walk around a winery, a visit to a farm, a tour of a museum, or a romp through a beautiful garden. As mentioned before, go at their pace.
- Stay Safe From Deep-Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
This fifth tip is worth remembering for those going somewhere super far.
Sitting in a tight seat for an extended period increases the risk of developing deep-vein thrombosis (DVT), especially for older adults. This is a condition where blood clots form in the veins due to poor circulation, usually inside the legs. When loosened, they can have serious consequences.
If your loved one has to sit in an economy seat, having them wear compression stockings helps. For long drives, take frequent breaks to walk and stretch your legs.
You can also check with your loved one’s doctor to learn more about protecting them against these health problems.
Give Them The Travel Experience They Deserve
Age and mobility problems shouldn’t hinder senior citizens from making the most of their time and seeing what the world has to offer. After all, travel is one of the best ways to break routines and bring back a feeling of discovery and adventure: things your loved ones deserve to experience.
The tips above don’t cover everything. But they should provide an excellent framework on which you can design your senior loved one’s ideal trip.
Start planning today.