Hi, Fellow Community Members!
Whether it’s young children or an older adult, vacations can be a special kind of challenge for in-home caregivers. The daily tasks that need to be done around the house often are compounded by the absence of a support system and familiar resources like pharmacies and groceries.
To say nothing of the physical challenges many older people face when traveling anywhere.
Don’t overlook opportunities to spend recreational time with family members young and old in the community where you live. Popularized as the "staycation", local options also present an opportunity to include other members of the extended family who otherwise may not be involved in day-to-day caregiving. At the same time, the company of those other family members at an enjoyable activity can provide the primary caregiver with a well-deserved respite.
Our professional caregivers have noted some of the following activities and attractions you can enjoy without the cost of a hotel room and still allow younger and older members of the family to have a good time … together.
Kid-Friendly Museums and other kid-friendly attractions
With exhibits designed for kids of all ages, these attractions often provide a chance for grandparents and youngsters to explore and learn together, whether your younger companions are in the “hey, look at me” stage or have graduated to science and technology. Some ideas that come to mind are:
South Florida Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton, (941) 746-4131, southfloridamuseum.org
Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary, 7101 Palmer Blvd., Sarasota, (941) 371-6377, bigcathabitat.org
John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, (941) 359-5700, ringling.org
Sarasota Children’s Garden, 1670 10th Way, Sarasota, (941) 330-1711, sarasotachildrensgarden.com
Here's an article from Sarasota Magazine with some great ideas as well: https://www.sarasotamagazine.com/articles/2014/1/3/26-great-things-kids-sarasota
Cultural Events
Outdoor concerts and plays generally are designed to appeal to a broad audience and may even give grandma or grandpa an excuse to remind their descendants that there was, indeed, a musical scene before streaming.
Check out Realize Bradenton's event calendar for their upcoming events: http://www.realizebradenton.com/events?gclid=CKO1usbHx9UCFUQmhgodX6sGrQ
You may alway want to check out the Escape to Sarasota website for upcoming events as well: http://www.escape-to-sarasota.com/august-sarasota-events.html
Historical Sites
What’s history to one generation might be current events to another. Historical sites and history museums sometimes spark conversations that can bridge the generation gap. Something as simple as a plaque commemorating a long-gone ballpark or train station can be brought to life by someone who actually was there.
Smaller Amusement Parks
In many communities, there still are smaller, old-fashioned amusement parks where rides may be less dramatic, but so are the lines and prices. You may even find one that features midway games, where age and experience often trumps youth and skill.
Nature Preserves
Nearby conservation areas usually combine accessible outdoor trails with indoor museum-type displays that explain the natural history and ecology of the area, so not everybody has to go on the hike to make the trip worthwhile.
Mixed Options
A couple of other options that might include a small investment in lodging are water parks and state parks. At the water park, younger guests have access to fun physical activity in a safe and supervised environment. In state parks, there are the usual hiking, swimming, fishing and other outdoor activities for the more adventurous. Meanwhile, those who have a more relaxed approach to recreation can enjoy the comforts of the attached hotel or park lodge, or even visit restaurants, shops or other attractions nearby.
The most important part of planning any family vacation, whether traveling a long distance or staying near home, is there is something of interest for everybody.
That includes the caregiver.
Your role may mean that your summer vacation experience will be different, but that doesn’t mean it has to be an additional source of stress for you or your loved ones.
Yours truly,
Jonathan Marsh
Thanks for reading our blog. At Home Helpers of Bradenton, we look to not only make life easier but to also make a difference in our clients’ lives. It is truly an honor to have an opportunity to work with members of our community and we take the trust bestowed to us very seriously.
Contact Home Helpers of Bradenton, FL for care for your Senior Care needs
For information about how Home Helpers of Bradenton can serve you and your family, call (941) 499-5946, email JMarsh@HomeHelpersHomeCare.com or visit In-Home Care for Seniors Bradenton FL - Home Helpers. Our senior home care services including homemaker care, companion care, personal care, Alzheimer's and dementia care, respite care, 24 hour care & live-in care, and monitoring and medical alert services are available in Manatee County and Sarasota County in and around the communities of Anna Maria, Bradenton, Bradenton Beach, Ellenton, Holmes Beach, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat Key, Myakka City, Palmetto, Parrish, and Sarasota. Our main office is located at 4230 59th St W, Ste C, Bradenton, FL 34209.
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