Traveling during the holiday season can be hectic under the best of circumstances, and usually you can count on at least one thing to go wrong during the trip. If you are traveling with a senior loved one this holiday season there are some things that you should keep in mind when you’re making your travel plans. Planning ahead and taking the needs of your senior loved one into account from the start will raise the chances that your trip will be less difficult for everyone. When you’re traveling with a senior loved one you should:
Leave Extra Time
Remember that your senior loved one is going to need more time than younger people when they travel. They won’t be able to run between airport gates or rush to get to a train. As you plan your itinerary leave extra time between legs of your journey and make sure you have a long layover between planes so that you’re not rushed. Leaving extra time also gives you a time cushion so that if there are other delays you won’t miss your flight or your train.
Ask For Help
Almost anywhere you go when you’re traveling you can ask for help and for adaptive devices to make things easier for your senior loved one. You can get wheelchairs, canes, carts for luggage, and other tools to make your travel easier. In some instances you may need to pay for adaptive devices so be prepared for that. And if you ask employees for help you will get lots of assistance with things like boarding the plane early so that your loved one doesn’t get knocked over, or being allowed to get off the plane first. You can ask for hotel rooms on the first floor, or rooms that have a senior-friendly bathroom, or ask to be seated in a certain spot in a restaurant.
Be Prepared
When you are traveling you should be ready for anything. When you’re traveling with a senior that means you should have extra bottles of their medication that you can easily access in case their luggage gets lost. Pack lots of snacks and water and at least one change of clothes for everyone. Pack extra phone chargers and other essentials too. The more prepared you are for any contingency the smoother the trip will go. Ask your senior home care provider to help you make sure that you have packed everything you might need.
Make Sure Your Senior Loved One Is Dressed For The Weather
If you are traveling somewhere where the weather is going to be very different than it is where you live make sure that your senior loved one is dressed for that. A senior home care provider can help you pack for your senior loved one if you need help. If you’re going somewhere where the weather is cold make sure you have packed sweaters, jackets, and warm socks and shoes. If you’re going somewhere where the weather is warm make sure that your senior loved one is wearing shorts or other appropriate clothing when you get there so they don’t become overheated.
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE IS CONSIDERING HIRING SENIOR HOME CARE IN CAMPBELL, CA, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT HOME HELPERS TODAY (408) 317-4969.
