3 Tips For Taking A Trip With Your Elderly Parents

Taking a trip with your family is a great way to experience unforgettable things together as well as strengthen the bonds you’ve already spent years building together. But while traveling in and of itself can be stressful, traveling with your elderly parents, who may have health or physical issues that they need help with, can present a whole new set of obstacles. Luckily, many of these obstacles can be overcome with a little patience and planning.

To show you how this can be done, here are three tips for taking a trip with your elderly parents.

Choose The Right Destination And Accommodations

Figuring out the logistics, including the destination and accommodations, for your trip will play a big part in how successful your travels with your elderly parents go.

According to John Lee, a contributor to The Globe and Mail, the best destinations to visit with seniors are places where there are easily accessible activities to be done in the morning and afternoon, leaving the evenings for getting rest and preparing for the next day ahead. As for accommodations, you’ll want to find a place that’s either big enough for everyone to share while also having their own space or something that has separate yet close rooms so you can be there for your parents if and when they need something.

Take Things Slow With Frequent Breaks

Ideally, you should plan to coordinate your travels around what the least active member of your party can do. Because of this, it might require that others go slower or take more breaks than they normally would. But in order to have a fun and happy trip with your elderly parents, this is just something you have to come to terms with.

Liz O’Donnell, a contributor to Care.com, shares that during your actual travels to your final destination, you need to make sure that you’re not pushing your elderly parents too hard and that you take frequent breaks, especially if you’re driving. By doing this, you’ll ensure that everyone has the energy to enjoy themselves once you get to your destination.

Pack Smart

Packing for your elderly parents can require you to think ahead a bit more than you’re used to.

According to Emily Brennan, a contributor to The New York Times, you’ll want to be sure that you take any necessary medical equipment or supplies with you, including all medications. To be safest, pack the medication so that you can keep it on your person at all times, as bags can always get lost while you’re traveling. Additionally, make sure you know exactly what medication your elderly parent takes and what it’s generic name is, in case you need to get more of it while you’re away.

If you’re going to be traveling with your elderly parent soon, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you do so safely and successfully.

 

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