Family vacations are meant to be fun for everyone involved, but for family caregivers, we know caring for a loved one in unfamiliar circumstances can make it hard to fully unwind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re a family caregiver, there\u2019s some good news: With a little preparation, you can ensure everyone\u2014including yourself\u2014has a good time on your next family vacation. Proper planning can turn disasters into annoyances, and annoyances into speed bumps. Everything you can handle ahead of time is something you won\u2019t have to worry about once you arrive, and with everything already done, you can kick back and enjoy yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After years of helping seniors and family caregivers relax on vacations, here are our favorite senior travel safety tips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you\u2019re traveling with a senior, the right place to stay is the foundation of an enjoyable trip. Here are some of the top things to look for in your vacation lodgings:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Take your time researching the property and make sure it accommodates your loved one\u2019s physical needs. For example, if they use a walker or a wheelchair, make sure there are ramps, elevators and other accessibility features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ask questions about other things that might also impact them. For example, one senior we know found that the bed in their vacation rental was too high for them to get into. They ended up having to borrow a step riser from the gym downstairs\u2014not a great way to start a getaway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your destination has an elevator, ask whether it\u2019s functioning properly. We\u2019ve personally seen many families disappointed to learn on arrival that the elevator in their vacation home doesn\u2019t actually work. Rental property managers are now legally required to inspect elevators<\/a> in North Carolina, but other states and countries may not have the same rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many seniors benefit from having a place they can retreat to if they feel tired or overwhelmed, so it can help to make sure your lodgings include a private room of some kind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep your loved one\u2019s needs in mind when considering their private room. How easy does it need to be for them to reach it? How far do they need to be from noise and light? How long does it take them to recharge?<\/p>\n\n\n\n When picking a vacation spot, it\u2019s helpful to look for amenities that will allow your loved one to replicate as much of their regular home routine as possible. For example, if they start their day with a cup of tea, bring along their preferred brew. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you take regular vacations together, consider going to the same place every time. Not only does this create a sense of familiarity and routine, it\u2019s also a great way to start a lasting family tradition. Over several visits, you could gradually get to know the locals together, share stories of past trips and discuss what you\u2019re looking forward to next time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s best to get a spot with a nice view if possible. Your loved one might not be able to go out adventuring themselves, but watching their children and grandchildren enjoy the summer from a sunny veranda can be the next best thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reliable cell phone service can make all the difference in an emergency. Do your research in advance to make sure your provider has good reception where you\u2019re going. If not, a solid wi-fi connection may do in a pinch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Make sure you know where to go in case of an emergency, whether it\u2019s an urgent care center or an ER. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Packing a few medical documents can keep everything you need to know at hand in case of emergency. We recommend bringing info on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re heading out of the country or on a cruise, make sure to look into what their insurance offers abroad. Depending on where you\u2019re going and the services available there, it may be worth purchasing additional travel health insurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019ve found the perfect vacation spot, it\u2019s time to make sure your other plans are doable. Travel companies may be able to provide extra accommodations with advance notice, so don\u2019t be shy about calling ahead. Even if they don\u2019t have an official policy, it never hurts to ask!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Get a vehicle that\u2019s neither too low nor too high to get into and has plenty of space for mobility aids. The same goes for any other form of transit you arrange, whether it\u2019s a tour bus, a gondola or a trolley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you\u2019re arranging an activity, the facility may have specialty accessibility equipment available if you ask. For example, seaside resorts often have beach wheelchairs you can borrow or rent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Many seniors need to rest after too much time on their feet or talking with a large family group. Make sure to arrange the schedule so there\u2019s always a way for your loved one to sit down or opt out if they get tired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One easy way to help with this is to just keep a loose itinerary, with lots of breathing room between scheduled activities, with stops back where you\u2019re staying so they can decompress if needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When it\u2019s time to pack, there are a few things to bring that could make your loved one\u2019s trip more comfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For a more detailed packing checklist, check out these summer travel tips for seniors<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Seniors are often sensitive to changes in temperature, so make sure to pack clothing for whatever weather you\u2019re likely to find.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No matter where you\u2019re headed, make sure to pack your loved one a light sweater, and maybe a small blanket too. Airplanes tend to be chilly, and in hot climates, buildings tend to crank the AC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Older adults often have specific meal schedules, so make sure they will have food available when they expect it. Keep some of their favorite snacks on hand in case they get hungry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bring a water bottle as well. Seniors are prone to dehydration, especially when it\u2019s hot, so it\u2019s crucial to help them stay hydrated. Flavor packets can help, especially if the local water tastes different than what they\u2019re used to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eating foods outside their regular diet may give your loved one gastrointestinal issues. If they take a digestive aid\/antacid, use incontinence briefs or need anything else to help with food outside their regular diet, make sure to pack it\u2014and bring the brands they prefer. If they like Tums, pack Tums\u2014not Rolaids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The flight to your destination is not the time for your loved one to prove what they\u2019re capable of; it\u2019s the time to conserve energy for the exciting vacation ahead. Walking across a major airport terminal is a feat for someone of any age, let alone a senior\u2014and it\u2019s not worth the effort. Talk to them ahead of time about taking advantage of the in-terminal transportation to get to your gate. That way, they\u2019ll have the energy for what really matters: Enjoying their time with family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you arrive at your destination, do a quick walkthrough:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now comes the fun part: It\u2019s time to kick back, relax, and enjoy your vacation. Everyone deserves a break, and family caregivers more than most. Make sure to give yourself time to rest and take lots of pictures!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, remember that not everything will go completely right, and that\u2019s okay. Be kind to yourself, utilize the preparations you\u2019ve made and know that the vacation is more enjoyable for everyone because of your hard work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Have more questions about planning ahead for vacation? You don\u2019t have to do it alone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You have experts to lean on, like our Family Care Navigator, Elizabeth Willis<\/a>, who provided most of the information in this blog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although born in Chicago, Elizabeth grew up in Charlotte and considers herself a native of our Queen City. She is a graduate of UNC Charlotte with a bachelor\u2019s degree in public health and a master\u2019s degree in gerontology. She also worked as an activities director at an assisted living community in south Charlotte and later became a licensed senior real estate specialist, as well as an adjunct professor at UNCC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you need direct help or you\u2019re just looking for advice, please contact us<\/a>. A professional caregiver from FirstLight Home Care of Greater Charlotte<\/a> can make preparations far easier. They can help you plan, pack and meet your loved one\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" With a little preparation, you can help everyone\u2014including yourself\u2014have a good time on your next family vacation with these senior travel safety tips.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41,"featured_media":2192,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[15,20,13,21,43],"class_list":["post-2191","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-senior-safety","tag-companion-care-services","tag-home-care","tag-home-care-charlotte","tag-home-care-in-charlotte","tag-senior-travel-safety"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.firstlighthomecare.com\/home-healthcare-charlotte\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2191","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.firstlighthomecare.com\/home-healthcare-charlotte\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.firstlighthomecare.com\/home-healthcare-charlotte\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.firstlighthomecare.com\/home-healthcare-charlotte\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.firstlighthomecare.com\/home-healthcare-charlotte\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2191"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.firstlighthomecare.com\/home-healthcare-charlotte\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2191\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.firstlighthomecare.com\/home-healthcare-charlotte\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2192"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.firstlighthomecare.com\/home-healthcare-charlotte\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2191"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.firstlighthomecare.com\/home-healthcare-charlotte\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2191"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.firstlighthomecare.com\/home-healthcare-charlotte\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2191"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Private Space<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Familiarity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A View<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cell Phone Reception<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Access to Emergency Services<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Know Their Medical Needs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Build a Solid Travel Plan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Get Accessible Transit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Arrange Assistance for Activities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Give Them an Out<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Pack Right<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Dress for the Weather<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Bring Snacks and Water<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Digestive Aids<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Get Help at the Airport<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Do a Final Walkthrough<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Enjoy Yourself<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Get Support<\/h2>\n\n\n\n