Extra planning needed when travelling with an elderly person

Submitted by admin on Sat, 05/29/2010 - 4:09pm

As summer approaches, many people will be vacationing with aging parents or friends. It is such a generous and kind thing to take an aging person on a trip, but a trip with an older friend requires more advanced planning. No one wants to be out of town or on the road and have a vacation spoiled when some unexpected issue arises.

Lynn Wilson, founder of the CareGiver Partnership says:

"Caregiving and family travel both can be highly rewarding, but also have the potential to be stressful," says Lynn Wilson, Founder of The CareGiver Partnership. "Whether you're planning to vacation with a loved one who needs special care – or looking for peace of mind while a loved one stays home – the key words for success are plan, plan, and plan."

CareGiver Partnership suggests the following:

  1. Plan for additional time in traveling.
  2. Consider whether you need and can afford a caregiver to travel with you.
  3. When flying, allow for longer times for connections between flights. Alert your airline for assistance with this.
  4. Be aware of food allergies and medicinal issues.
  5. Book hotel rooms on the first floor. If using separate rooms, reserve farther in advance so adjoining rooms can be reserved.
  6. Choose your destination with the limitations of your aging friend or family member in mind.
  7. Make sure you are well stocked with all needed medications.

In addition, Alzcare Inc., a provider of Alzheimer’s treatment centers in Texas suggests the following:

  1. Be sure to bring important documents with you regarding your loved ones condition.
  2. Plan engaging activities during travel.
  3. Pack plenty of snack foods and backup foods if special diets are involved.
  4. Make sure you bring extra changes of clothing. And make sure the clothing is comfortable and easy to remove.

Your vacation with your aging loved one can make a beautiful memory. Make sure you plan ahead so that it becomes just that.

Gordon Atkinson for Sodalis Elder Living in Texas.

Read the original article at the PR Newswire.

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