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.
If you’re a family caregiver, there’s some good news: With a little preparation, you can ensure everyone—including yourself—has 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’t have to worry about once you arrive, and with everything already done, you can kick back and enjoy yourself.
After years of helping seniors and family caregivers relax on vacations, here are our favorite senior travel safety tips.
Accessibility
Take your time researching the property and make sure it accommodates your loved one’s physical needs. For example, if they use a walker or a wheelchair, make sure there are ramps, elevators and other accessibility features.
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—not a great way to start a getaway.
Private Space
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.
Keep your loved one’s 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?
Familiarity
When picking a vacation spot, it’s 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.
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’s 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’re looking forward to next time.
Know Their Medical Needs
Packing a few medical documents can keep everything you need to know at hand in case of emergency. We recommend bringing info on:
- Their medication list, and when/how to administer them
- Their diagnoses and how they impact their daily life
- Any dietary restrictions or needs they might have, including those related to their medications
- Who their doctors are, how to get in touch, and whether they offer telehealth visits
- Their emergency plans and contacts
- Their health insurance information, and what’s covered
If you’re heading out of the country or on a cruise, make sure to look into what their insurance offers abroad. Depending on where you’re going and the services available there, it may be worth purchasing additional travel health insurance.
Enjoy Yourself
Now comes the fun part: It’s 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!
Also, remember that not everything will go completely right, and that’s okay. Be kind to yourself, utilize the preparations you’ve made and know that the vacation is more enjoyable for everyone because of your hard work.
Get Support
Have more questions about planning ahead for vacation? You don’t have to do it alone.
Whether you need direct help or you’re just looking for advice, please contact us. A professional caregiver from Gentle Shepherd Home Care Charlotte can make preparations far easier. They can help you plan, pack and meet your loved one’s needs.