Preparing for Holiday Travel with Your Elder Parent

Elder Care Mooresville NC

The holiday season is right around the corner and that means that many families are looking forward to coming together to celebrate this joyous time of the year. This might mean piling into the car or hopping on a plane and traveling to another location for the celebration. If you have taken on the role of being a family caregiver since the last holiday, this once familiar activity must now take on new meaning and new preparation. Traveling with an elder parent for the holidays can be challenging, but with some preparation you can feel confident that you will be able to handle this task and still enjoy the holidays as much as you ever have.

Use these tips to prepare for holiday travel with your aging parent:

• Make plans well in advance. Plan for your travel as far in advance as possible. This not only gives you the best chances of making the arrangements that are ideal for your loved one and for you, but it allows you plenty of time to talk to your parent about the plans so that they can get accustomed to them and prepare themselves. This is especially important if your elder parent is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.

• Consider staying in a hotel. If you have always stayed with a relative during the holidays, considering changing that this year and staying in a hotel instead. Staying in a hotel provides plenty of space and privacy for your aging parent so that they are able to manage their needs and limitations in a way that does not interfere with others. This is particularly valuable if they need assistance with potentially sensitive tasks such as bathing or toileting. Staying in a hotel gets you out of the way of the rest of the family and provides a secure, comfortable, and calm location for your parent to rest, relax, and receive their care.

• Allow for extra time. Whether you are driving, flying, or riding the train to your destination, allow for extra time in each leg of your journey. Remember that traveling with an elderly adult can mean more stops, more luggage, and a slower pace, so it is important to adjust for these when planning your itinerary. Already knowing that you are going to take more time to handle each step of the journey, from getting from your home to the transportation, to the actually journey, to arriving at your destination, allows you to relax and not get frustrated or nervous when your usual timeline does not stick. You may even want to consider a mid-journey stop if the drive is more than a few hours. This will help to keep everyone in their best spirits and reduce the risk of potentially dangerous travel issues such as blood clots.

• Streamline your luggage. Try not to pack the car with so much that it impedes anyone’s range of motion, or to drag along so much luggage to the train or plane that it is difficult to maintain control. This only leads to discomfort and stress for everyone involved. Instead, pack lightly and consider shipping items such as gifts, medical supplies, and heavy clothing ahead of you so that they are ready for you when you arrive.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Elder Care Services in Mooresville NC, please contact the caring staff at Tender Hearted Home Care today. (704) 612-4132.