Soon people will start traveling for the holidays. Taking your senior parent on a trip to see friends and family for the holidays can be great for you and for them. But depending on how far you are traveling and what method of travel you are using there are some things that you should do to make traveling easier on both your senior parent and on you. With a little foresight and preparation everyone can have a safe and comfortable trip. Use these holiday travel tips for seniors when you’re traveling this year:

Go By Car If You Can

If it’s possible to get to your destination by car instead of plane consider going by car. Even if it takes an extra day it’s worth it because you and your senior parent will be much more comfortable traveling by car. In a car you can control when you stop and start. You will also have more space for everyone to spread out and there’s no danger that you’re going to have to spend the night sitting on the floor of an airport if your flight is cancelled.

Rent A Van

If you do decide to journey by car consider renting a comfortable passenger van if you don’t have one. Your senior parent may not be comfortable sitting crammed into your small family sedan for a long trip and a minivan or SUV may not offer enough room for your senior loved one to sit comfortably and to sit in a way that avoids giving them swollen ankles or a pinched nerve in the back. Renting a van or a large vehicle will give everyone the space they need to stretch out and arrive safely and comfortably.

Plan For Frequent Stops

When planning out the route that you will take make sure that you plan for plenty of pitstops. And make sure that you stop in an area with a decent bathroom where your senior loved one can use the bathroom safely without having to walk a long distance. Taking a few minutes to stretch and walk around will be as good for you as it is for your senior loved one.

Bring Lots Of Water And Healthy Snacks

Do you remember when you used to pack snacks for the kids on all family vacations? Well know you’ll have to do that for your senior parent as well as the rest of the family. Stock a cooler with water, juice, sandwiches, fruit, and other healthy foods and snacks. It’s important that your senior loved one stays on their normal healthy diet and sticks to foods that they know will be easy on their stomachs when traveling. Bland food with complex carbohydrates is really the best choice of snack and travel foods for seniors should be light enough that they won’t cause any gastrointestinal discomfort. Protein shakes, peanut butter sandwiches, and crackers are all good choices.

Rely on Help from Home Care Assistance

If possible, bring your senior’s home care assistance provider along with you when you travel. Your senior parent will have the support they need from mobility to personal care tasks and everything in between. Home care assistance is vital at home and on the road to ensure your senior’s safety and security. Consider the many benefits of home care for your senior today.

Source
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/senior-citizens

If you are considering home care assistance in Cinco Ranch, TX, for an aging loved one, please call the caring staff at At Your Side Home Care. We will answer all of your senior care questions. Call today: (832) 271-1600.

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Donna Wrabel, LMSW

Co-Owner at At Your Side Home Care

For most of us, the word "home" evokes warm feelings of comfort, security and well-being. For older adults, home also means holding tight to cherished memories and maintaining self-esteem and independence. When illness, injury or age make life a little more challenging, remaining at home in a comfortable, familiar environment encourages recovery and enhances the quality of life. Home can be defined as a private residence, an independent or assisted living facility or even a short term stay in the hospital, we recognize the additional benefits provided by a personal, professional assistant.

Our Certified Nurse Aides, 24-Hour Live-in Assistants and Home Health Aides are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also provide the security and confidence of 24-hour Telephone Assistance, so fast, reliable help is always available when it's needed. To learn more about our homecare services see our homecare services page.

Different people need different levels of homecare. To meet the requirements of our clients, At Your Side Homecare maintains consistent staffing levels of caring professionals. Homecare service is available for as little as a few hours a week, or as many as 24 hours a day, seven days a week

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