Have you ever tried traveling with your elderly loved ones? Contrary to others’ belief, traveling with elderlies is fun. Aside from you can enjoy the senior citizen discounts, you won’t get bored because of their never-ending stories about their youth. However, it is true that traveling with them might be a little stressful for you especially if you are the only one going on a trip with them. But do not worry because in this article, we will discuss important points to avoid the hassle.
Why should you include your elderly loved-ones in your travel buddy list?
If travelling is important for you, so is for your parents and grandparents. Here’s why:
Physically Rewarding
Travelling is physically rewarding because when people reach 60, it is normal that their body becomes heavier and their endurance becomes weaker. Though golden age cannot be prevented, its effect may be slowed down if they continue to stay active. And one thing to do that is going on a trip wherein they can walk around and breathe some fresh air.
Emotionally Beneficial
Going on a trip is emotionally beneficial simply because seeing new places and meeting new people can bring happiness. Who doesn’t get excited and happy when you hear the word “travel”? Travelling offers a chance for them to be “outside of their world” and explore new things. It is also an opportunity for them to relive old memories and create new ones. They would surely feel extra happy when your family is complete in your vacation.
Promotes Mental Health
Leisure activities like travelling promote mental health. It is common that depression-related problems arise when your loved ones have reached their senior year. It is normal because the transition phase they are going through from being busy everyday to staying at home is really a big chunk to digest in. They may experience the sense of isolation, disconnection from society, as well as a feeling of useless and hopelessness in life. That is why, spending time outside of their usual environment is important because it may lessen the level of stress they are dealing with.
6 travel essentials to pack when traveling with elderlies
Traveling itself may be a little stressful because even if you plan this well, unexpected things may still arise. And you might think that your worry would double if you are with your elderly loved-ones. But here’s a thing, all you need is some tricks and tips for you and them to totally enjoy it.
Make a Simple Travel Plan
Now that you have decided to go on a trip with them, you need to make a simple itinerary for your travel plan. You need to consider their health. If you are planning for a long distance trip and you travel with a car, make sure to allot at least 10 to 15-minute travel breaks so that they can stretch their legs. Also, when you choose your travel destination and activities, consider your parents’ and grandparents’ health. Look for a destination and activities that are senior-friendly. As much as walking is a good exercise for them, you may want to limit the excessive walking in your plans.
Bring Packed Food
Have you ever noticed that when seniors get hungry, they also get grumpy? When you plan to go on a trip, bring lots of food. Most of the time when you dine in a restaurant, it may take some while for the food to be served. And they might throw some tantrums if they keep on waiting especially if it is really dining time already. In order to avoid that, bring some foods that they may enjoy while waiting for your orders to arrive.
Bring some water to save you from overpricing bottled water being sold in the place.
Make sure to bring their prescribed medicines
If you usually forget to bring some medicines with you when you travel, this time you should never forget your parents’ and grandparents’ prescribed medicines especially when travelling abroad. It would stress you out when the pharmacist tells you that the medicine you want to purchase is not available. Along with their prescribed medicines, bring as well medicines for fever and colds because their body might find it hard to adapt to the new weather. Include also medicine for allergies because the food you order from the restaurant might have ingredients that they are allergic to.
Bring Some Adult Diaper and Wet Wipes
Bring wet wipes and an adult diaper with you when you travel with seniors because it really comes very handy. Wet wipes is your trusted friend in cleaning yourself and your elderly loved ones up. Unlike your usual towelettes, wet wipes would not take much of your vanity bag space because they are neatly and closely folded together.
Moreover, it is essential to bring an adult diaper with you especially for long distance trips. Although you should include a CR break in your itinerary, too much CR break would cause major delay in your trip. Aside from that, sometimes available toilets in the gas stations are dirty.
Bring Extra Money for Shopping Spree and for Some Souvenirs
Shopping spree and buying some souvenirs are usual when you travel especially if you want to relive the memories someday. Special items that you bought can bring you back to the places you visit. You want to feel that that’s why you would buy one.
However, if you are with seniors one is not enough. In fact, they tend to buy more than you need in your house. Usually, they buy figurines and other items that are locally made. They would buy one for your house, one for their friends, and one for their siblings. You can’t stop them because they just love giving gifts to them. And when you pay the bill, whoa! You gotta need to make withdrawal because your allotted pocket money for souvenirs and shopping spree is not enough. That is why, you need to bring extra money especially if your currency’s destination is different from your country. Be prepared or else, it would stress you out.
Don’t Forget to Bring Lots of Patience
Patience is a virtue. Remember that always. So, don’t forget to bring lots of patience with you when you travel. Unexpected things may arise along the way that would stress you out. When you feel that you are on the edge of losing your patience, count one to 10 to calm down yourself. Also, think that you go on a trip with a goal of de-stressing and making new memories with them.
Final Thought
Travelling with seniors is not as famous as travelling with yourself, with your friends, or with your lover mainly because they might not be able to cope up with your energy. That is kind of true because as they get older, they get easily exhausted. However, wouldn’t be exciting if, once in a while, you go on a trip with them? Aside from the health benefits traveling can give to them, it can strengthen your relationship. So if you are looking for travel buddies for your next trip, why not ask your parents or grandparents? They would surely love your idea. My tip also is to bring a good camera that would capture your entire escapade. Take more photos as much as possible. Also, you might discover new things about your parents and grandparents and vice versa. As much as possible, plan a vacation to create new memories that you would forever treasure.