For many families, summer means road trips. Getting out and hitting the road with your family can be a fantastic opportunity to spend quality time together, build memories, and enjoy the season. When you are planning a road trip as a family caregiver, however, you have different considerations to keep in mind. It is important for you to not only plan for the needs of the rest of your family but to make sure your senior’s needs are met effectively and safely.
Use these tips to help you enjoy a family road trip with your senior parent:
Plan for extra time on your trip. Even if you think you know how long it should take to get to your destination, add extra time. This will enable you to take breaks when needed, which can be particularly important for your elderly parent. Be sure to encourage your parent to get out and walk around to protect them from blood clots.
Consider adding a stop. Even if you have gone on road trips many times and always driven straight through, this may be too challenging for your parent now that they are older and facing limitations. Consider planning for an overnight stop several hours into the trip so you can get out of the car, get a good night’s sleep, and start again fresh in the morning. This also enables your parent to manage their needs, such as taking medications or utilizing other treatments not practical in a car.
Pack carefully. You don’t want to crowd your aging parent with luggage, which can limit movement and increase the risk for circulation and other problems. But you also want to make sure they have access to what they may need during the trip. Pack a travel bag with items that will keep them comfortable and entertained during the trip, such as snacks, water, books, and a blanket, but keep the rest in a cargo area or on top of the vehicle.
Enjoy the journey. You might be excited to get to your destination, but when it comes to a road trip, the journey is just as important. Find ways to enjoy the journey even more, and encourage your parent to get involved. Find roadside sights to see, play games, enjoy a picnic or find other ways to add more fun and excitement into the ride.
Being a family caregiver for an aging adult can be difficult and stressful.
If you live at a distance from your parents, it can be even more challenging. Living too far from your senior to be able to be with them on a regular basis can make you feel as though they don’t have access to the care and support they need to manage their challenges and limitations in the ways they deserve. You may also worry that they could be facing difficulties you don’t know about, or be experiencing challenges that could risk their health and safety without support there to help them.
If you are dealing with this, now may be the perfect time for you to start thinking about elderly care. An elderly home care services provider can be in the home with your parent when you are not able to. This means your parent can receive completely personalized care services directed specifically at their own individual needs and challenges. This care provider can also act as a connection between you and your parent, providing you with up-to-date information about their symptoms, challenges, and progress so you can continue to make the best decisions possible for your parent as they age in place.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering Home Health Care in Upland, CA, contact the caring staff at No Place Like Home Homecare today at 951-382-5266.
About Kristi Duran
Kristi Duran is the owner of No Place Like Home Homecare. Kristi started NPLH because of her absolute love for seniors. She was raised by her grandparents from the day she was born. Kristi has a special connection to seniors and understands their wishes and needs to stay independent.
Kristi has worked in the medical field for years and has seen first-hand how aging seniors want nothing more than to age in the comfort of their own home with dignity and grace. At NPLH, she and her caregivers insure that this happens.
NPLH is not a large franchise. It is a personal family owned homecare service. This insures a one on one personalized touch. Kristi is available 24 hours a day to her clients and their families.