Top Tips For Stress-Free Travel With Elderly Parents

Travel benefits both the intellect and the body. It opens people's minds to new ideas and gives them exciting new experiences. According to Kathleen Cameron, senior director of NCOA's Center for Healthy Aging, "Traveling, going to new places, and meeting up with family and old and new friends is vital for our mental health."

However, traveling with an elderly person can be difficult, especially if they have unique needs or impairments. To avoid typical travel problems and have a more relaxing time, prepare early, do your homework, and have a backup plan. Everything can run more smoothly if you follow these recommendations.

1. Lessen the Risk of Falls

Pay attention to one's immediate environment to lessen the likelihood of falls when traveling. Falls and injuries sustained from them are more common among the elderly. Finding a pair of non-slip shoes is an important fashion choice for seniors. Reminding older travelers to utilize handrails and grab bars for assistance is also important.

Ask for shower or bathtub mats that won't slide about. Walking or water exercises, mild exercises that include slow, graceful motions like dancing, can improve flexibility, strength, balance, and coordination, decreasing the risk of falls.

2. Be Smart About What You Bring

After you've decided on a place to go, booked your accommodations, and arranged transportation, it's time to figure out what to bring along for the trip. Remember to bring any necessary prescriptions, sunscreen, toiletries, comfortable shoes, adult diapers, and clothes. Gather all of your prescription drugs about a week or two before you go on your trip. You never know when you might need them.

When things don't go as planned, be adaptable and use it. If you want to be prepared for flight delays, bring extra medication. If you have insurance or Medicare, bring a list of your prescriptions, doctors' names and numbers, and the address of a drugstore that accepts your plan. The TSA will permit the transportation of liquid medications requiring syringes, pumps, freezer packs, or intravenous bags on board the aircraft.

Make sure you know the TSA's regulations on the proper packaging of pharmaceuticals before you start packing. Bring your medications in a carry-on so they are conveniently accessible and won't get lost or delayed during transportation.

3. Keep Moving and Drink Plenty of Fluids

To combat the negative health effects of sitting for long periods of time on a plane or car, it is recommended that seniors, if they can do so, participate in light physical activity such as walking or swimming while on the trip. Sunscreen and water should always be on hand, especially for the elderly.

Hydration is of the utmost importance, particularly for older individuals, as stated by studies. No matter the season, staying properly hydrated can be a challenge, but summer is when it starts to heat up. Get to know your surroundings to quickly find a place to fill up on water if your supplies run out. Rest at regular intervals. Embrace the fresh environment, take it easy on excursions, and appreciate things more slowly.

4. Sunscreen Your Skin

As we age, the protective stratum corneum thins out, making us more susceptible to sun damage and skin cancer because UV rays may enter deeper into our skin. Among the many types of cancer, skin cancer is highly preventable. Follow these simple steps to protect your skin every day:

• Keep track of the passing seconds. The sun's ultraviolet radiation is at its highest at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Outdoor time is best planned for early morning or late afternoon. In any case, seek shelter from the sun.

• Find a sunscreen that works for you. Opt for a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or above. Look for the words "blocks UVA and UVB" or "broad spectrum" on the packaging.

• Properly apply sunscreen. The recommended time to apply sunscreen is 20 minutes before going outside and then again every two hours while in the sun. Always reapply after swimming or with vigorous perspiration.

• Put on your protection gear. You can shield yourself from the sun's damaging rays using protective gear like long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and a wide-brimmed hat. Don articles of apparel made specifically to block ultraviolet light. Equally crucial are sunglasses that block ultraviolet light.

5. Schedule Daily Activities

When planning a trip with an older parent, create an itinerary that is detailed, adaptable, and includes all of your loved one's demands.

This may involve going leisurely to important places like museums or cultural landmarks. Accompanied by others, nature hikes offer a tranquil escape from city life and are as wonderful on their own.

6. Arrange for All Required Medications

The role of medication in maintaining your elderly parent's health will grow as they age. You should give serious thought to the potential medical needs of your aging parents before organizing a road trip with them. Consider asking these thoughtful questions:

• Have you or your parents been given any new medicine lately?

• Do they typically use any over-the-counter medications that you'll need to pack for them?

• Do you have any health issues that would necessitate extra care when traveling, such as diabetes or hypertension?

• Can they go without medication or medical equipment, such as inhalers or syringes?

Make a list of all the medications you take regularly, and bring enough to last the whole trip. Also, creating extra copies of your prescription medications is a good idea in case you lose or misplace them while traveling.

In the end!

Know exactly when your flight is, where your rail or bus will stop, and how to reach your destination. To help you decide which mode of transportation is appropriate for your aging parent, you can review all of the possibilities throughout this confirmation process. Since you'll have a greater say over the route if you drive, it's worth exploring if it's an option.

Before going on a foreign vacation with their parents, it's a good idea to find out what kind of visas are required. That way, you won't have problems getting in or out of the country.