Senior care doesn’t pause for holidays, but with tips from Seniors Helping Seniors®, the holidays can run smoothly for every generation of the family. The classic holiday movie “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles” depicts two men’s journeys home for the Thanksgiving holidays. It is easy to see why the movie is loved by many--everyone can relate to holiday travel to visit loved ones, and that applies to seniors, too. It is a well documented fact that today’s seniors are living longer, healthier, and more active lives, which means that many seniors who have family that live far away will be traveling for the holidays to visit children and grandchildren. For those seniors traveling, many will be those normally living at home and receiving senior care. There are tips that can make holidays easier to those seniors who are boarding planes, trains, or automobiles.
When traveling, there are many ways for seniors to prepare ahead of time by reaching out to the company with which they’re traveling. Whatever mode is chosen to take, the Chatham Patch website offers some helpful tips for packing. First of all, pack light if you can. Friends and family will most likely have necessities like toothpaste, shampoo, and towels when you arrive so don’t feel the need to over pack. By keeping it light you will make it easier on yourself to maneuver around and also due to stricter airline travel rules, you will ensure that your minimal baggage will not stick you with unexpected fees.
Many seniors will have to bring medication with them when traveling. Be sure to pack the medications in your carry on in case anything should happen to your checked baggage and you aren’t able to access it. All medications should be in their original containers rather than a pill case because that way there should be no problems getting them through security stations.
If you do have questions about what restrictions will be placed on you or your belongings during travel, don’t hesitate to reach out to the travel company. There are many ways to do so, and a popular one has become apps on mobile devices such as tablets and smart phones. The apps can give you updates about weather at the destination so you know what kind of conditions to expect when you arrive and it can also give you helpful information about travel guidelines and if there are any delays for the trip. Aside from giving you the necessary information, these mobile devices can also make travel more enjoyable for seniors by offering entertainment to take up the potentially long hours of the trip. There are many apps that feature games such as Sudoku, crossword puzzles, and word searches that make the time pass quickly.
Seniors Helping Seniors, a senior care provider in Chester, Montgomery, and Upper Bucks counties, has a particular insight into these travel tips for seniors, as they work everyday with seniors who are living at home who need a little extra help. To connect seniors with the non-medical care they need, Seniors Helping Seniors matches them with a caregiver who is also a peer. The caregivers provide light housekeeping, pet care, transportation, and meal preparation among other services to seniors, and also benefit themselves by remaining active and forming friendships through the organization. Although many seniors will be traveling for the holidays, it’s important to remember that they may need a little help too, and following these tips could make for a satisfying and safe trip.
Contact Seniors Helping Seniors directly at 610-590-4888 to learn more about all the senior care services offered by the company.
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