Do you want to bring your elderly parents or grandparents to your vacation? Seniors shouldn’t have to miss out on experience just because of their age. In fact, traveling is a great way for them to spend their days, as it can stimulate their minds and allow them to experience new things. But there are things to keep in mind when planning to travel with your older family members to ensure a fun and safe trip for everyone. Here are five tips for traveling with seniors.
Visit the doctor first.
One of the first things you should do when planning your trip is taking your elderly family members to their general physician, even if they’re in good health. Traveling is exhausting and overwhelming, and getting a professional’s opinion on the senior’s health can ensure his or her safety.
If the doctor deems the senior fit for travel, make sure all of his or her medical necessities are covered. Keep a good stock of any prescribed medications and make sure any necessary medical equipment is in good shape.
Choose your accommodation wisely.
Comfortable and accessible accommodation should be one of your top priorities when planning a trip with a senior. This is especially important if your loved one uses a wheelchair or other mobility tool. You can also choose a hotel with additional amenities such as a pool, a golf course, or an in-hose bar. These amenities can give them a relaxing place to rest, especially if your itinerary includes tiring or high-energy activities such as hiking or sailing.
Create an easygoing itinerary.
Creating an itinerary can be exciting, and you may be tempted to jam as many activities into your vacation schedule as possible. A hectic itinerary may be more suited for a group of younger travelers who can keep up with such a pace. Seniors, on the other hand, may not have the sort of privilege. Keep your elderly loved ones in mind by creating an flexible and relaxed itinerary. Also, be sure to ask for their opinion on what activities they’d like do or tourist spots they’d like to visit.
Look for senior citizen discounts and privileges.
Your loved one’s senior citizen ID offers a great advantage for your trip. If you’re traveling domestically, making use of your loved one’s senior citizen discount can save you a lot of money. You can potentially get discounts for plane tickets, hotel stays, meals, and attraction tickets. Don’t be afraid to ask if senior citizen discounts are available for anything.
Make time for self-care.
It’s important to make time for self-care throughout the trip, especially if your loved one has a lot of needs to attend to. Allow others in your travel group to watch over your loved one from time to time so that you have time to rest and recharge. One way you can take it easy during the trip is by booking a massage appointment. Home service massage spas, such as Massagedaily.ph, can be booked in hotels and are often much cheaper than in-house hotel spas. You can even book an appointment for your elderly family member as a relaxing way to spend time together.