Your Proactive Caregiver Advocate: Dr. Cynthia Speaks!
Topic: Caregivers- Travel with Elderly Loved Ones during Holiday Seasons?
Eldercare is a rising concern, especially in the home where caregiving is necessary for our loved ones. As society ages, diligence is crucial, especially if there are travel plans for seniors. Many seniors use adaptive aids, require oxygen, are on dialysis, need daily wound care, and daily tube feeds. With these kinds of demands, proactive steps are essential, before traveling anywhere with loved ones. Caregiving in the home is tough, but adding travel can be challenging, and pre-planning must occur.
When we considered traveling with my mother, weeks in advance we prepared, considering all the necessary items she would need. We thought about, (the what-ifs) those alternatives to make travel less stressful. First, we evaluated the final destination. Would it provide a safe and comfortable environment? This was the biggest question. One year, traveling to Ohio, my sister purchased a giant lazy boy chair with a lift, so we could help mother stand without pulling her arms and pushing her backside(somebody knows what I am talking about). At my graduation, I hired a nurse to care for my mother, in case she got tired and needed to go back to the hotel room; she had support. Just so you know, if oxygen is used, and flying, the airlines must be contacted ahead of time so they can make the necessary arrangements. Just like you, our elderly loved ones want to visit family too. But, remember traveling can be difficult without proactive preparation. To keep a loved one from feeling like a burden in travel, plan ahead.
The holiday season is upon us and can be a depressing time for our elderly loved ones. We must be mindful of the mental and emotional attitudes due to the aging process and feelings of isolation. As Your Proactive Caregiver Advocate, let me encourage you to work hard to keep daily processes as normal as possible. Being organized is your best defense when you travel with elderly loved ones. It is also a good idea to identify support systems, which can also include friends and neighbors and community services. Contacting The Area Agency on Aging in your location destination can be a first step for shopping around for possible services and types of support. Finally, keep all important telephone numbers close by and share them with those in your village. Be safe! Be well!
