How to Plan For Travel with an Elderly Loved One

Elderly Care in Albany MN: How to Plan For Travel with an Elderly Loved One

Elderly care can be difficult enough to do at your own home, but what happens when you have to travel with your elderly relative? Whether it’s a vacation, family visit or something else altogether, traveling by air can cause seniors a lot of problems with their mental and physical health. However, don’t let the fear of flying with a senior stop you or your loved one from booking flights and exploring the world.

When it comes to air travel, planning a safe and comfortable journey for an elderly person is easier than ever. As long as you start planning well in advance and take advantage of tips and advice from seasoned experts, you and your elderly relative can travel like the pros.

Before the Flight

There are several things to arrange and check on before the flight. First, get clearance from your relative’s doctor that they are able to fly. Some medical conditions prevent flying or can be made worse by it, so you’ll want to make sure all is well before going much further.

• Find flights that coincide with your elderly relative’s best times of the day. A midnight flight or 6:00 a.m. flight may just be too much for them, where a mid-day flight will allow them to travel while well rested and alert.
• Book an aisle seat if possible because then your elderly relative can get up and stretch with ease. It’s also closer to the bathroom, and they don’t have to worry about climbing over people. If there are options for rows with more legroom, those are good, too.
• While packing, always put your elderly relative’s most necessary items in their carry-on luggage. This is because there is always the risk of their checked baggage to get lost or delayed. Key items can include prescription medication, dietary items, medical devices like hearing aid batteries and more.
• Make arrangements for wheelchairs from gate to gate or ask about early boarding options for your elderly relative. Ask about any other senior services they or the airport may offer to see if they fit the needs of your relative.

During the Flight

Once the fights are booked, give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport. Dress them in loose, comfortable clothes and ask them to drink plenty of water beforehand. It’s easy to get dehydrated on a flight, so ask the flight attendant to bring some extra water that they can sip throughout.

Allow your elderly loved one to stand up and stretch every once in a while to keep their circulation going and reduce the risk of numbness, stiff legs and clots. They may feel colder or warmer than usual so it’s a good idea to bring an extra layer to put on and off.

It’s going to take a bit of planning to make sure that your journey will go smoothly with an elderly relative. It will require all your elderly care skills to be taken on the road to ensure their health and safety. With the right preparation and utilizing all the tips and tools at your disposal, you’ll be able to give your elderly loved one the gift of travel, and they will definitely appreciate it.

Source:
https://blog.visitorscoverage.com/top-10-travel-tips-for-seniors/

If you or an aging loved-one are considering elderly care in Albany, MN, please contact the caring staff at Alternative Senior Care today. Providing Home Care in Central Minnesota and Surrounding Communities. Call us Today (320) 352-3350.