Traveling with Your Elderly Loved Ones This Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a wonderful opportunity to spend time with family, but this may mean traveling with an elderly loved one, which can make your trip more challenging. Here are some tips from caregivers at one of our senior and assisted living communities in New Jersey on making this an easy and enjoyable time for everyone:

Plan ahead. Having a set itinerary for your trip will allow you and your loved one peace-of-mind. Know exactly what time you have to leave to the airport or get on the road to get to your destination – and be sure to plan to arrive early, as this gives you some extra time to deal with any unforeseen delays.
Flying. Airlines are happy to accommodate elderly passengers but be sure to take time to find out how best to travel with your loved one. Speak to the airline in advance to organize assistance through TSA checkpoints, secure a wheelchair (a good option even if your loved one is fairly mobile), oxygen (if needed), and a seat that is suited to elderly or disabled passengers. Some airlines even offer discounted tickets for seniors.
Medication. Keep all medications separately in a single freezer bag along with a list of their names and instructions for use. This is helpful for families who unaccustomed to managing medications as well as doctors, in the event that medical assistance is needed. If you are flying, you will have to keep these stored in transparent 3-ounce containers for security purposes. Be sure to check out the medical facilities closest to your destination.
Light schedule. Busy days filled with events are often stressful and tiring for the elderly, so make sure to either keep a very light schedule of events or ensure that your loved one can have plenty of supervised recovery time while you and other family members are out.
Relax and enjoy. Traveling can be stressful for anyone, regardless of your age, so take time to relax and enjoy your trip. It’s important to make the most of these events together, but that doesn’t mean taking on everything yourself. Spread the load between family members and friends, and remember to spend quality time simply enjoying each other’s company.

Aging in place at our beautiful assisted living community in New Jersey

United Methodist Communities at Bristol Glen, an assisted living community in Sussex County, New Jersey, offers seniors independence, comfort and a vibrant social life along with high quality care. Founded on a philosophy of aging in place, our residents benefit from a less restrictive care model where they can remain in their residential apartments to access additional services if their needs change.

With a personalized and customized set of services, seniors are able to fully access the level of care they require, when they require it. We are also fully equipped and able to assist Alzheimer’s and dementia patients through our memory care and support services.