ARTICLES / General /
Summer Travel Plans for Caregivers
By Sheryl Leary
Dress in layers to accommodate shifting
between air conditioning and the outdoors.
Find the nearest location of an emergency room or
urgent care provider in the area you are visiting
prior to your trip.
When planning family reunions or large parties,
ensure that elders have designated one-to-one time
with extended family members. Your loved one may get
lost in the hustle and bustle of a large party.
Having designated time with your loved one will
allow all family members to catch up on the news and
events.
Do not compare this vacation with those of the
past. When you fall into this pattern of thinking,
you often focus on what is different or what you
can’t do. Think of each vacation as a new chapter, a
new adventure in your life.
Vacationing Without Your Loved One
Make arrangements for alternate caregivers well
in advance of your vacation. Do not expect other
family members to take on full responsibility for
care with only a week’s notice. Ensure substitute
caregivers know the dates and expectations for care
they will provide.
Have your loved one and the substitute care
provider meet before you leave so that they will
both be more comfortable together. Ensure that the
level of care needed matches the care provider’s
abilities.
When using a formal provider for respite care,
there are many options. Private home health agencies
can provide assistance on an hourly or shift basis.
Rest homes, assisted living facilities and nursing
homes can often provide care on a short-term respite
basis if they have openings. The private care
provider will have to decide if your loved one meets
the level of care their facility offers.Have a
scheduled check-in time with your loved one or their
substitute care provider each day.
Printable Version
