During the Holiday season everyone is eager to have their family members join them in celebration. It is of the utmost importance that we ensure the safety of our traveling family members and loved ones especially when they may be a senior. There are a few things you can do as an adult when organizing a trip for your elderly parents to lessen the stress and inconvenience of flying for your loved one. Although spending time with family is enjoyable, it can be challenging to travel with aging parents. Safety should always come first when traveling, especially if you have an elderly family member with you. Thankfully air travel assistance for seniors is widely available and accessible. Listed below are helpful travel tips for the elderly.
- Whether a senior loved one requires a walker or wheelchair on a regular basis or not, it is wise to plan ahead of time to have mobility equipment easily available. Most if not all airlines allow you to call at least 48 hours in advance to reserve a wheelchair for yourself or a loved one.
- Consult with your loved one’s doctor before planning a trip. Prior to making the booking, consult their doctor. A copy of your family member’s medical file, as well as a list of their prescription drugs, dietary supplements, and dosages, should always be kept on hand. Particularly when traveling internationally, pack your prescription pills in their original containers and always bring extra medication with you just in case! Air travel assistance for seniors is not enough to ensure that senior citizens are safe.
- Plan ahead. Make sure to learn about travel restrictions for senior citizens to avoid difficulties. You can prepare to avoid complications by doing some research on the airport you’re traveling out of and the particular trip you’re taking. Try to come up with any factors that might affect travel. Flexibility is crucial because traveling can include unforeseen delays and difficulties.
- Do your research on air travel assistance for seniors. You may not know all the forms of assistance seniors may receive. Making senior air travel as secure and comfortable as possible is essential. Airlines and airports make it much simpler for elders to travel safely and as comfortably as possible by providing travel assistance. To get the specific support you require, it’s important to get in touch with the airport and airline ahead of time.
- As travel restrictions for senior citizens lessen after the ease of COVID, it’s safer to make sure the place you plan to travel to has low or no cases of COVID at all. Take precautions. Before traveling, all older seniors should be completely vaccinated and boosted, especially if they are immunocompromised. Seniors should receive a complete vaccination booster, especially if they have compromised immune systems. If you find yourself in enclosed spaces or crowded areas, having a mask on hand is a terrific extra precaution!
- Even if you have all the travel tips for elderly listed, there are instances where we don’t know what to do. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are specialized services available for older people and other people with specific needs, like pre-boarding on flights, luggage management assistance, accessibility accommodations in hotels, and even small things like waterproof bed covers for incontinent persons. Never be afraid to request the things you need to make the elderly as comfortable as possible.
With all the travel restrictions for senior citizens, we should always keep cleanliness and social distance in mind as you get ready for your holiday travels. Although it’s important to visit with friends and family, your safety and well-being should come first. Wear a mask, wash your hands frequently, and don’t forget to perform self-quarantine after your trip. Having these travel tips for the elderly can save you a lot of trouble and your seniors can enjoy the time without having to worry about being unsafe.