How to help traveling senior loved ones safely navigate holiday season
Are you traveling during the holiday season? Or are you hosting loved ones who are?
If so, Steven Snell, owner of Always Best Care Senior Services-Treasure Coast, wants to remind folks that the holiday season and being away from home do carry some extra concerns for the health and well-being of your senior loved ones.
“While the holidays are a great time for seniors to travel and reconnect with family, healthful routines can be — and often are — disrupted,” he explains. “For instance, workouts might get skipped. Rich, holiday-season meals and treats might replace important dietary needs. It’s easy to understand how some seniors might see their health suffer during the holiday season.”
Another potential risk factor for seniors during the holiday: Some folks — unaccustomed to imbibing alcohol — may become intoxicated after only one drink, or even just a few sips. There’s also the possibility of alcohol interacting with prescription medications.
That’s why younger folks should always be on the lookout for their older loved ones starting to slur their speech and/or look unsteady on their feet after alcoholic beverages are served.
Snell notes that recent research has identified the following as the biggest challenges seniors and the elderly face during the holidays:
- Time spent sedentary.
One recommendation Snell has is that your senior loved one visit his or her doctor before they pack their suitcase.
Another factor to consider is making sure there is enough time allotted for rest after traveling. Travel can be tiring for the fittest among us — “but especially for seniors, whether they travel by car, train, or plane” says Snell.
Another factor to consider is making sure there is enough time allotted for rest after traveling. Travel can be tiring for the fittest among us — “but especially for seniors, whether they travel by car, train, or plane” says Snell.
Snell also lists a few other travel tips that seniors (and really everybody) should consider:
- Ask for enough prescription medication to cover time away. Talk to a doctor about how time zones might affect medication schedules.
- Bring copies of important documents like health insurance and emergency numbers.
- Give copies of travel itineraries to loved ones.
- Carry medications and essential items on the plane or in the car in case of emergency or disruptions to plans.
- Wear a medical ID if needed.
- Use hand sanitizer and wash hands frequently to avoid germs.
- Ask for an escort or wheelchair to help infirmed seniors traverse airports safely.
- Drink plenty of water and non-alcoholic fluids to stay hydrated.
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