Many seniors love to travel, especially during winter. Since they are no longer working, they can spend a lot of time on the road. Here are 5 things the Anchorage home care experts from Home Care Assistance suggest every older adult should take along while traveling.
1. Cell Phone
Even if your loved one is only traveling across town, he or she should carry a cell phone at all times. The cell phone should have a listing for In Case of Emergency (ICE) phone numbers programmed into it. This is one of the first places medical personnel and police will look if your loved one is unable to give them valuable information.
2. Medication
Your loved one should take enough medication for the expected duration of the journey, plus extra for a couple of days. If your loved one does not have a long enough prescription to cover the length of the trip, he or she should contact the doctor before commencing the trip. Additionally, your loved one should carry a list of all of his or her medications and other pertinent medical information.
3. Cross-Body Bag
Women who want to carry a purse should make sure it is a cross-body bag because senior women are often seen as easy targets for thieves. Men should carry their wallets in the front pocket of their pants. Seniors should leave most valuables securely locked while traveling. If your loved one wants to take along a few valuables, the hotel’s safety deposit box is the best place to keep them in most cases.
4. Healthy Snacks
If your loved one needs to eat at a particular time of day or requires special foods, he or she should pack and take some snacks along. Taking this simple step ensures your loved one does not jeopardize his or her health due to not eating for long durations while traveling. Another advantage of taking snacks along is that food purchased at grocery stores is usually cheaper and healthier than food purchased at popular attractions.
5. Emergency Numbers
For times when seniors cannot find their phones, they need to carry a separate list of emergency contacts. Your loved one can keep a list in his or her wallet and one in the vehicle he or she is driving.
Traveling as a senior can be a great experience. Whether your loved one is headed out to see family or to someplace he or she has only seen on TV, taking these simple steps helps ensure he or she stays safe.
An active and independent life is key to longevity. A caregiver from Home Care Assistance can provide the support your loved one needs to lead an active life for as long as possible. We are a trusted name in elder care and provide hourly and live-in home care Anchorage seniors can rely on. For more information on our senior care services, call one of our friendly Care Managers at (907) 770-0907 to schedule a free in-home consultation.