Traveling Without Your Senior? 4 Tips to Give You Peace of Mind

Whether it’s for Spring break, a summer vacation, or just a weekend getaway, an opportunity to unwind from your senior caregiving duties is essential. However, dealing with the emotions and anxiety of leaving your senior behind can be overwhelming.

Don’t cancel your trip just yet. You can take a well-deserved vacation by planning in advance—and partnering with a professional home care agency, like Visiting Angels, to fill in while you’re away.

We provide a wide range of non-medical home care services that will suit your loved one. Whether they need specialized care or just a friendly person to check in, we’ll help you find the right level of in-home support to ease your mind.

Ensure a Guilt-Free Trip While Your Senior is Home

While we can’t take away all your worries about traveling without your aging loved one, we can assist with your travel action plan. Follow these helpful tips to cover every base before heading out on vacation.

1. Assign Daily Tasks to Trusted Helpers
Start your travel action plan by making a two-column list. On one side, write down everything you do for your loved one each day, such as cooking, cleaning, bathing, running errands, etc.

In the other column, assign a family member or friend who has agreed to cover each task while you travel. If you need a qualified person to help, hire a Visiting Angels caregiver to fill in the gaps.

If your senior needs companionship or has a complex condition like Alzheimer’s, dementia, or Parkinson’s disease, our experienced caregivers can keep them safe and content while you are away through the following services:

• Companion Care
  Emotional and social support without advanced assistance
  
  
• Personal Care
  Personalized assistance for those with cognitive or physical disabilities or who have more intensive physical care requirements
  
  
• Respite Care
  Short-term, flexible home care to temporarily relieve primary caregiver duties

Ready to learn more? Contact Visiting Angels today.

2. Create an Itinerary and Cheat Sheet
Once you’ve lined up your care team, share your travel itinerary, hotel information, and contact information. Make a cheat sheet of your loved one’s important information, such as:

• Healthcare providers: Doctors, pharmacists, and therapists
• Insurance cards and information
• Preferred pharmacy
• Medications and regimens
• Meal schedule
• Sleep schedule

Finally, contact your senior’s healthcare providers and let them know you’ll be traveling.

3. Prep the Team for Your Trip
Your senior may worry when they learn you are traveling without them. Prepare yourself for the conversation, and don’t allow guilt to sway you. Let your loved one know you look forward to spending extra time together when you return home and that a trusted caregiver will help while you are away.

If a family member or friend is filling in, have them practice care duties with your senior, including transferring and toileting, until you are all comfortable. If a professional caregiver is coming to the home, they’ll meet with both of you before the trip to make sure you feel assured and confident.

Related reading: 10 Realistic Ways to Manage Caregiver Stress

4. Take Time for Yourself
When looking after a senior loved one, it's crucial to take some much-needed time for yourself. Not caring for yourself can lead to exhaustion, stress, and caregiver burnout.

Taking personal time isn't selfish. You need a break to recharge. When you feel better, you can assist your loved one better. In addition, your senior might enjoy the chance to visit with someone new.

Visiting Angels Can Help When You’re Away

Embarking on a journey without your senior can be exciting and challenging. However, with in-home support from Visiting Angels, you can travel with peace of mind, knowing your loved one is in capable hands.

Our dedicated caregivers will help you prioritize the well-being and comfort of your loved one, allowing you to fully enjoy your travel experience without worrying about their safety and happiness.

Travel with confidence, knowing Visiting Angels is there to provide the compassionate care your senior deserves.

Contact us today!