Travelling is not limited to any age. You may have a wish to make your elderly parents happy and provide them with good times by travelling together. However, their health and capabilities remain a concern. The demanding travelling distances, certain activities and various factors can stress you when you consider travelling with old parents.
To ensure their comfort, you can find a hotel in Siliguri when you are travelling around this region. There are many benefits of travelling for senior persons, such as positive impacts on cognitive, physical and spiritual well-being. But your parents getting older does not need to cancel your trip. With additional planning, a comprehensive evaluation of their health conditions and with important arrangements, you can travel with your elderly parents.
Know Some Beneficial Tips To Travel With Your Aged Parents
Making your old parents happy when travelling together can probably be one of the most wholesome experiences. But with age, there are many concerns, especially related to their health can make you think twice before planning a trip.
However, taking some effective measures and planning your travel according to their abilities can surely provide you with a joyous memory with your parents. By following the steps mentioned below, you can ensure a joyous, safe and cherishing travel experience for your aged parents.
- Get Doctor’s Permission: Before planning your travel, a health check-up for them is a must. It is crucial to get medical clearance from their concerned health experts and schedule a pre-trip medical consultation. Make sure their health condition is reviewed, all medications are managed, and the necessary documents are obtained from the doctor. It is important to get a “fit to travel” letter from the doctor and the necessary listings of medications, dosages required in extreme climates and or challenging situations. Make sure you receive sufficient storage of existing medicines as per the doctor’s recommendation.
- Choosing the Travel Destination:When you wish to travel with your older parents, selecting a suitable destination becomes crucial. Discuss with your parents about the travel destination, pace and activities to ensure they are feeling interested and a sense of control. Try to avoid places that demand constant walking, steep climbs and rushed sightseeing. You can look for destinations with viable roads, pleasant weather and easy access to medical facilities.
In such cases, hill stations with calming viewpoints, cultural towns within short distances and relaxing nature destinations can provide them with a sense of ease and spiritual wellness. Try to plan places with reduced need for exploration, allowing time to sit, rest and enjoy surroundings. This will help them feel comfortable rather than exhausted.
- Arrange Comfortable & Smooth Travel Routes: You must consider the journey that can be more tiring than exploring the destination. Try to opt for direct flights and trains to ensure a hassle-free and smooth journey. Avoid overnight journeys and very early departures, which can interrupt the sleep schedule of your elderly parents. Make sure they are seated comfortably while travelling.
You can prefer aisle seats, lower berths, or priority seating arrangements for them. Try to take sufficient pauses by breaking long drives into shorter stretches when travelling by road. Avoid risky and bumpy shortcuts. A smooth, comfortable and well-planned trip can reduce the stress, anxiety, tiredness and health risks for elderly parents.
- Select Accommodations with Advanced Facilities: Prioritise accommodation and staying options with safety and convenience over luxury. Research extensively about the hotels with minimal stairs, with lifts, clean and attached bathrooms. Try to avoid booking stays in high floors for your elderly parents; ground floors can be an ideal option for them. When planning to book a hotel, make sure it's located in the proximity of the main attractions or markets. It will help in reducing daily travel time.
You can check online feedback for cleanliness, quality food options, various amenities, noise levels, comfortable bedding, etc., and service. Relaxed and convenient accommodations can be impactful on their energy and mood throughout the trip. You need to plan your travel when travelling with senior citizens.
- Carry Essentials, Medicines and Comforters: Elderly people are more susceptible to falling ill, causing an emergency while travelling. It is crucial to pack all the essential items for your aged parents when travelling with them, such as extra storage of medicines, an emergency medical kit and their regular medicines. Especially if they have chronic diabetes, high blood pressure and other age-related health conditions.
Make sure their luggage contains enough warm clothes, a comforter and comfortable footwear if the destination has mild to moderate cold weather. In case of asthma and respiratory issues, you must carry an inhaler and other essentials to support them in sudden emergencies.
- Keep The Itinerary Flexible: It is natural that at their old age, your parents will run out of energy. Make sure you avoid highly packed itineraries with multiple activities and explorations. With fewer places to explore and limited activities in a day will help them enjoy the travelling at their own pace. Ensure the itinerary includes sit-down sightseeing, scenic drives, and short visits, allowing them to rest well.
Always try to listen to their health and energy level and adjust the travel plan accordingly. If they need a day to rest at the hotel, spending a relaxed time is absolutely fine. Keep the travelling flexible rather than an urge to visit a place. It should comply with your parents’ health and mood, which will ensure a cherishable and wholesome travelling experience.
Final Thoughts
Travelling with elderly parents comes with responsibility and careful planning. With medical clearance, extensive evaluation of health conditions, and additional preparedness, you can enjoy a memorable travel experience with them. You must make sure their old age is not an obstacle if they wish to travel. Taking permission from the doctor, checking with all their necessities, and thoughtful planning can significantly contribute to your travelling experience with the elderly parents. You can consider staying in ahotel in Siliguri when exploring the places around the city.
