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Travel Tips for a Stress-Free Multi-Generational Vacation

Summer is here. It’s time to plan your next fun family vacation. You may wonder what’s the best way for everyone in the family, from the kids to Grandma to have a great time, and for you as a parent and/or caregiver to get a well-deserved break.

There are many good reasons families often travel with parents on a trip with the rest of the family. Getting away from the everyday routine to spend time together strengthens bonds and creates memories that can last for a lifetime. Grandparents can help provide a break and it allows for quality time with their grandchildren. It can also be more cost-effective to travel with the entire family who can share the costs of food, accommodations and travel.

As you prepare for the time off, here are some travel tips to have an enjoyable and less stressful time:

Tips for Planning the Trip:

When thinking about where to go, try to include everyone in the discussion to the extent possible. Keep in mind considerations for any physical or mental health concerns aging parents may have. If your parent is affected by Alzheimer’s or dementia, try to stick to more familiar territory if you can.

Whether it’s a quiet time in Maine or the hustle and bustle of Disney World, don’t assume you already know Mom’s preference and decide for her. Your loved one may have some ideas about where to go or may decide that he or she would rather stay home.

That said, try not to over-prioritize your parent’s desires. If this is a multi-generational family time off, then all family members’ interests deserve consideration.

Tips to Find a Senior-Friendly & Kid-Friendly Vacation Spot:

The key is to pick a place that is accessible for seniors and has interesting activities for all ages in the family. If you decide to fly, check out these airlines that offer senior discounts.

• A cruise is a great idea for all ages. Older adults are a large audience for cruises and are well catered to. There is all kinds of entertainment on board and planned excursions on land that are senior-friendly and kid-friendly as well.

• An all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean will have meals and activities taken care of, which could mean less work. If you decide to stay at a hotel, here’s a guide to booking hotels for wheelchair users. This will help you decide if the hotel can meet any mobility needs that Mom or Dad may have such as wheelchair ramps, roll-in showers and grab bars in the bathroom.

• National parks could be a lot of fun for the entire family. If one of the family members cannot handle the walk, then a guided tour in a vehicle is usually available, so they don’t miss out.

Tips for Travel Day:

• If the family is flying to a destination, plan for airport security screening. The TSA screening for passengers 75 and older makes it easier for these passengers to get through screening with less discomfort. Your older loved one may not have to take off his or her shoes. If Mom is unable to stand for long, there is a quicker process available.

• Call ahead to request an escort and wheelchair if needed. It’s often a long walk to the gates.

• Put all important items such as medications in your carry-on luggage on the plane or ship or packed inside the car rather than the trunk for easy reach.

Tips to Make Sure Everyone Has a Good Time:

• Divide up the caregiving duties with other family members ahead of time so you get some time to relax and everyone is on the same page about expectations for caregiving. Often grandparents welcome the opportunity for one-on-time with grandchildren.

• Consider activities that will suite everyone of all ages.  Lighter activity may be less taxing for older adults and easier for kiddos too.

• Keep a routine and build in time for rest. Everyone can benefit from a mid-day nap or quite time to recharge and make sure days don’t become too hectic.

• Take along personal items that your loved one is familiar with, like a favorite pillow, blanket or anything that gives comfort.

• If traveling with a parent who is affected by Alzheimer or dementia, you can find safety travel tips from the Alzheimer’s Association.

Wherever you decide to travel this summer, we wish you and your family a safe and fun-filled vacation with plenty of cherished memories. After all, it’s about making memories that will last a lifetime.

What’s your favorite family travel tip? We’d love to hear it. Drop us a comment.

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7 Innovative Technologies for Older Adults

The surge in the aging population is challenging the technology industry to provide inventive solutions. Advancements in technology are enhancing the lives of older adults and their caregivers.

Here are a few innovative technologies transforming life as we age.

1. WiseWear offers a new option in the competitive wearable trackers market. The smart jewelry tracks your heart rate, calories and sleep patterns like most popular fitness devices. The difference is the safety feature. The user taps the bracelet 3 times to create a distress signal that is sent to the emergency contacts linked to the device. Your exact GPS location is transmitted. Connected to a smartphone, it also provides notification features for incoming calls and important alerts, such as medication reminders. The sleek aesthetic design is replacing traditional plastic button panic devices. 2. According to the Department of Health & Human Services, nearly half of adults 75 and older have hearing loss. Hearing aid technology has advanced significantly in the last 20 years. ReSound offers an aid that enables users to control their hearing via an iPhone app. These hearing aids connect with an iPhone, an iPad, or an Apple Watch via Bluetooth. Users can adjust volume, treble, and bass, and create specific settings for various indoor and outdoor environments. 3. Silver Mother Sensors incorporate into the everyday lives of seniors, continuously monitoring their safety and health. The small devices attach to household items like pill dispensers, refrigerators and doors. The sensors continuously monitor daily activity, detecting movement of medications and sends a notification when you forget to take your meds. Family members can access an app that tracks their loved one's daily activities and detects any changes in behaviors. Alerts are sent if there is cause for concern or change in activity. 4. We all know how confusing large parking lots can be. The Park 'N' Forget app helps you find your car with ease. Park 'N' Forget helps you locate your car among hundreds of other vehicles and even monitors the amount of time spent in metered parking. When leaving your car, simply choose the color or number associated with the deck level and the app pinpoints your car location. 5. Voice assistants are seeing a surge in popularity with the launch of Amazon Echo and Google Home. Billed as a simple speaker, these devices boast thousands of skills that connect to your smart phone and home. They act as a virtual assistant connected to a smart speaker. Through sophisticated voice recognition, you now have a home companion that can do infinite tasks for you. For the senior population, these devices can assist with medication reminders, alert you to upcoming doctor’s appointments and act as a home assistant for cooking and other tasks. 6. Reminder Rosie is a voice assistant designed specifically for the senior population. It has the appearance of an alarm clock with a large digital screen. But unlike the devices previously mentioned, Reminder Rosie records all the things a loved one needs to remember in the voice of a family member or caregiver. It sets dates and times for reminders and the alerts are provided by a recognizable voice of a loved one. The user can also ask Rosie questions about important times and dates and the pre-recorded messages will answer. 7. Rendever offers the latest in virtual reality technology. Designed specifically for seniors, Rendever is providing new opportunities for older adults to experience parts of the world they are missing. The wearable device allows the user to reconnect to places they used to call home. Users also visit famous landmarks or beautiful countries they dreamed of traveling to in person. Revisit the location of your wedding or walk the streets of Paris. The innovative technology helps seniors avoid isolation and re-engages them with new environments.…