Traveling with an Aging Parent: Driving and Other Alternatives

 

 

Traveling with an Aging Parent-- Driving and Other Alternatives

On Monday, we gave you the pros and cons of flying for your holiday travels and beyond. Traveling with an aging parent can be difficult, both for you and your loved one.

So, to make things easier, we’re going to talk about more options, along with their pros and cons. Take a look below:

Driving

Pros

  • Leisurely pace: One of the major advantages to driving is that it allows you to go at your own pace. Not only do you get to pick and choose when you want to get to your destination, you also have the opportunity to take little side trips to along the way.
  • No deadlines: Along with going at your own pace, driving means no strict deadlines. Sometimes, the hustle and bustle of the airport can be a little intimidating for an aging parent. Having to worry about getting your loved onto the gate can be frustrating and overwhelming for not only yourself, but for your parent as well.
  • Frequent breaks: Driving also allows you to take frequent breaks, which is great for allowing your aging parent to move around to prevent stiffness that causes muscle and joint discomfort.

Cons

  • Longer travel time: One major setback of driving is that it takes significantly longer to get to your travel destination. For the parent who doesn’t enjoy traveling, this can be a problem. And, if you only have a certain amount of time to vacation, this shortens the amount of time you have to enjoy yourself at your travel destination, which might defeat the purpose of traveling for some people.

Other considerations: the cruise vacation

We mentioned cruises in our short post on vacationing during the holidays, but the option bears mentioning again. Cruises are very senior-friendly, and many provide services that specifically cater to the elderly. And, cruising is a great way to explore exotic places hassle-free.

If your parents don’t have a fear of water and aren’t prone to motion sickness, this is certainly an option to consider.

Traveling during the holidays can have its ups and downs, but having your options will hopefully make it easier and more enjoyable for you and your aging parent.

Now that you’ve seen some of your options, what you do you think? Do you think your parent would prefer to fly, drive, or take a cruise? Let us know by connecting with us on Twitter!

Physicians’ Choice Private Duty Assisted Living currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of geriatric care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. Get your free Cost Comparison guide by clicking here. Or contact us for a free consultation or just to say hello!

photo credit: Thomas Hawk via photopin cc

“Physicians’ Choice Private Duty Assisted Living solves the challenges families face in caring for aging parents, with a focus on strategies that keep them in their homes. To learn more about our solutions, visit http://www.private-duty.pchhc.com.”