Everyone deserves to take a vacation every once in a while. Take time to leave your busy schedule behind, the hassles of your daily, stressful life and just relax and enjoy. But wait. How can you enjoy a vacation if you have a senior loved one to take care of?
For senior caregivers, taking a vacation trip can be challenging. Some fail to leave their aging loved ones. Others struggle to enjoy their vacay because they get worried about their senior loved ones all the time. It’s an even bigger issue if they have dementia. Should you leave them behind, take them with you, or cancel your plans all together?
Nowadays, one can choose to check in their senior loved ones in one of the many home healthcare agencies Houston TX. This allows you to take that well-deserved vacation, knowing your loved one is safe and well-taken care of. Now, all it takes is to inform them of your plans and prepare them for the big day. Here’s how.
Inform Them Of Your Plans
It’s not enough that you tell them the date and time of your departure and arrival, as well as the facility you want them to stay at. Make sure to break the news constructively and include them in the decision-making. They can choose to visit an office location for senior care or have some come over to assist and keep an eye over them.
Give Them A Simple Travel Information
Their memory might not be that sharp anymore, so make sure to inform them of your travel plans the simple way. Tell them where you’re heading, when you will leave and arrive back, who you’re traveling with and how they can reach you. It’s best to write down this information and put it somewhere they can easily find.
Open To The Help You Can Get
It’s okay to accept a lending hand from people you and your senior loved one know and trust. They need to feel comfortable with the person willing to help you out. Also, make sure they are responsible enough and can keep up with your senior loved one’s needs.
Recommended Read: 7 Signs Your Aging Loved Ones Need More Care ASAP—and What to Do About It
Give Their Temporary Caregiver A Breakdown Of Their Needs And Routines
The new caregiver needs to know their personal features, their interests, and habits, your travel details, emergency contacts, prescription meds, etc.
Keep In Contact
While you may have someone you can rely on to help and assist your aging parent, don’t forget to keep in contact. Update them regularly and if possible, call them via video chat. This way, they’ll feel less lonely knowing you still remember to call them even if you’re miles away.
Good Read: How to Communicate Effectively with Older Adults
We often have what we call caregiver guilt. This is when we feel guilty for enjoying and taking a vacation knowing your senior loved one will be left behind. Accept the fact that you also have limitations and deserve to take a break. By ensuring your loved one is in safe hands, you’ll find it easier to ease your conscience and enjoy that vacation you very well-deserved.
