Seniors’ day trips are more than a visit to the local museum or a nearby picnic site. Although these are places your senior loved ones would like to visit, you should at least consider planning for something special once in a while. Who said it’s a crime to go beyond the obvious? The elderly love to have fun, explore new destinations as well as engage in adventurous activities the same way young people do. By the way, if you happen to consult them when making the plans, you’ll be surprised at how sharp they still are.
The reason why some older people move less is because they experience challenges when moving around. They do not have the energy to navigate places because some of them actually require walking aid to move. Therefore, if you can be generous enough to offer a helping hand, you’ll have brought a smile to their faces. Besides, planning a day trip or an outing for your senior loved ones will give both of you a chance to enjoy a fulfilling and enriched life.
Ageing is a natural process and we will all get old as years go by. So, if you are in a position to make the seniors in your life have fun, please do. Some may not tell you but for sure, they will really appreciate it. Plus it will improve their overall well-being.
Planning a trip for seniors isn’t a walk in the park though. You cannot compare a seniors’ trip with a trip for kids or young adults. Older people have special needs. Some could be ailing and they need special care. Others have travelled the world and finding something to excite them is hard work. All in all, we have to organize such trips just to appreciate our older loved ones and make them happier.
If you are wondering how to go about it, here are some amazing tips to guide you.
Choose the activities wisely
If there is a time you need to be more generous and put your needs aside is when you are going out with a senior person. This is their trip and you want to see them have fun. If you aren’t sure about the activities to engage in, prioritize on their preferences as well as what is available in your area. Fortunately, there are numerous senior-friendly activities you can engage in as long as you are creative and open-minded.
For your inspiration, here are some fun activities you can consider:
- Go shopping at a local shopping mall
- Watch a football match at their favourite bar
- Go for a nature walk
- Spend a day at a local picnic site, park or an arboretum
- Go to a play, movie or concert
- Attend a farmers market or an art show
These are truly safe and convenient activities you can enjoy with your elderly buddy without worrying about their health status. They are not too involving but they are engaging enough to create unforgettable moments.
Pack their essentials
Seniors have a number of essentials they can’t spend a day without. Therefore, if you want the day to be successful, make sure you pack their essentials such as prescribed medications, snacks, drinks, first aid supplies, a change of clothes and medical cards. You should also bring along some warm clothes to keep them warm just in case the weather becomes colder. Older people have a hard time when adjusting to changing weather conditions. That’s why it’s important to make sure you help them dress for the weather all day long. If by the time you are leaving home the weather is hot, help them pack some warm clothes to safeguard them if the weather becomes cold. If it’s cold, then pack light clothing or help them to dress in layers so that they can stay comfortable throughout the day regardless of the weather condition. The destination you are going to, your loved one’s needs and the activities you are planning to engage in are basics that can help you know what to pack.
Be ready to assist
Older people tend to get tired a lot faster and that could be the reason some of them shy away from going out as often as they used to when they were younger. Hence, whenever you are tripping with an older adult, make sure you offer a helping hand. Be ready to assist them when getting in and out of the car, when taking the stairs or anytime they need help to move around. Be the one to carry supplies such as water bottles, handbags, and any other gear. Your loved one’s hands should be free when they are walking for them to be more comfortable.
Allow time to rest
A great day trip can quickly turn out to be an uncomfortable experience within a few hours due to overexertion particularly if the day is hot and sunny. When touring with an older person be ready to slow down. The person needs time to rest and re-energize.
The best way to go about it is to arrange for breaks throughout the day even when your loved one hasn’t asked for them. This way, the senior person will enjoy the trip to the fullest without feeling like they are bothering you to stop every now and then. In fact, bring along a shade umbrella and a collapsible chair. Your loved one needs to relax and cool off. After all, you are out there to have fun. Even if you don’t complete all the activities you had planned for the day or make it to the destination you had intended to, you have had a good time together. That’s what matters the most.
Consult your loved one
Planning a trip for your senior loved one without informing them can backfire for many reasons. For instance, you may organize it at the same time they are having other important events they cannot afford to miss. More so, there are times your loved one would prefer more than other times. If you don’t consult them and end fixing a date, even if they will go probably because they don’t want to disappoint you, they won’t enjoy the outing as much as they could have if you had consulted them. Let your loved one advise you on the places they would want to visit, the timing and the activities they would want to take part in. They are adults, not kids.
Enrich the lives of the elderly
According to research, seniors who can go out on trips and outings are more independent, happier and have higher qualities of life than those who don’t. That’s because going out, experiencing new things and connecting with other people is very fulfilling.
Furthermore, older people don’t like being rushed. If you want them to enjoy the trip, give them enough time to do so. Don’t disrupt their normal daily routine too much. These are people who need to eat well, drink enough water to stay hydrated and take their medication as prescribed.
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