Traveling with an Aging Parent: The Pros and Cons of Flying

 

 

Traveling with an Aging Parent The Pros and Cons of Flying

Last week, we talked about a few ways to manage your stress during the holiday, from time management, to taking a vacation, to entertaining guests. As a caregiver, taking on double or even triple duty can put a lot of stress not only on you, but on your aging parent as well.

To throw more into that mix of holiday duties/activities, many caregivers have lots of holiday traveling to think of, too.

For most, the holiday travel season can be hectic, but for the caregiver, that’s especially true. Throughout this week, we’re going to give you a few tips on how to prepare for the holiday travels (and beyond) with aging your loved one.

Leading tip: Give them the option between flying or driving

When planning a trip with a loved one, you should always give them the option to choose how they would like to travel. There are a number of reasons why your loved one may choose one option over the other. Today, we are going to give you a primer on one option for traveling with an aging parent: flying.

The pros of flying

  • Good for long distance: when traveling long distance, flying is a great option because it reduces the amount of time spent traveling.

Note: it is best to plan ahead and let the airline know if any special care is needed during the booking process to ensure that they will be taken care of.

  • Destination guaranteed: In some instances, flying can be great because it ensures that you will get to destination without any side trips or the chance of getting lost, which can happen on the road.

The cons of flying

  • Security and check-ins: One again, flying can be a bit of a waiting game. Although airlines do provide services that assist with security and check-ins, it can still be pretty intimidating for an elderly parent to be at the mercy of a stranger.
  • Tight quarters: Another issue that many people take up with flying is the small spaces within the cabins of planes. This can be especially hard for elderly people with disabilities, as it doesn’t give them adequate space to move around, which can cause problems for circulation, muscles, and joints.

Check back on Wednesday to see our pros and cons of driving, as well as other considerations for traveling with an aging parent.

In the mean time, what do you think about flying? Do the pros outweigh the cons, or vice versa? 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!

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“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.”