Planning a Beach Trip With Your Elderly Loved One

Are you planning a spring break vacation to a popular beach area or a summertime visit to a city by the sea? While you may not envision your elderly parent getting out there and hitting the waves on a surfboard there is plenty your elderly loved one can do at a beach and still enjoy her visit as much as those kids playing in the waves. Some seniors will thrive and enjoy a week at a beach whereas others might need some help preparing for and enjoying their visit which can be provided by a home care aide.

Best Beach Planning Tips When Traveling with a Senior

Each family will need to consider their elderly loved one’s ability to enjoy a beach visit if that is where the family is traveling to this year.

Home Care Ridgewood NJ – Planning a Beach Trip With Your Elderly Loved One

Here are a few things to consider when making your plans.

Beach accessibility. Remote beaches may be beautiful but if your loved one has mobility issues, she may not be able to access it. Do a bit of research to make sure your loved one doesn’t miss the best part of the whole trip.

Nearby activities. A boardwalk to sit and enjoy, a pier to fish off of, and a boat you can rent can all be extra activities that might be perfect for your senior. If traveling with multiple generations, consider having some activities that will appeal to each age group.

Crowd Levels. Your senior might appreciate a time of year when the crowds are lower so she can more easily navigate the area without being overrun by other visitors.

Weather. Not all beaches are created equal when it comes to weather. Check those weather patterns to make sure the weather will be what you are looking for when visiting.

Packing for a Beach Trip

Your elderly loved one’s packing list will be similar to other family members, with a few exceptions. Since older individuals have more sensitive skin, packing appropriately to protect their skin is imperative.

Here are a few items your loved one’s home care provider can help her make sure she has for the upcoming trip.

• Wide-brimmed summer hat that covers the back of the neck if possible.
• Long-sleeve summer shirts and pants to prevent sunburns.
• Beach shoes that are more supportive than flip-flops.
• Up-to-date sunscreen. Ask your home care provider to check for an expiration date on her sunscreen and get a new bottle if needed.
• Lip protection. Pack multiple lip balms to protect the lips from the sun and wind.

Activities your Loved One Can Do That Don’t Involve Getting in the Water

If your loved one doesn’t want to get in the water, there are still plenty of beach activities she can enjoy while she’s there. It can help to have her do a quick internet search of the area’s activities with her home care provider before she goes so she’ll know what she might like to try and if there is anything special she needs to bring to try it (like binoculars for dolphin watching or a book for reading on the beach).

Other fun activities your senior might like:

• Fishing off a Pier
• Collecting Seashells
• Strolling through Local Markets
• People watching
• Enjoying an Outdoor Meal

There are lots of great reasons to be dreaming about heading to the beach and with proper preparedness, your senior will have a fabulous time with the family.

If you or a senior family member are considering hiring Home Care Services in Ridgewood NJ, please get in touch with the caring staff at Caring Solutions Home Care LLC.

Providing in-home senior care, servicing Bergen & Passaic Counties. Call today at (973) 427-3553.