Vacationing is something that many families look forward to. Taking a few days away from your usual routine is a wonderful way to spend quality time together, enjoy new experiences, and reminisce on old memories while making new ones. If you are a family caregiver for an elderly parent, however, you might worry that your family vacations will have to change due to their needs and challenges. You might worry that you will not be able to give them the care that they might need during the trip or that they will not be able to handle the activities and events that you would have usually planned due to their limitations. This can be an upsetting thought, but there is an alternative. Bringing an elder care provider with your family can ease this stress, ensure proper and consistent care, and allow everyone to enjoy the trip as much as possible.
Some reasons why bringing an elder care provider on vacation with your senior could enhance the trip for your entire family include:
• Consistent care. Consistency is important when it comes to the care that your elderly loved one needs. Having a care provider on the vacation with them means that they will get the best chances of having the same type of care and their same routine as they would at home. While there are some modifications that will need to be made, this care provider can help to create as much consistency and predictability as possible.
• Personalized vacation experience. It is true that your parent’s challenges and limitations might make it so that they are not able to participate in the activities of the trip as much as they used to. This does not have to mean that you need to change these activities or not participate in them yourself. Instead, a care provider can help your loved one participate in the trip as much as is right for them, and then provide support and companionship if they want to return to the hotel or skip an activity.
• Ease your caregiver stress. Being a multigenerational caregiver means that you have the chance to enjoy more time with your parent and your children, but it can also be stressful. You are constantly worried about the needs of both groups and trying to make sure that everyone is safe, healthy, and comfortable. This can sometimes be at the sacrifice of your involvement in the trip. A care provider can be there to support, assist, supervise, and care for your aging loved one so that you can focus more of your energy and attention on your children and on having fun without worrying about your parent.
Starting elder care for your aging parent can be one of the best decisions that you can make for them throughout the course of your caregiver journey with them. An elderly home care services provider can step in to fill any care gaps that might exist in the care that you are able to give them, whether that means coming to their home once or twice a week to help them handle specific tasks such as bathing or grocery shopping, or being with them every day for several hours because you live at a distance. The highly personalized services of an elderly home care services provider help ensure that your senior gets the care, support, assistance, and encouragement that they need to manage their needs while also helping them to pursue more fulfillment and independence in their daily life as they age in place. When it comes to going on vacation with your family a care provider can make a tremendous difference for you. Whether it is a respite provider who cares for your parent at home
while you travel, or a regular provider who comes along with you to care for them, this care provider can help you relax and enjoy your vacation more.
If you or an aging loved one are considering elder care in St. Paul, MN, and the surrounding areas, please contact the friendly staff at CareBuilders at Home Minnesota. Call today 612-260-2273.
