Tips for including Care Recipients in summer events/day trips…

As a Caregiver to my 88-year old Mom, Rita, I have developed/created/organized ways to keep my Mom safe/secure while my husband Barry and I are away for a few days; but this summer, we are expecting the arrival of our 10th grandchild and we’re planning to spend the summer close to home, happily helping out with the new baby’s 4 older siblings.

We haven’t given up on day trips, though, and new ways to involve my Mom in family events and her company on day trips. My Mom is a seasoned traveler, but the past decade of illnesses and aging have left her unable to enjoy overnight stays; so we’ve developed tips/resources/benefits of taking my Mom away for the day.

Barry and I have 3 family events coming up, none of which require travel, but still require planning: 1) arrival of my Mom’s newest great-grandchild; 2) 4th of July festivities and Parade in my town; and 3) a 2-day summer Pool Meet Championship in August that involves 6 of our grandchildren.

We also have planned: 1) day trip via ferry to Martha’s Vineyard from Rhode Island; 2) day trip via automobile to the Freedom Trail in Boston; and 3) a summer-long quest for the best Lobster Salad Roll in the state of Rhode Island.

I rely on other Caregivers for their great experience in making travel safe and comfortable (ex: Lori La Bey at Alzheimer’s Speaks), for traveling with my Mom; and I’ve developed a list of our own 5 Must-Haves when we travel both down the street or across state lines with my Mom:

1. Lightweight, compact, folding Wheelchair – my Mom loves to walk and does so indoors for exercise every day, but maneuvering through a hospital maternity ward to visit a new great-grandchild, heading to and enjoying an open air concert in my town, sitting at a swim meet (shade required), or winding though the New England streets of Martha’s Vineyard or historic Boston – a portable wheelchair is a necessity for safety, ease, comfort.  I also research bus, van, sight-seeing vehicle accessibility in advance and make reservations as needed.

2. Small insulated Cooler w/ Snack Compartment  – Cool bottled water, fruits, dry snacks such as crackers/granola bars (and eating utensils & napkins) are necessary to sustain my Mom’s energy levels while visiting/traveling.  A small cool/dry carrier is convenient, easy to store/carry and perfect for my Mom’s favorite go-to snacks.

3.  Small Medication Dispenser – I pack a small medication dispenser with a 2-day supply of my Mom’s medications. If an emergency arises while away from home, my Mom feels comfortable that her correct medications are easily available.  I store the dispenser in the cool/dry carrier.  I also research emergency facilities/hospitals for quick decisions if an emergency arises. 

4. Small backpack with extra clothing/personal items – I keep, in my car, a small backpack of my Mom’s clothing (extra jacket, rain hat, visor, socks, shoes, under garments) and personal items (preferred sunblock, lip balm, hand wipes, extra eye glasses). When visiting/traveling with us, this backpack is always at-the-ready, easy to carry and a comfort zone item for my Mom.

5. Literature/Reading Material – my Mom loves to know about events/places and loves literature/brochures, etc. to study.  For a swim meet, we give my Mom heat sheets in advance so she’ll know just when her great-grandkids are swimming, their events/times and even the competition!  For our 4th of July festivities and parade (Bristol, RI – home to the oldest continuously running 4th of July Parade in the United States – 228th year), we give my Mom a calendar of events and the Parade Division line-up. My Mom becomes our personal Grand Marshall of info.  Traveling to Martha’s Vineyard and Boston’s Freedom Trail this summer gives my Mom lots of interesting things to research.

And the best Lobster Roll in Rhode Island?  My Mom studies the daily newspaper for advertisements and claims, and although we’ve already found two delicious ones, we have an on-going summer 2013 plan to check them all out to discover our very favorite.

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All of these events/day trips keep my Mom vibrant, excited and with a kick in her step.  The planning and executing takes more time and effort and we sometimes must change all the plans, but the benefits are incredibly satisfying for all involved.  Our grandkids see their Great-Grandma Rita as a vital part of our family, and they help in any way they can.  They enjoy my Mom as well as love her; and my own 4 adult children see the aging process in a family Caregiving way.

And I get to spend precious time with my Mom, not so much in my Caregiving role, but as a participant on little life adventures.  I love this.  But I think the most precious day of this summer will be seeing my Mom hold her little newborn great-granddaughter Victoria… expected the first week of July.

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AARP offers excellent tips/advice/resources for transportation/vacation as a Caregiver. As many people are gearing up for summer vacations, tips on how to travel with someone you’re caring for or leaving care to someone else while you travel are very important and useful.  Check these out:

As a Caregiver, I turn to AARP.org/Caregiving for every question I have in the care of my Mom, from daily care, housing options and legal advice to medical features, a Caregiving community and the important topic of caring for the caregiver.  Those of us who Caregive are not alone, even though it may sometimes seem so; and sometimes the best days turn in a heartbeat to the most challenging days.  AARP has provided us with a strong, vibrant community of experts for all of our Caregiving days, as well as those of us trying our best at common sense… with lots of welcomed help and advice.

Sharon Couto is a member of AARP’s Blogger Kitchen Cabinet on #caregiving, #caresupport, #carekc issues. All opinions are her own.