Preparing For A Trip With Grandparents

When it comes to traveling, it already requires managing quite a few details to make sure you have a successful trip. This is even more true if you are going to be traveling with your elderly grandparents. Whether it’s just you or a whole family trip, having your grandparents with you will be a blessing and a responsibility. While it is an amazing opportunity for you to bond, and everyone will enjoy spending time together, you need to make sure you prepare ahead of time. Careful planning of a few items and issues early on, that are small but crucial, will ensure you have a smooth, fun, and a safe trip with your grandparents. You want to make sure your grandparents have fun, as should you. 

So, here are some travel tips and pointers you should consider before booking your travels with your grandparents:

Plan Ahead

If you haven’t decided on a destination yet, consider choosing a destination together with your grandparents that they will enjoy and that is easy to travel to. Try to stick to locations that won’t require more than a non-stop flight that isn’t longer than 3-4 hours. If you have already decided on your destination, then plan your itinerary ahead of time to be as accommodating and as accessible as possible. When looking into fun things to do, consider that travelling with the elderly will need to be more laid back and should be at a pace that makes them comfortable. No one wants to be dragging their grandparents around for hours at a local sightseeing spot or standing in line forever to get tickets, or waiting outside for dinner reservations. So, reserve and book everything you possibly can in advance for a smooth and planned out trip that will not be tiring to them or overwhelming. 

Consider Their Health

Before embarking on your bonding trip, make sure that your grandparents book a doctor’s appointment. This visit is needed for a health checkup that clears them for travel if they have any chronic health issues and to get refills on any medication prescriptions they need while they are out of town. For extra precaution, consider getting travel insurance; as this will give you and them peace of mind, should either of them feel sick or in the event of an emergency, you are financially covered. Before traveling, check the airlines for wheelchairs if needed and special senior lines for accelerated check-ins.  

Be Prepared for the Flight

We all know that sitting on a plane for an extended period of time can quickly get uncomfortable. So, prepare extra blankets and neck pillows so your grandparents can be seated as comfortably as possible. Make sure to remind them to carry their medicines and any other items they need regularly in their carry-on bags. Also, prepare a few snacks to keep on hand in case either of them needs to eat prior to taking their medication or is running low on energy. Before traveling, see if you can pre-choose flight seats and choose aisle seats so they are able to move around freely. 

Don’t Overdo It

Now that you have chosen your destination, planned your flight route, reserved hotels, and restaurants, and conducted the necessary health checks, it’s time to have fun at your destination. While your grandparents will surely want to see much and do more, having an overloaded itinerary will tire them out. To enjoy your time, plan leisurely days that involve one or two sights at max, with long meal breaks and spending quality time together. The point is to spend time bonding and enjoying your time together. When traveling with the elderly, relaxation and laid-back activities are key to creating the best memories and without overwhelming them. 

Look into Senior Discounts

It’s a known fact that almost all travel/tourist destinations offer senior citizen discounts. Be it airlines, cruises, hotels, travel sites, and restaurants. As your grandparents are most likely in retirement, going on a trip with them shouldn’t be draining on their retirement funds. So, don’t purchase or book anything without asking whether the venue you are considering offers senior discounts.  

Traveling with your grandparents can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You will get to bond and spend quality time with them. You will spend time listening to all their stories, seeing them have fun together and with the family, while they enjoy fun and new activities. So, make sure to prepare ahead of time with them before traveling. Plan your destination carefully, make sure they have their medicines, plan a relaxing itinerary, and you will be ready to have fun and a memory-filled trip together.