By Audrey Lee
Planning a trip with elderly family members can remind us all to slow down and enjoy what is around us. Scenic drives can be some of the best mini-trips you can take to bond with your parents. Here are some tips for a scenic drive senior citizens will love.
Creative Bathroom Breaks
As we age, our bladders weaken, thus causing us to frequently pull over to use the restroom. This can be an exciting way to explore the areas around you. Before heading out, survey the towns you will drive through and plan to take a rest at an interesting location. This could be an antique shop, ice cream parlor, museum or cute boutique. Stopping at these locations makes going to the restroom fun and may be less embarrassing for seniors to ask you to stop every so often.
Go With the Flow
When enjoying a ride with an older person, do not schedule too many things for the day. Each person is different, but planning too many must-do activities may be overwhelming to some. Instead, take one stop at a time and go slow. Take your time looking through antiques or the roadside farmers market you stumbled upon. Try not to set too many expectations for the day’s itinerary. Go with the flow and see where you wind up. If your elderly family member or friend begins to feel sick, be ok heading home and ending the trip early.
Iceland. Photo: Glowonconcept | Dreamstime.com
Enjoy People Watching
Sitting on a bench enjoying a bright pink strawberry ice cream cone while watching other visitors can be super relaxing for senior citizens. People have some strange behaviors that can be pretty amusing. Sit back, relax and enjoy some free entertainment.
Left, Right, Straight
While driving and taking in the scenery around you, play a game. This game allows passengers to take control of the direction you will be heading. Let the passenger choose to turn left, right or straight when you arrive at a traffic light. This will keep your elderly travel buddy involved in the driving so they do not start to doze off in the car. This little game may bring you to a new little town or fun attraction you have never heard of before.
Bring Snacks and Water
Blood sugar levels and dehydration are a concern for many seniors. They may begin to feel sick if they have not eaten in a while or have not had enough to drink. Bring along some protein-rich snacks that will boost sugar levels like peanut butter crackers, raisins and oranges. Water is also important. If your travel partner is worried about using the restroom, reassure them you already planned fun places to stop for a bathroom break and fun little side trip.
Read This Next
#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedDestinations / Caribbean
Apr 16, 2024Family-Friendly Offerings to Book in St. Barts This Summer
Plan your summer family travel to St. Barts.
Sponsored Content
United Airlines Celebrates its First Class of United Aviate Graduates
As the only major U.S. airline to own a flight school, United Airlines already hit a major milestone, and now the carrier celebrates another important — and historic — step as the inaugural class of United Aviate Academy pilots graduates, leading the next generation of aviators. The 51 students in the graduating class were majority, at 80 percent, women and people of color — another stride toward United’s goal of training 5,000 new pilots by 2030 with half women or POC.
Destinations
Apr 16, 20243 of the Best Hotel Lazy Rivers for Summer Fun
What better way to both escape the heat and soak up the summer sun than floating down a lazy river? From Mexico to South Carolina, these hotels invite family travelers to book a stay to relax but and take on the calming currents of the lazy river.
Cruising
Apr 15, 2024Some of Europe’s Best Day Cruises
A week cruising along the Danube or the Rhine may be the stuff of dreams for many, but family travelers can enjoy views from the water in ways kinder to the family budget. Many riverside cities offer scenic cruises, and some Baltic or Mediterranean ports have daytrips to nearby islands or coastal attractions. In several cities you can cruise the canals, and in Switzerland you can spend a day cruising on Lake Geneva, with sightseeing stops in lakeside towns.
Sponsored Content
Unearth Seoul’s Hidden Gems
Filled with hidden treasures waiting to be discovered, Seoul invites travelers to unearth its many gems, and Seoul Tourism Organization is here to help travelers do just that. Through thoughtfully created initiatives like the Theme Tourism County Competition, Seoul Tourism Organization works closely with local districts to identify and showcase what makes each district unique and charming in all seasons.
Destinations / North America
Apr 15, 2024Where to Celebrate Mother’s Day in Hawai’i
Take family travel to Hawai’i this May to celebrate Mother’s Day. Two of Hawai’i’s most luxurious hotels, The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort and ESPACIO The Jewel of Waikiki, shower moms with the spirit of aloha with celebrations all weekend long.
ShareThis