 | Rev. Bill Shook has been with Prairie Homestead Retirement Center for 27 years. 26 of those years he has acted as the Administrator. He retired in March 2006 but is still involved with the organization in a consultant role. Over the 27 years of service he developed the retirement community into a continuing care facility. As a continuing care facility retirees can come in at any level of independence and live out their lives on the campus. Rev. Shook holds many degrees, has served in numerous advisory positions and is licensed as a Nursing Home Administrator. He helped start and acted as the Administrator of Homestead Health Center nursing facility for a number of years along with being the Administrator of Prairie Homestead. Rev. Shook can be reached at the Prairie Homestead office, 316-263-8264 or by email at abei@websurf.net |
Senior Living
2007-02-01 16:23:00
How to travel with the folks
The other night my husband and I were talking, and we thought we would like to take his parents on a trip while they are still able to travel. Just wondering your thoughts about what all we should consider as we plan this vacation?
ANSWER: It is good to start planning such a get-away as far in advance as possible. That way you can encounter any problems early on rather than unexpectedly at the last minute. This also allows your parents time to anticipate the trip as well as establish peace of mind for themselves as they see the itinerary in advance. Perhaps you already have a destination in mind, but, if not, this will need to be your first decision. Since you didn’t mention about the time of year that you will be taking this trip, it is a good thing to remember that with seniors, warm climates which are designed to be senior-friendly are some of the most popular. Will you be traveling in the U.S. or other dry, sunny and mild locales such as Ireland, The Greek Islands, the south part of France, or England? Have your parents traveled around much during their lives? They may feel they have been everywhere and that there is nothing yet to see. Some seniors just enjoy going, not necessarily even far away, where they can play a number of rounds of golf over a period of days. Others enjoy going where they can get back to nature and do even such a simple and enjoyable activity as bird watching. You can also include with either of these hotel accommodations that have varied adult-only spas, hot tubs, circulating waters, healing spas, heated swimming pools, etc. For some seniors whose muscles have become achy over the years, this simple treat is pure enjoyment. Sometimes it is relaxing and fun just to drive and stop as you come to each town and see what quaint shops, scenery, nature parks, or walking paths each holds. As you can see, simple experiences can still be peaceful, relaxing, and fulfilling. It has been said that certain destinations have more of a “senior quotient” than others; in other words, more senior-friendly than others. Seniors have actually “outgrown” some activities and yet have room to “grow” in others such as opera, well-known art museums, and fine wines.
Let’s look at some specific spots to consider; maybe the Northeast part of the U.S. would be good. How about visiting Saratoga Springs located between the scenic Hudson Valley and the beginning of the Adirondack Mountains? It is just several hours from New York City. It is known for its thoroughbred racing fame in July and August but also includes fine dining restaurants as well as is known for the New York City Ballet and the Philadelphia Orchestra. If you are thinking about a vacation in the autumn time-frame, it is breath-taking to experience the beauty of the fall foliage tours specifically in the New England area? The mountainsides are covered with at least fifty shades of yellows, reds, and greens. Depending upon your parents’ agility, perhaps you could even try a gentle hike under the autumn leaves in the Appalachian Mountains near the White Mountain National Forest where it seems there are unending forests of brilliant falling leaves. Or maybe you are considering visiting overseas? Ireland has long been popular because of its history and culture. Walking, unique shopping experiences, and terrific food are all a part of this potential great experience. Dublin might be the place to enrich your parents’ experience of literary appreciation like Oscar Wilde and Yeats, Shaw and Joyce. There are many activities centralized within a small area making it an easy city for seniors to visit. It seems that most tourists like to visit Dublin between December and March even though it is cold and wet and the days are shortest then. So April through June might be a good choice of timeframes in order to avoid the huge crowds of traffic. Rain is prevalent there, so be sure and take rain gear for whenever you decide to visit, if you decide that is the place. Or, maybe you would prefer the south part of France where you will find sunshine, warm and friendly people, ancient Latin recipes for surprising wines, and exciting Mediterranean food. Lodging there ranges from the deluxe to reasonably priced. The ancient Romans believed that a deep red wine called Mulsum maintained youth. Mulsum contains parts of cinnamon, pepper and thyme and is very delicious. One of the places you could try this experimental creation is a winery located about halfway between Arles and Nimes. Another interesting place overseas which you might want to consider is what is called the South Downs Way. This is located south of London and provides a 99 mile walk across the English downs where tourists can stop at interesting historic towns and villages along the way. This, Britain’s oldest public footpath is considered senior-friendly because of excellent railroads, bus, and taxi accommodations along the way. Pastures and meadows full of poppies and many varieties of wild flowers would make this an excellent choice for a short or a long hike.
The next decision you need to make is the method of transportation you will use. Of course, going by air is the quickest but it is also the most expensive mode of travel. It is usually the method of choice if you are going to travel across the country or overseas. Within the continental United States, it is possible that the train would be a good choice. There are people who travel this way as a means to reconnect with the beauty of America and yet be free of the hassle of driving. As you ride the train you will also have more time to meet new people and talk with them about where they have gone and where you have been. You might even make new friends that will last beyond the trip. There is also quite a difference in the cost of transportation via train as opposed to the airline, so check it out. Some of the trains also offer a senior citizen discount, which would be helpful to you. Of course, the automobile allows you to take your time and see the sites at your leisure. This is definitely one of the most popular ways to travel around the United States. For safety reasons, it is best to drive during daylight hours. Don’t plan to get too far in one day. Remember the purpose of traveling in the automobile is to have a relaxed trip, and it is always important to get out and stretch along the way. Allow enough night hours to get plenty of sleep so that you are refreshed and ready to go the next day.
Hopefully this will give you some ideas of new places to visit. Because there are more and more seniors, more and more senior-friendly destinations are opening up all the time making for new possibilities. This can be a very special time for all four of you as the focus can be on yourselves rather than in years past when it was all for the children. If these ideas do not seem to “ring your bell,” there are many additional sources on the internet through a simple search for “senior-friendly vacations.” Your local tourism bureau will also have additional literature. You will probably find that you receive extra special treatment as you do travel with your parents since in lots of cases it is only the seniors who can truly afford to travel, and the people in the travel industry need their business in order to stay afloat. There are many exciting travel options for seniors in this day and age. Do your homework and research thoroughly, then pick your place and enjoy yourselves. There are several other items important to consider when traveling with seniors: finding good restaurants, staying fit while away, eating healthy while traveling, and, also, travel safety. We will share about these subjects in our next issue.
