The life of a family caregiver is nonstop. The idea of getting away for an afternoon, let alone for an entire week of vacation, feels impossible. But with plenty of preparation and a solid care backup plan in place, it can become a reality.
Prepare for Your Trip (or Staycation) Well in Advance
The sooner you start planning elderly care while on vacation, the more confident you can be that you aren’t forgetting anything.
Starting early will also give you plenty of time to arrange backup care, order necessary supplies, and schedule (or reschedule) any appointments your loved one may need. All of this will allow you to truly relax during your respite vacation.
Arrange backup care for your loved one
It’s time to call in some help! Start communicating as early as possible with family, friends, and neighbors. This will help you determine how much help you can expect. Family and close friends might be able to help your loved one with day-to-day things such as medication reminders, transportation, shopping, and cooking.
If you don’t have enough help nearby, or you’re concerned about gaps, arrange respite care. A professional respite caregiver can do everything you do for your loved one, and your loved one might feel more comfortable with a professional.
Talk it over with your loved one and anyone else involved in their care to find the best solution. Have your backup caregivers spend time with your loved one before your vacation starts. This is another way it helps to plan for your vacation well in advance. By the time your vacation comes around, your loved one may be more comfortable with the idea.
Order supplies and medications
If your loved one needs supplies, such as incontinence pads, medicated creams and ointments, or pain relief aids, order them to ensure they’re stocked up. This will give you peace of mind and will ensure that the backup caregivers have everything they need to help your loved one while you’re away.
Create and share a contact list
As soon as you know your travel itinerary, compile a contact list for your loved one, respite caregivers, and other family members. Include phone numbers of any hotels you’ll be staying at, just in case they can’t reach your phone for some reason.
In addition, the contact list should also contain the names and phone numbers of your loved one’s doctors, pharmacy, therapists, or any other medical professionals they deal with regularly.
Schedule any necessary appointments
Does your loved one have a regular doctor or standing salon appointment that normally falls while you’re on your vacation? Decide whether you’ll leave it to their backup caregiver to make sure they get to it, or reschedule it for before you go.
Prepare meals
If you normally help your loved one prepare their meals, spend a few days before your vacation prepping meals and storing them in the freezer for your loved one. If they’re fairly independent, they can likely reheat dishes and serve themselves as needed.
If they need help at mealtimes, consider labeling the containers before you store them to make it easy for the backup caregiver to sort through them. You may also want to leave a meal plan list with the breakfasts, lunches, and dinners for each day you’ll be gone. This will help your loved one stick to whichever diet they need to, while also making it easier on the person caring for them.
Talk to the neighbors
Let your loved one’s neighbors know that you’ll be away and that they’ll likely see other people stopping by regularly to help while you’re gone. Depending on the neighbor, this information may inspire them to keep an eye on things while you’re away as well. If your loved one and the neighbor are close, consider asking them for help with things like bringing in the mail and any packages!
Prepare Emotionally, as Well
Caregivers absolutely deserve – and desperately need – a break from time to time. Even knowing that, you may feel stress, regret, or even guilt when you decide to take some time for yourself.
Will your loved one get the care they need? Should you just stay home? What if something happens while you’re away? Is it selfish to take a vacation when you’re needed? All these thoughts will likely run through your mind at some point. But taking a vacation is essential to your well-being, and hence, your ability to continue to care for your loved one. There is nothing selfish about taking care of yourself.
Your loved one’s emotions may also need to be managed. They might be fearful about being without you. They may be uncomfortable having other people manage their care and help around the house. They may even be irritable about the situation. Do what you can to reassure them.
Get Professional Respite Vacation Care from Homewatch CareGivers
If you need vacation care for an elderly or chronically ill family member, or anyone else you’re caring for, contact the compassionate, professional caregivers at Homewatch CareGivers. Whether your loved one needs occasional help or 24-hour care, we’re ready to help. Call us at (888) 404-5191 or complete our online form to schedule a free consultation today.
