For many people, winter is full of family, friends and food. However, winter weather may make it more complicated to get out of the house, especially when an aging family member is the one driving. Seniors without traveling caregivers have to rely on their own vehicle for transportation, and they should be aware that driving in winter weather requires additional safety measures and extra care.Senior Travel Tips for Driving During the HolidaysWinterization Of VehiclesMake sure the brakes, headlights and windshield wipers are working properly. Also, check on the antifreeze levels, oil levels, gas tank levels and tires. It is important, especially for seniors, that the heater and defroster are fully functioning as seniors are more susceptible to the frigid winter temperatures.Avoid Road Closures and High Traffic TimesDuring heavy traffic periods, there are more people on the road and higher chances for traffic accidents. If the roads are bad, avoid using back roads and shortcuts. Many of these roads are less likely to be plowed or salted and may be more dangerous than well-traveled roads.Emergency PreparednessPut together an emergency kit to store in the trunk of the car, including:A blanketFood and waterA flashlight with extra batteriesA first-aid kitJumper cablesAn ice scraperSand, salt or non-clumping kitty litter to provide extra tire tractionExtra clothing, boots and glovesIf you are a family caregiver and dont feel comfortable with your family member driving in the winter weather, dont hesitate to ask for help. An elderly travel companion is the perfect plus-one to get your loved one from point A to point B safely.Family Caregiver Travel Tips There is no doubt the holidays can be demanding. For family caregivers, this time of year can be even more difficult due to less time and additional responsibilities. FirstLight Home Care has wrapped up some tips for traveling caregivers to help them make it through the holiday season with more joy and less stress.Establish ground rules.In advance of family arriving, make sure you communicate the physical and mental changes or abilities of the loved one in your care so there are no surprises. Its okay to plan for visits throughout the holidays but also plan for plenty of downtime for your loved and for you.Simplify.Ease the holiday chaos and burden by simplifying. Minimize holiday decorations in and around your loved ones home. Also, be aware that flashing lights can be frightening to some Alzheimers and dementia patients, while wires and decorative items can become tripping hazards.Plan ahead of time.The more you can do in advance of company arriving, the better it will be for you and the family member in your care.Encourage some of your family get-togethers to be potluck meals instead of cooking everything yourself.Stock up on groceries in the event of impromptu visits from friends and family.Purchase gift cards to have on hand for last-minute gift-giving needs.Hire a professional caregiver to help you with day-to-day activities around the home or with specific errands so that you have the time and energy to enjoy the holidays.Maintain routines.Keep your loved one on a regular routine as much as possible. Sticking with their daily habits of eating, sleeping and medication schedules will help with behavioral and emotional challenges, and it can reduce feelings of anxiety and stress.Ask for assistance.Enlist the help of friends and family who may have time off during the holidays or who are in town visiting.Ask family members to help with grocery shopping.Have friends and family bring over meals that can be frozen in advance of upcoming gatherings.Ask a neighbor to help string up holiday lights.Ask family to help with wrapping gifts or take advantage of local gift-wrapping services.Hire traveling caregivers to come in and support you before, during and after the holidays.Remember self-care.The holidays can be a crazy time of year and it can be easy to let your own needs slip. However, it has been proven that when you take care of yourself, you take better care of others. Watch for these signs:Loss of motivation.Feelings of disconnection with your loved one, other relationships or work.Feeling depressed, irritable or hopeless.Lack of interest in activities you once enjoyed.Hiring an elderly travel companion can help with burnout, in addition to reading a book, taking a long walk or having coffee with a friend.Benefits Of A Senior Travel CompanionElderly travel companions can be great during the winter months. Not only do they keep your loved ones awake and aware, but they can also help them navigate the slippery roads and get through heavy traffic. If your loved ones dont have someone to travel with in bad winter weather, make sure that you or someone else knows where theyre going, and they have a cell phone in case of an emergency.Firstlight Home Care Senior Travel Companion ServicesSenior travel can be merry with the help of traveling caregivers. Tis the holiday season! Its not just about surviving this time of the year its also about thriving. FirstLight offers a variety of services such as travel companionship to make visiting family and friends a breeze.

The holidays will be here before we know it. If your senior loved one wants to travel this merry season, be sure to get them where they need to go safely and with minimal stress. Travel companions for seniors can be a great option to take the worry out of the holidays.Holiday travel, especially senior travel, can be hectic and stressful if its not properly planned with a well-organized itinerary and companion services. If you are a son or daughter in charge of caring for a senior loved one, there may be times that they will want to fly for vacation or to visit other relatives during the holidays. And you may not always be able to accompany them. The thought of your loved one embarking on elderly travel alone can be scary.Everyone knows the stress that traveling entails, especially senior travel. Making your flight on time, getting through airport security and remembering where you put your ticket can be hectic enough. For seniors, the stress of travel is often amplified to the point that they feel uncomfortable traveling, and sadly it keeps many from participating in these family events that we all enjoy. In order to make sure no family is without their loved ones due to an inability to travel, FirstLight Home Care provides a service called travel companions for seniors that helps make sure your aging parents senior travel is as safe and stress-free as possible.What is a Senior Travel Companion?Whether your loved one is on a cruise, staying at a resort or simply visiting family or friends, we strive to make their vacation or visit as comfortable as possible. Our qualified travel companions for seniors are ready to accommodate any needs, including help getting them there, getting them home and even help throughout their entire stay.With services like travel companions for seniors, FirstLight Home Cares extraordinary caregivers aid any adult along their journey through companion services. From helping with travel to providing companionship along the way, our caregivers ensure your parents have a safe and enjoyable trip, the way it should be. Wherever your loved one is going, our caregivers strive to make their vacation or visit as comfortable as possible. Dont let travel apprehension stop your loved ones from enjoying time spent with family. If you have an aging parent and are worried for their safety and care while traveling, contact us today to see how we can help with our companion services.Benefits of A Senior Travel Companion?Assistance with airport check-in and ticketingCarrying luggageAssistance with getting through security or customsAssistance with ground transportationOur certified personal companions can even assist with things like:BathingDressingHygieneMealsMedication remindersHoliday Tips For Elderly TravelWith the right research and planning, you can get your senior loved one where they need to go safely regardless of using companion services. Below are a few tips on how to make holiday travel a seamless process that keeps seniors comfortable, relaxed and arriving at their destination with ease.Prepare documents and medicationsWhen booking flights, you and your senior should get as much information as possible. Having an informational packet put together will help everyone know what to expect and feel prepared for whatever may arise.Your packet should include:Flight departure and arrival timesTransportation options to and from the airportTerminal maps and gate locationsMedication regulations and necessary documentsTSA safety check processLook through the TSA website to learn about which medications are allowed and how to communicate with an officer about medically necessary bottles or containers. Request copies of prescriptions and statements of medical conditions from each physician and medical center for verification.Making photocopies of passports, drivers license, insurance cards, travel tickets and the trips itinerary provides a backup in case of any unforeseen emergencies. Keep one set of copies with you (the caregiver), place a set of the documents in your seniors carry-on bag and forward a set of the documents to the destination.Research elderly travel companionsFor some seniors, traveling can be tricky no matter how well-planned their trip may bewhether its mobility issues, medication concerns or just anxiety that comes with travel. As the family caregiver, it might make sense for you to find a senior travel companion to help your loved one along on their trip, especially if you are unable to travel with them.Elderly travel companions assist senior travelers every step of the way. They keep them company, remind them to take their medications, and provide family caregivers at home with peace of mind knowing someone is there with your travelers best interest in mind.Consider insuranceWhen youre a senior traveler, there are additional factors that should be considered regarding insurance. What happens if a fall takes place or you run out of your medication?Health Insurance: If traveling within the United States, be sure to look up what hospitals accept your health insurance and if there is coverage during travel. If going abroad, look at buying a travel medical plan or vacation plan that includes medical emergencies.Trip Insurance: There are a few different options when choosing trip insurance. For seniors, there can be unexpected delays due to appointments, or medical clearance delays. Therefore, it is ideal that trip cancellation protection is provided.FirstLight Home Care Senior Travel Companion ServicesRemember, its important to continue to live life to the fullest at any age. Following these basic tips and finding the right companion services will save you a few headaches during holiday travel. Keep this merry season filled with fun adventures and safe travels. If youre interested in learning more about our home care services, check out our pricing.

You dont have to spend your golden years in one place. If you imagine living abroad but dont want to give up your life at home, you do not have to. Many ex-pats spend part of the year in one country and the rest in another. Imagine spending time in warm weather or seeing your family on noteworthy occasions and enjoying life abroad throughout the year. You can have it both ways Assured Senior Livingpresents a guide that explains how.Planning for RetirementWhen retiring with two homes in two different countries, you need to have a clear plan. According to the experts, your first plan should be to check the visa andresidency requirements. Every country differs, as do all of the different laws. Keep in mind that there are exchange rate fluctuations.Before moving to anew country, collect your important documents and place them in a folder. You should also have a file on your computer full of necessary paperwork. Find out about any vaccination requirements in both countries.Set up all of your bank accounts for online access. You should have the capability of viewing your transactions no matter where you are. Online, you can pay bills and make money transfers between banks. Another convenient way to plan for your finances is to ensure you have mobile apps for your banks on the phone.Learning to Live AbroadLearning to live abroad means learning the culture and the language. If you spend part of your retirement in a country that speaks a language other than your native language, consider learning the language. For example, if youre moving somewhere like India, set a goal to read a newspaper article. Read as often as you can. On the one hand, you have an opportunity to relax with a book and on the other, you learn more words and context.If you do not want to buy a property abroad, consider long-term rentals. In longer rentals, you can stay in one place for months at a time. When you live part-time in a country, you learn the culture faster by enveloping yourself in it while there.Taking Care of Obligations RemotelyWhen you split your time between countries, you cannot always handle your finances in person. Instead, you may have to handle investments, mortgages, car payments and other financial obligations online. Likewise, you may need to contribute to taxes depending on where you live. For example, Americans living abroad have to file a U.S. tax return. Find out your tax requirements ahead of time, so there are no surprises during tax season.If you have family or loved ones to support in one country, you can still help when you are away. Like many expats, you can enjoy your retirement in one country and still help friends and family back home when necessary. One of the best ways to stay connected and help others is through the internet. Use social media to remain close to those you love, wherever you are.If you need to send money home, there are various ways to support it from afar. For example, if you split your time between India and the U.S., you can transfer money with services like Remitly. Remitly offer slow or zero fees and if you spend less than $1000, you may only have to pay $3.99 through express and economy service.If you want to spend retirement abroad, there are many ways you can do it. As long as you plan and dive into the culture, you can live as an ex-pat wherever you wish.