Travelling with Elderly Parents – Tips to Make Them Happy
Singapore is one of the only countries in the world to call her elderly “senior citizens”, perhaps to accurately reflect the fact that they may be more senior in age, but they are definitely not old. Recent statistics from the Ministry of Social and Family Development show that 48% of seniors aged 65 and above are still active in the workforce1!
This zest for life naturally includes a passion for exploring the world in their golden years. In fact, travel is one of the top 5 ways seniors choose to enjoy their CPF savings with2. It is also one of the best ways to spend quality time with your parents and grandparents amidst your busy schedule. Bringing your parents or grandparents on a year-end holiday? Here are some things to note so that everyone can have fun!
Plan ahead and involve our parents
Like any trips we make, research and planning are essential. It is even more so when it involves travelling with elderly parents.
For Alexa Chin, our #TravelEasywithMSIG contest winner, she makes it a point to involve her parents in the planning stages and seek their opinions on the itinerary. Not only does this gives an indication of what our parents are comfortable with or excited about, it also eases their minds and make them feel appreciated.
Besides researching on must-see places, we should also find out if these places require extensive amount of walking or have terrain that may not be suitable for our elderly parents. If your parents are not active by nature, encourage them to walk around the estate for a few weeks before the trip. This will prep them for all the walking they will do during your holiday.
“I will discuss the tour plans with my parents during my walks with them to get them excited for the trip. It is also a great way to make sure that they are mentally prepared for all the activities I have planned,” says Jiaxin Quek, a 29-year-old marketing executive who has planned more than ten trips for her parents in the past five years.
At the end day, older folks may need more time to fully enjoy each place, so make sure you plan enough time in your itinerary for them to rest and recharge! It is also good practice to cater extra travelling time so your folks do not feel rushed or get tired easily. Make it more enjoyable for them by planning a few stops at places they would be interested in, such as historical sites or scenic areas.
Consider their health
Before your trip, bring your parents or grandparents for a visit to their doctor so that they have sufficient medication for the trip. Consider discussing your travel plans with their doctor as they would be able to highlight any places or activities that may trigger certain health conditions.
During your trip, pack their medication (cater for extras!) and carry them with you. Tip: label the medication with its name and what they are for to ensure no mix-up. You should also bring a written prescription of their medication just in case you need more when you are overseas!
If they are required to take their medication on regular intervals, set an alarm or reminder on your phone so you can really focus on having fun instead of watching the clock.
Lastly, check the legal dosage of their medication in the country you are visiting. When in doubt, declare their medication at the customs.
Focus on comfort
Besides planning with convenience in mind, comfort should also be prioritised for our elderly parents. Prepare a packing list for them to ensure that they always pack light.
We could also help lighten their load by packing some of their things in our bags. If we rent a car, we could leave most of the items in the car and only take out the essentials.
The elderly are also less accustomed and tolerant to the cold. As such, check the weather before leaving our accommodation and ensure that everyone is adequately dressed. Bring along a vacuum flask too so our parents can always have a hot drink and keep warm.
Choose the right hotel
Some modern hotels may have design features such as a bathroom without doors, low tables or dark rooms, which may not be suitable for the elderly. Scrutinize those room photos carefully before making a booking!
We know it is tempting to get a hotel with a good view for the ‘gram, but your hotel should be easily accessible and not require you to climb steep slopes. You can call beforehand to check if they have elderly-friendly features such as lifts, wheelchair facilities, ramps and even grab-bars in the toilets if needed.
Rent a car
Renting a car may not be the cheapest transport option but it is the most convenient for elderly parents. Like kids, our elderly parents tire easily too.
As such, we should try to minimise the need for them to walk long distances to get to a location. Avoiding the public transport especially during peak hours can actually be safer for our elderly parents. They do not have to worry about not getting seats during long commutes or getting injured as a result of being pushed or tripped by large crowds.
If you do rent a car, get internet data and use Google Maps to navigate your way through the foreign roads.
Get EX-tra cover
If your elderly parents or grandparents have a stable and controlled pre-existing medical condition, it is a good idea to be covered under MSIG’s TravelEasy Pre-Ex so you can truly travel worry-free.
With no upper age limit, TravelEasy Pre-Ex will cover your elderly loved ones for the high costs of overseas hospitalisation expenses and evacuation if they become critically ill during the trip due to their pre-existing medical conditions.
Besides, travel insurance comes in handy in the event of an accident, flight delay or in other emergencies. As many travel insurers provide emergency concierge, you can be assured of getting proper help in times of need.
“I always purchase travel insurance from MSIG after a smooth claim experience. I submitted a claim for a flight delay once and all I had to do was to submit the claim form plus all supporting documents to receive the claim settlement cheque,” added Alexa.
With everything that our parents have done for us, the least we can do is to let them have a fun and memorable trip with a peace of mind.
Start your holiday with your elderly loved ones on the right foot with MSIG’s TravelEasy Pre-Ex! Find out more about TravelEasy Pre-Ex here.
1 https://www.msf.gov.sg/research-and-data/Research-and-Statistics/Pages/Statistical-Indicators-on-the-Elderly.aspx
2 https://www.singstat.gov.sg/find-data/search-by-theme/population/elderly-youth-and-gender-profile/external-sources, National Survey of Senior Citizens 2011
