. Travel With Grandma: Packing

March 11, 2010

Packing

Don’t wait til the last minute to think about what Grandma needs to bring. In addition to clothing and typical toiletries, she may have health-related items that take up space but need to come along.

If Grandma doesn’t have a suitcase and doesn’t travel much, try to find one for free at http://www.freecycle.org/. Make sure it's large enough for all her things, and keep in mind that it’ll probably be YOU who will be carrying it.

Keep in mind the planned itinerary and unplanned surprises when considering what to pack. Always consider her comfort. Grandma may have an idea of what she wants to bring, but make sure it's realistic. She should try things on if she hasn’t worn them in several months. To prevent falls, ensure that nothing is too long. If she has lost height or weight, things may be longer/looser than they were before. If you can, have her try things on while you’re there, so you can both weigh in on decisions. If she has tops and bottoms that can be mixed and matched to make several outfits, all the better. Items that don’t wrinkle easily are a plus. Remember that elderly people are often cold when the rest of us are comfortable. Bring layers!

Give a great deal of thought to shoes. Make sure her footwear fits securely and offers excellent support, with ties, straps or Velcro straps. No slides, no heels – unless she has good balance and mobility, and falling is not an issue! Check the soles - they should be non-slip. Ensure that her slippers are non-slip, too. Some good ones I have found have rubber soles: http://www.totes-isotoner.com/product/isotoner/women/slippers/ballerinas/terry+ballerina.do?sortby=ourPicks

If your itinerary involves dressing up, make sure Grandma has a pair of safe shoes to wear. I found nice-looking sandals in silver, which Grandma wore to our children’s weddings. There may be a shoe store in your area that caters to the disabled and carries brands that are especially good. In any case, a good fit and non-slip soles are a must.

Scroll down or see Blog Archive in left sidebar for other posts:
Freecycle (Feb. 17)
Renting a Car (Feb. 2)
Paid Caregivers (Jan. 13)
How to Select a Hotel (Dec. 28)
Meds, Meds, Meds (Dec. 14)
Expectations (Oct. 26)
Planning (Oct. 23)

2 comments:

  1. You are to be commended for establishing this blog. I'm 78 and over the past two years have realized how difficult it has become to travel alone. What a joy it would be to have someone to travel with me

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  2. A wonderful post...

    ReplyDelete