Summer Travel With Seniors

Summers are often the ideal time for family caregivers to take their senior loved ones on vacation, to reunions or on group outings with family and friends. Planning ahead will help ensure older adults stay safe and comfortable when traveling.

About a month before traveling, be sure the senior consults with his/her doctor to discuss any special health needs, refill prescriptions to last through the trip and update any necessary vaccinations.

• Know your elderly loved one’s physical limitations. Make sure the senior gets plenty of rest before and during travel. In the excitement of the journey, it’s easy to pack in too many activities each day. Take frequent breaks.
• Make use of travel resources. Plan ahead for accommodations and any dietary, mobility or medical needs. Even if your older loved one does not usually use mobility aids, walking longer distances in airports or train or bus terminals can quickly exhaust seniors.
• Pack for the worst-case scenario. Keep all of the senior’s prescription medications with you at all times.
• Verify phone numbers with relatives and friends, and update emergency contact information in your cellphone, in case you need to reach relatives.
• Let travel apps guide you. The plethora of travel apps for smartphones can point out directions, keep track of trip expenses, and provide weather information and much more.
• Dress for comfort. In warmer weather, be sure the senior wears lightweight clothing in light colors to reduce overheating. Loose, comfortable clothing is best for traveling seniors to help with optimal circulation.
• Avoid direct sun and too much heat. Seniors are particularly vulnerable to heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Be sure your older loved one stays hydrated and wears sunscreen and a hat.

If your senior may need more assistance than you will be able to provide, consider hiring a caregiver to travel with you.

What helpful tips can you offer about traveling with seniors?

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Senior Travel

Summer Travel With Seniors

2nd Annual Hymns At The Trail

How To Deal With Grief

This is a page I'm working on to help those who have lost loved ones, or for you to share with those who are going through grief.

The Edmond Church of Christ provides many resources along with its ministerial staff, a Grief Share ministry, individuals to talk with, Mathews Funeral home has grief groups, and a number of other resources.

Psalm 31:5-16

                               ===============

                               STAGES OF GRIEF

                               ===============

• Grief has an impact on every person.
• Grief can sometimes be very isolated.
• Often grief is more public.
• Grief is a serious matter.
• We must prepare ourselves to be realistic about grief.

• Blessed are those who mourn.                             Matt 5:4
• Our culture doesn't value mourning.
• Jesus mourned.
• Christians mourn.
• We don't always mourn the right way.

• Recognizing sorrow.
• Sorrow is the sadness due to a loss.
• Despair is the loss of all confidence or hope.
• Self-pity is the self-indulgent lingering on sorrow.

• Drinking the cup of sorrow.
• Grief comes in different quantities, but is always limited.
• We cannot feel God's comfort until we have felt our sorrow.

• Some psychologists divide the grieving process into four stages.
• Numbness.
• Searching and yearning.
• Disorientation.
• Reorganization.

• Allow others to grieve.
• We cannot judge when another person has cried enough or
• There is a place for grief in God's presence.

• The Church must minister to those who grieve.
• Three out of every four women will be a widow.
• Those who have grieved can give comfort to others.     2 Cor 1:4
• Grieving people are open to the promises of God.

Broken Hearts from the loss of a loved one.

There are many in our congregation willing to "listen" and walk along side those who are going through this type of grief. One of our own members Kathy Z is a widow who is always willing to listen because she cares. 

Five Common Scams Directed at Seniors

Five Common Scams Directed at Seniors (and How to Avoid Them)

I'm sure there are those who would disagree with the things mentioned in the article, but at least it is something to think about when looking at this question.

Scammers and identity thieves prey on all types, but some of the most vulnerable—and often targeted—by those criminals are senior citizens. From convincing “reverse mortgage” ads to aggressive calls claiming to be from the government, here are some of the most common scams directed at seniors, and how to avoid them or help your relatives avoid them.

1. Reverse Mortgage Advertising
2. “IRS” Calls
3. The “Your Child/Grandchild/Etc Needs Money” Trap
4. Medicare or Prescription Drug Scams
5. Funeral Home or Obituary Scams

For more details or discussion on these topics, go to LifeHacker