Travel Tips For Bringing Elderly Parents Abroad

By Farhan Shafie

Here are 5 tips that would be beneficial to anyone who’s planning a holiday for their elderly parents.

ALWAYS BE PUNCTUAL ⌚

Being a chillax kind of person does not apply when it comes to travelling with elderly parents. Some parents are incredibly strict about punctuality. That usually means an early start to each day.

Rather than protest, pick your battles and relent. Head to sleep early and remind one another to get ready. Even on the odd occasion you’re late, have the courtesy to inform your parents ahead of time for a grace period. 

INCLUDE ELDERLY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES 👴👵

This is a more practical tip, especially if your parents are starting to slow down physically. It doesn’t make sense to include a rigorous hiking expedition up a mountain if you’re with your parents, unless they’re still in insane shape. Hey, more power to you! But for the rest, you’ll probably need to chill on any activities that might be physically taxing.

This doesn’t mean y’all can’t have fun, just make sure it’s a relatively low-intensity activity.

ALWAYS BE OF SERVICE 💁

While on vacation, it’s easy to get lost in your own bubble, whether it’s playing with your phone or shopping for your own souvenirs. However, it’s important to always be of service to your parents and to prioritise their needs whenever possible. It is a family holiday, after all, where the whole purpose is to bond with your parents.

You could volunteer to be the designated driver for the family or even strive to be the level-headed one within the group to diffuse any escalating tension.

GET THEM ACQUAINTED WITH TECHNOLOGY 📱

The kids are naturally the gatekeepers when it comes to technology in the family. During the trip, introduce your parents to a number of apps that serve as travel hacks, such as Wise, a multi-currency app that works as an international debit card for overseas travel. 

MANAGE THE BUDGET 💰

Who pays for what during the trip? Well, it really depends on your family dynamics. Regardless, it’s important that you set those terms ahead of time in a way that is respectful and thoughtful.

If you're in a position to sponsor your parents for the entire trip, then great! If everyone prefers to split everything equally, there’s no issue as well.

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