If you are caring for your loved one every day, it is understandable that you may become a little concerned about how they would cope if you needed to go away on holiday. If you know that you are going to be caring for them for a number of years, then you simply cannot go without having a holiday for such a long time – and for this reason you should be aware of what needs to be done when you are planning one. The good news is that with the right planning, you can certainly go away without having to worry about how your loved one is going to be taken care of.
Make sure the house is safe and easy to navigate
If your loved one is going to have to spend more time on their own than usual, then you will need to make sure that everything in their home is as safe as it can be. Sometimes, this can be as easy as tidying up to make sure that there is nothing that they can trip over. At other times, you may need to take more drastic action, such as thinking about having a walk-in bath fitted – as this would mean that your loved one could be more independent while washing, which would give you peace of mind while you are away.
Don’t make an announcement weeks in advance
If your elderly relative is worried when spending time on their own, there is little to be gained from telling them about your holiday weeks in advance, as this simply gives them more time to worry. Instead, you should tell them once everything is in place, so they can be assured that you have thought about everything that needs to be done to keep them safe while you are away.
Let other people know
If you are currently the only carer for your elderly relative, you should let other people know that you are going away. This could be people like other family members, or even neighbours or friends. Anyone who could pay your loved one a visit can be very helpful at this time, as it means that you know they won’t be on their own for the whole time. If there are other carers who help you, it is worth letting them know that you will be away, as they may be able to visit more regularly for the holiday period.
Make a plan to keep in touch
Although you won’t physically be present to take care of your loved one while you are away, there is nothing to stop you being in touch. You will need to decide how often to contact your loved one, whether it’s every morning, or every couple of days. If you put a plan in place, your loved one can ensure that they are sitting near to their phone when you call, which will help you to put your mind at rest once you have spoken to them. If you know that your loved one spends a lot of time on their own, the thought of a phone call with you may give them something that they are able to look forward to, which can only be a good thing if they are a little worried about you being away.
No matter where you are planning to go, or how long you are going for, there is no doubt that it is well worth making these plans, as you need to make sure your loved one is safe. A holiday is absolutely possible, and it will help you recharge your batteries, too.