Tips for traveling with older parents as a caregiver

The staffer can help with boarding by using a bridge plate to fill in the gap between the platform and the train or by using station-based mobile lifts. They will even provide assistance to

and from restrooms or with stairs. If you request it, your loved one will be among the first to board. RESEARCH YOUR TRAIN STATION. If your loved one has limited mobility, realize that even

if trains are accessible, train stations might not be. Some stations lack elevators. Others might have elevators but those elevators could be out of service. To make sure you have the most

current information about the accessibility of the stations on your itinerary, look them up online or call to inquire. PACK A PICNIC. Though long-distance trains offer meal service, the

train you take may have a café car with limited options. If your loved one has special dietary needs, the safest option is to pack food for the two of you to enjoy. Getty Images ROAD TRIPS

GIVE YOU THE ULTIMATE FLEXIBILITY Visits of two to five nights to see family and friends in the U.S. are the most common trips, according to the AARP Travel survey. Traveling by car allows

you to follow your own schedule, carry all you need and go at your own pace. The most important advice for a road trip with your loved one is to leave early and stop often. ADD AN EXTRA DAY.

That way, you can make as many stops as needed so your loved one can stretch and move around — important for preventing blood clots — use the bathroom or rest overnight in a hotel. LOOK UP

REST AREAS. If your loved one has medical, mobility or special needs, plan your route with rest stops in mind. Rest areas have accessible lavatories for wheelchair users, thanks to the

Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). State departments of transportation often have information about rest stop availability and accessibility on their websites, but it isn’t always

reliable. So, be prepared with a plan B in case a rest area is closed or inaccessible. UPGRADE YOUR RIDE. If you have a small car and will be traveling a long distance, look into renting a

larger vehicle that will be more comfortable for you and your loved one, says Loverde, who likes to rent an SUV, a van or even a motor home.   QUIZ HOTEL MANAGERS ABOUT EXACT ACCESSIBLE

FEATURES OFFERED Once you’ve done all the hard work of getting to your destination, you’ll want a nice, quiet place to rest. If your loved one has special needs, a lot of legwork may be

necessary to find a hotel that meets their requirements, according to Loverde, who says hotels often claim to offer accessible rooms but are vague about specifics. “You have to be precise

about special needs,” she says. “Call the hotel and ask about elevators, and you have to ask about transport lifts or wide doorways. I always ask about bathrooms with grab bars — you’ve got

to have that —and if the elder has a service dog, you have to find out if they’re OK with that.” Federal law requires hotels to accept service animals, not to restrict them to rooms

designated for pets and not to charge a cleaning fee for hair or dander shed. If you’re interested in a short-term rental instead of a hotel, know that some sites such as AirBnb and VRBO

allow you to search for accessible properties. LOOK FOR YOUR HOTEL ON A MAP. Be mindful of the hotel’s location, says Boudet, who recommends looking to see where hotels are in proximity to

places you plan to visit. A hotel that’s accessible but inconvenient might create more problems than it solves. BOOK EARLY. Because most properties have only a limited number of accessible

rooms, they may be reserved quickly. Make reservations as early as possible to ensure your loved one gets proper accommodations, Loverde says. MAKE YOUR STAY SAFER. Make a safety sweep to

remove or mitigate potential hazards. Pick up throw rugs and cords from floor lamps that may be trip hazards. Consider packing a night-light because many hotels don’t have good illumination

to the bathroom in the dark.