It was decided long ago that your parents wanted to be somewhere warm when it came time for retirement. They took years, yes years, to find just the right assisted living residential home in sunny South Florida, and have been happy there since the day they moved in.
Although you and the grandkids still live in upstate New York, the only thing they really miss is spending time with the kids.
However, all that snow and cold for many months of the year were not enough to keep them there. Unfortunately, now they are unable to travel alone as they are beginning to forget things and can get lost easily if not attended. There is no way for you to take time off work to fly down to get them, but there is a way for them to fly ‘home’ through JFK International Airport, where you will happily meet them at the gate. Let’s look at how that’s done!
Begin With a Travel Companion
Once your parents’ doctor in Miami clears them for travel, as long as they are assisted by a trained travel companion, you can start preparing for their visit. It might be a bit difficult to do with the kids bouncing around you in anticipation of grandma and grandpa coming to stay for a couple of weeks, but help is there for you, so don’t despair just yet.
Did you know that services from transport teams like angel flights can even take the stress out of booking flights for your parents? Once dates are agreed for the transport service to be available on both legs of the journey, they can even book the flights for you and your parents! These are non-medical emergency services so it’s something they do every day of the week. In other words, your parents (and you!) are safe in their well-qualified hands.
Work Closely With the Care Team at Your Parents’ Residence
Both you and the transport team will need to work closely with the care team at your parents’ assisted living facility. The nursing staff and/or social worker will see to it that all medications are packed, and the schedule is clearly printed. This will need to be one of the first things to do after travel arrangements are booked because there will be little time closer to the flight date to get any prescriptions filled or OTC products like Depends are bought and packed timely.
The Only Real Concern Would Be Medications
Since it could take days to contact their primary care provider in South Florida if just one important medication didn’t get packed, that’s the only thing that needs to be checked and rechecked at least a few days before departure date. Anything else like pajamas or beach wear can be bought on your end. The travel companion will ensure they take any medications necessary during travel times and they will hand your parents off to you with a thorough report you can expect.
There is one last thing to do on your end and that would be to enjoy this time with grandma and grandpa. Maybe next year you can fly to them, but this year just enjoy the comfort of sitting together around the fireplace and the warm embrace that only parents can give.
