Tips for trips with older travelers.

With a bit of planning, you can have the time of your life traveling with an older person

My mother and I recently. returned home to Auburn, Washington, from a 3,742-mile trip that ranged from Idaho's Sawtooth Mountains to the canyonlands of Utah--also southern Colorado, northern New Mexico, and Albuquerque. Our almost-two-week drive took us to national parks and relatives, through heat, cloudbursts, thunder, lightning, and wind. We came home a little tired but ecstatic over our much-needed vacation.

So what's remarkable about the excursion? Mom was approaching her ninety-fifth birthday!

Do you know an older person who would love to go on a trip but hesitates because of age? Or do you have reservations about starting out with a friend or relative who is a senior adult? As long as your older traveler is in reasonably good health, forget your worries and go. You'll have the time of your life, and so will your older traveling companion.

Everywhere we went, friendly persons talked with us and universally gasped when they discovered Mom's age. Many times we saw gleams of admiration and thoughtfulness that silently shouted. "H'mmm. If they can do it, just maybe ..." We hope our example will encourage you to consider traveling with that special older person. Keeping in mind some simple points can help ensure success.

Think ahead. When you plan your itinerary, don't be afraid to include places you'd like to see but may be a bit difficult for your companion. For example, when we visited Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado, the 8,500-foot altitude proved a bit much for Mom and she didn't feel like doing a lot of walking. Solution? We parked the folding aluminum chair that we carry (even when shopping at malls at home) in a shady spot with a view of the cliff dwellings across the canyon while I hiked around. I came back to find the usual situation--friendly travelers clustered around Mom chatting. Several responded with the same thing we hear at malls: "What a good idea--to bring your own chair. I'm going to do that with my mother [father]."

Keep a regular schedule. Most senior adults thrive on a set routine of on-time meals and a fairly stable bedtime. Try to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner around the same time every day. If you're going to be in the middle of nowhere during the day, either carry a picnic lunch or easy snacks such as crackers, jelly, fresh fruit, etc.

Every traveler should carry drinking water. In all probability your special passenger will have medication that will need to be taken on schedule.

Avoid the exotic. The one night we tossed and turned followed a tasty but too-filling Mexican meal when we arrived late. If you want food your relative or friend doesn't eat at home, lunch is a better time to be creative.

Eliminate embarrassment factors. Tim's father almost dreaded going on a road trip with his son because once in a while when his father needed to use the bathroom he simply couldn't wait. How would he get along on mountain highways that might or might not have rest areas close enough together? Tim packed a portable potty in the back of his station wagon. His father never needed it--but knowing that it was there just in case put their minds at ease.

Stop to smell the flowers and rest. Every one to one and a half hours, stop the car, preferably at a rest area or service station. Making use of available facilities prevents needless worry. If a pill needs to be taken, encourage your companion to drink a full glass of water with it before using a restroom. If there is no rest area, pull to the side of the road or off the freeway and simply walk around the car and stretch.

Wear loose-fitting clothing, especially in hot weather. A long-sleeved loose-weave shirt or blouse protects arms from the sun. Suggest that your passenger kick off his/her shoes if it's warm. This helps keep feet and legs from swelling. Propping feet up also adds comfort. Also, take a pillow to use as backrest. Car seats can get hard after many hours of driving.

Seek out peace and quiet. Senior adults can enjoy excitement, but they also need rest. Teresa and her older friend invariably check around before getting a motel. Firs they look for off-the-highway units. If one isn't available, Teresa asks motel managers, "Do you have a room for two persons away from the street where it's more quiet?"

We always carry a small electric fan. If nights are too cool to use the airconditioner to drown out outside noise, our little fan does the trick.

Don't be afraid to speak up. Teresa and her friend were awakened at midnight by kids running up and down the sidewalk outside their motel room. Thinking it would end soon and not wanting to be complainers, they waited--and waited-- and waited. So did persons on both sides of them. The next morning the managers told them, "You should have let us know immediately. Probably the parents went to the local fair and left the children unsupervised." You have a right to a good night's sleep. If noise continues after 11:00 at the latest, alert the manager.

Quick tips

1. Pack a couple night-lights. Waking in unfamiliar and ever-changing rooms can lead to groping, stumbling, or even a fall on the way to the bathroom. A little light solves the problem.

2. Double-check necessary medicines, glasses, etc., before leaving. We always take more of each kind of Mom's medicine than she'll need just in case we don't get home when planned.

3. Lighten the load. A good warm sweatshirt (especially the zip-front kind) can replace both sweater and jacket. And umbrella eliminates the need for raincoats. However, don't skimp on appropriate clothing. Older travelers often need more warmth, so keep a blanket in the car.

4. Take a digital clock with large red numerals.

5. Take reading material. Magazines are good for a trip, but also take a daily devotional book or other spiritual reading material.

How well did Mom do on our long, interesting trip?

Right now she's talking about where we're going next year and the next.

Why not take that special senior adult on a trip? A whole world of enjoyment is out there waiting for both of you. Colleen L. Reece, a creative writing instructor, writes from Auburn, Washington.