tiredintally Asked February 2016

Tips for successful day trip to the beach?

I'm thinking of taking a day trip with Mom to the beach this spring. A beach wheelchair rental, some snacks, and a couple hours on the sand under a Sportbrella XL if she takes to it. A nice lunch out if she has a change of mind-I never know with her. She will ask for things then never use them. A couple of months ago she said she would never cruise, then a couple days ago she said she'd like to take one for a year. This would our first fun outing not involving a doctor appointment or other obligation. Part of my motivation is the fact that I love the beach, miss going, and wouldn't be confident using in home health care for that entire day.

The other part is that I think it would be something new and fun for us to do, and a memorable experience if she's comfortable and enjoys herself. Right now Mom gets around with a walker and uses diapers, although she can make it to the portable commode in her room sometimes. She makes it a point to use the restroom if we're out and about.

Any tips or suggestions? Because of my work hours and the fact that it's just Mom, and a dog, it would be just a 2 person trip. I figure some bottles, good snacks, some jazz, lots of leg room, and a couple of restroom breaks to break up the drive would help.

Driving

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You've gotten some wonderful advice from the community. Sun protection and plenty of water come to mind for me here but they've been mentioned. I've put a link to an article (below) about other summer ideas that may be easier that you can add to the "making memories" list. Good luck at the beach! Carol
https://www.agingcare.com/articles/ideas-for-spring-outings-with-seniors-168671.htm

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Jessiebelle - hmmm, ask for better? The beach town hubby and I like to visit has a very nice casino. After a day of doing beachy things we go out for a nice dinner, then hit the casino until the wee hours of morning. It's easy to forget our troubles for several hours.

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Jessiebelle: I'll check into hotel rates too. I'm planning on doing it mid week to avoid crowds, and April often has really warm days without the expense of high season hotel rates. Booking a hotel would let me get more downtime, too. Food for thought! Thanks.

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My mom and Aunt like to sit on the Boardwalk and watch.. the sea, other people , you name it! Neither of them will put in a swim suit.. so this is great for them. We took them to OC Maryland last summer, and they dang near blew away.. but still loved it! We got pizza from a place they used to love, and drove along the shore. Maybe if you just readust your plans it could be great, Lots of boardwalks have bathrooms too. Enjoy!

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actually it sounds to me like you are a wonderful daughter! My mother would love such an adventure, but I think the best I can muster is a view from the car and lunch with a view. Your mom is so very lucky. I hope you get to make this happen. No matter how it goes it will be a memory!

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For us it was easier to rent a cottage on the beach for a week and a take Mom and the dogs. We do this in the off-season when the rent is reasonable (May and October) . My mother, now 96 and in assisted living, doesn't go with us any more, but it's easier to manage everything like bathroom and meals when you have a home base. Her vision was almost gone and she was well into dementia and incontinent, but she loved sitting on the deck watching (limitedly) and listening to the waves and just being around family. We even went out for lunch. If several family members can go, everyone takes turns caring, cooking, and walking on the beach (though I did all bathroom duties and cleanups). Nice vacation for all. Take pictures,

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I strongly encourage you to take another person to help. Between moving all of the stuff and moving her, your hands will be over-full and you will be exhausted.

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Oops. Bottles of water, to be clear. Mom still drinks out of cups and I wouldn't be drinking and driving :)

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My husband and I love going to the beach. Here it's about a two hour drive and for the past five years, with mom's health and our disabled son, two nights at the coast is as close to a vacation as we get. We have tried taking our son with us and it works out okay with the exception of actually walking on the beach. Our son has minor cerebral palsy along with severe autism. Rainman hates feeling unsteady on his feet, who doesn't, right? The first time we took Rainman on the sand it was a disaster. The second time, thinking we had figured out how to do it better, Rainman had a meltdown before we even got to the sand, off the paved path. And Rainman never has meltdowns! This may not be all your hoping for but seems worth a try - just stay off the sand.

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Patience... Go for it.. Just remind yourself that it may not go as planned..

I would make sure I went to a beach that I could park right up at the shore just in case she doesn't want to get out, so that way you both can still enjoy the ocean view..

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Tips for successful day trip to the beach?

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