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I have been the primary caregiver for my grandmother for many years now. She moved in with us 3 years ago. My children want to go on a vacation this year. After discussing it with her she voiced she wants to go. She is a very healthy 98 y/o. No cognitive issues. She does have arthritis which limits her mobility. She uses a walker at home. She needs limited assistance with bathing. We will have a paid caregiver to assist on the trip and I'm also a nurse. My concern is the drive. It will be about a 10 hour drive to the Smokies. I don't want her to be uncomfortable.

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Plan on pit stops every two hours.
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If she has no cognitive issues and is a earthy 98, I say go for it but be ready for frequent potty and leg stretch stops. You are very kind to be willing to share your vacay with her, I would probably want time away
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Consider renting her a scooter so she can keep up and have more fun!
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I suspect if you can pull it off, you will make some wonderful memories.
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What a wonderful idea bringing a paid caregiver on the trip to help with your Grandmother. That way, when Mom is tired but the rest of the family want to sight-see, the caregiver can stay in the hotel with Mom :)
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That's a very thoughtful suggestion, not only to take GM but to bring the caregiver.

Another reason for frequent stops is to exercise everyone's legs, and help to avoid too much of an edema problem from hours of sitting.

You might want to find special places to visit that are a few hours apart - it's a good opportunity not only to get out and stretch everyone's legs but also to do some sightseeing so that the drive to and from isn't just a lot of blurred scenery, but leaves everyone with special memories of the trip.
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You sound so very generous with your time and self. Make sure to get a friendly hotel with walk in shower, connecting rooms, extra pillows for legs, neck pillow for car....and any information that will tell you about wheelchair friendly sights. Might get you through some things a bit faster too. Have a great time and drive safe.
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How about a short airplane trip and rent a car?
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better stay off of the tourist helicopters . one of em crashed last week and killed 5 people .
i wish i were kidding but im not ..
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Sounds like a great idea. Some things 2 consider...agree with other posters stop to walk around a bit every 2hrs. It will aslo help avoid blood clots in the leg. Realize that may tack on another 4hrs 2 your trip especially if she gets in alot of pain. May want to split the trp up and stay overnigt in a motel. Resesrcing venues for handicap accessibility, get accessible room with wslkin shower and shower seat. Several companies are very easy to rent scooters so she can zip around ejoying herself. The scooters pack down nicely in the car. Is she incontinent? If yes plan to bring waterproof mattress cover and chuks pads..a bag to cart wet clothing back home. The cheap lightweight bags for runners work nicely on outing to store wipes diapers change of pants or s8cks while on an outing. Planning ahead is the key and hav7ng opportunities where she can go back to hotel and rest or a selection of restful actvits like the spa, sitting around campfire, telling stories.
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It amazes me, in a good way, that she actually WANTS to go!
Mom, 90.5 yrs old loved to travel.......... not now! No desire whatsoever.
Took her to Yosemite National Park and all she would say is: are we going home soon?
Are we ready to go back to the B & B?
That was 2 yrs ago.
Now, she has no desire to travel anywhere.............
Take her, make great memories, play her favorite music, take pictures of all, enjoy the benefits of being able to get away, and no regrets and "we should haves".
M88
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A ten hour drive is a long one for almost anyone. Adding stops every hour or two makes it even longer.

It sounds like, you are looking at being in the car from like 8 am until 8 pm or later since you have to stop for two meals. Therefore, you may want to consider making it a two day drive down and a two day drive back.
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I wondered what she would do in the Smokies, because she can't hike. If you wanted to go hiking, would you be able to leave her somewhere? If you're in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, how would she get about? She would get mighty tired on a walker.

Sometimes our elders can say they want to do something, but they really don't. They like the idea of doing it, but aren't thinking of the technicalities. If you feel she really wants to do this and you are willing to be happy with your activities being curtailed, then it is doable. Hope you have fun.
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Just take frequent breaks, and give her time to stretch her legs. Remember you'll be going to higher elevation, so either give her a baby aspirin and expect she may get dizzy with a headache. Other than that take her and exercise is the best medicine for arthritis. Have a fun trip!
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I take my children and grandchildren to the beach for a week every summer. I used to go everywhere with them. Now I go a few places, but I am happy having them near me part of the time. I sit and read, look at the ocean, etc. I do take my walker and use it when we go shopping. Just having them near me at night and for meals is enough for me. I think it is wonderful that you are willing to include her.
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We have taken my 91 year old mother in law (who lives with us) to Myrtle Beach, Williamsburg and the Jersey Shore (live in PA). Mom has stomach issues, some memory loss and a few mobility issues. Overall it has worked out well. We always use a wheelchair for longer sightseeing spots. We take along her bathtub seat and walker and floor magnifying light. We make sure we have food supplies that will meet her diet needs. On the longer trips we make frequents stops - every 1 1/2 - 2 hours and we only travel 6-7 hours before stopping for the night. I think she has enjoyed the trips. We always have separate sleeping and bathroom quarters so she can retreat for a nap or quiet time. It has been enjoyable for us to share these experiences for us, too. I would encourage anyone to try it with the caveat to be prepared for the unexpected. On one trip we were staying on the 12th floor and the fire alarm went off. It was interesting getting an elderly person down 12 flights of stairs. Be flexible and be prepared for the unexpected!
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My main concern would be the amount of time driving/riding in a day. I am 72, with a bad back. I cannot drive more than 2 hours without a break to get out and walk around, and I have to take pain meds to go that far, plus sit on a special cushion. It's easier when I am not the one doing the driving...as I can shift around positions in the passenger seat too. Is she on meds? I think with you being a nurse (I am a retired RN) and also having the caregiver make the trip with you, it should work with good planning, as long as you aren't thinking of driving the whole 10 hours in one day!! As others said....if she's tired, she could stay behind with caregiver at times, while you go with the kids. Or you could look into a wheelchair or scooter rental....and, of course, ask for handicap assistance where ever it is available, while sightseeing. I could not do this with my 90 yr old Mom, as she not only walks with a walker, but due to COPD and A fib, she's on 24/7 O2 and 4 breathing treatments a day, along with her Alzheimer's. She loves to drive, but it kills me, getting the walker and oxygen tanks in and out of the car, and trying to remember all timeframes for the meds, while I coordinate all else, just for a day trip out, or to bring her from A. L. to our home for dinner. She cannot assume responsibility for even knowing to bring a jacket and put on her shoes....let alone tracking meds, nebs treatments and watching if her tanks are getting empty....AND she requires constant catering as far as getting her a kleenex, or bringing her a drink....she's hot or she's cold.....and I don't even have 'other' small children to be responsible for! She makes me wacky and non functioning when I am with her too much! I try for short trips, out of love and an appreciation that it's important to have a change of scenery etc.....but SHE talks about wanting to drive from AZ to WA state, where my daughter and family live....and THAT's a 3 day driving trip, if you are making about 600 miles a day!! No way could I do all the driving and then track all that other stuff about her care, and worry about where we would stay and where we would eat that would be 'good enough' for her likes.....UH UH, I said.....we can take a trip, but it will be a 3 hour non stop plane flight for me!! And I would probably still want our other daughter to go along for moral support and breaks!!
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