Having a working mobile phone is a must when leaving home with your loved one, but some additional supplies can make spending time outdoors safer and more comfortable. Here’s a list of six items that can help you prepare for a variety of situations when taking your loved one out for a picnic.
1. First Aid Supplies
While you usually don’t need a full first aid kit for a short outing, make sure to have some basic supplies on hand. Pack a small first aid kit that contains hand sanitizer, bandages, and antibacterial ointment to treat injuries immediately, and clean the injury promptly after arriving home. You should also consider carrying a fully stocked first aid kit in your vehicle at all times to be prepared for emergencies.
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2. Medications
Take at least a day’s worth of your loved one’s medications with you when you leave home. A medicine organizer with compartments is ideal for outings. These organizers are far less bulky than prescription bottles and allow you to take up to seven days of your loved one’s medications with you everywhere you go. If your loved one has allergies, don’t forget to take antihistamines or prescription allergy medications along on all outings.
3. Bottled Water
Make sure to carry some extra water with you when going on a picnic. Before leaving home, fill reusable water bottles for each person attending the picnic, and pack extra bottled water to prepare for emergencies like flat tires or traffic delays.
4. Meals & Extra Snacks
Healthy lighter foods are ideal for picnics. Fruits, salads, and grilled tofu or grilled chicken breasts are some meals you can add to your picnic basket. Extra snacks are also useful, especially if your loved one has a reduced appetite at mealtimes. Choose high-protein snacks like almonds to bring along to the picnic, and pack granola bars and other nonperishable items in the vehicle to prepare for delays and emergencies.
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5. Extra Clothing
Extra clothing is a good addition to your vehicle emergency kit and can also keep your loved one comfortable when spending time outdoors. Choose light colors, and opt for lightweight material to prevent overheating in warm weather. Long sleeves are a must when you want to prevent insect bites, but choose ultra-lightweight materials like thin linen to keep your loved one cool.
6. Insect Repellent
A DEET-based insect repellent can prevent most insect bites without the need to wear long sleeves. Natural insect repellents that contain lemon eucalyptus oil are just as effective as other insect repellents, but they don’t contain the potentially dangerous ingredients found in most DEET-based products. Order these natural products online to prepare for insect-free picnics and outings with your loved one.
Caring for senior loved ones can be rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming for family caregivers who have other responsibilities they need to focus on. For these families, the perfect solution is senior home care. Phoenix families rely on our caregivers whenever they need time to rest, work, run errands, and even go on vacation. Trust your loved one’s care to the professionals at Assisting Hands Home Care. To create a customized home care plan for your loved one, call us today.
