Day trips within the UK are a fantastic alternative to a long holiday abroad. There’ll be no visits to airports, worrying about insurance, transferring money into different currencies or learning key phrases in a different language! For the elderly, a holiday abroad may not be an option due a number of reasons, it could be mobility issues making it difficult to travel or financial worries getting in the way – whatever the reason, taking a day trip with loved ones could be the answer.
The best thing about a day trip is that it can be enjoyed the whole family, which makes it the perfect event to bring everyone together! If you’re struggling with ideas on what might be suitable for all ages – including your elderly parents – then we’ve got some suggestions you just might like!
Museums
Museums are the perfect low-cost option for a day trip as many are free to enter. They’re also great for you as they’re mentally and physically stimulating for both older and younger people, and your elderly parents may even have ties to the time in history within some of the museums! Remember to keep and eye on museums and look at any special exhibitions they may be having, one might just be about something your loved one is passionate about!
Though museums are great fun for all the family, there are some things to remember when taking your elderly parents:
- Is the museum easy to get around? You’re elderly parents may enjoy the museum experience but there’s a lot of walking involved. Make sure you factor in time for short breaks and see if there is a museum cafe where you can stop and have some lunch or a snack.
- Are there lots of stairs? It’s a good idea to check if there’s different floors to the museum, a lot of elderly people find flights of stairs more difficult so get to know where the lifts are.
- Are the toilets easily accessible? This is an important factor for people of all ages, but especially important for older people who may be taking medication or have medical conditions which means they need quick access to the bathroom.
- Is there a guided tour? Although most museums have descriptions near the exhibits, many can be small and hard to read. Find out if the museum you’re visiting has a tour or self-guided tour which you and your elderly parents could do.
National Trust
The National Trust was founded in the 1800s and has become one of the UK’s largest charities, looking after historic properties, stately homes, gardens and countryside across the country. The National Trust has more than 200 beautiful gardens to explore up and down Britain including flower gardens and landscape parks, and they’re the perfect place for you and your elderly parents to have a relaxing day out.
The historic stately homes are a nice excursion for the older generation and the gardens and surroundings appeal to the younger generation – giving the children room to play! The National Trust website has a helpful feature where you can search by location and view all of the National Trust property and land local to that area, they also offer a discounted membership to seniors!
Day At The Beach
A day at the seaside is always a relaxing experience for people of all ages. The sound of the lapping waves, freshly made doughnuts on the pier, what’s not to like? Your elderly loved one may have fond memories of the beach from their childhood, so you could visit the very same beach for some nostalgia and take the grandchildren along to make new memories.
If you’re visiting a beach it’s best to stick to one with a good set of amenities such as a pier, cafes, toilets and some shops to wander in.
Visit Family & Friends
This is a simple and affordable day trip for you to enjoy with your elderly parents, but does depend on having family members or friends in different parts of the country that you can visit. If you’re lucky enough to have family and friends spread across the UK, why not take a day trip to visit them? The chances are that your elderly loved ones may not have seen some family or friends in a while and would be delighted for you to visit them. It also gives the opportunity to explore the surroundings and make a day trip out of the visit!
If your visit involves making a long journey, be sure to plan your travel carefully looking into the different options available. Travel by car may be most convenient but might not be the most comfortable if your elderly parents suffer with any medical conditions. Consider trying a coach or train, some coach companies offer large discounts to the elderly and include regular stops and a toilet on board.
Afternoon Tea
Going for afternoon tea is a lovely was to spend some quality time with your parents, whilst enjoying some amazing food. This activity usually lasts a couple of hours so may be the perfect short day trip if your relatives get tired quite easily. More and more establishments are now offering afternoon tea and it is becoming an increasingly popular activity for people of all ages.
There are places all across the UK which offer afternoon tea, with most also allowing you to buy an afternoon tea gift card which makes a great Birthday or Christmas gift as it can be redeemed pretty much whenever the recipient would like. Our personal favourite – if you live or are visiting the North of England – is Betty’s Café Tea Rooms.
Something Different
Your elderly parents may be more adventurous types, so why not try something different that they may not expect. Depending on their fitness levels, mobility and sense of adventure, you could try one or all of the following:
- Theme park – This is an option not for the faint-hearted, but if your elderly parents enjoy a thrill then somewhere like Alton Towers could be right up their street. Alton Towers also includes some beautiful gardens if a break from the thrills is needed!
- Wine tasting or trip to a distillery – If your loved one is partial to a tipple why not take them on a wine tasting or trip to a distillery. Be sure to drink in moderation, and check any medication is okay to be taken with alcohol.
- Day at the races – Take a trip to your local race course to enjoy some races, perhaps make an event out of it and dress up in your best clothes. Newmarket race course regularly hold events and concerts after racing to make sure you investigate what’s on!
- Trip to London – London has so much to offer from museums to west end shows so there’s bound to be something to suit all ages. Perhaps visit a museum, go for afternoon tea or visit Madame Tussauds.
Take Care On Your Day Trips
Whatever you decide to do on your day trips, it’s important to stay safe and plan your journey ahead. Safety is extremely important in later life, so if a day trip is going to involve a lot of activity it may be a good idea to consult with your elderly parents GP.
When you’re elderly loved ones aren’t out and about they can stay at home with their Careline Alarm, which offers them 24/7 support from our Care Team. If you would like more information or have any questions then don’t hesitate to get in touch with our helpful Customer Service team on 0800 101 333 or via email to info@careline.co.uk. Alternatively, you can order a Careline personal alarm via our website and it will be delivered on the next working day.
