Senior Travel Helper
Aug 30th, 2015, 06:09 AM
#1
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Senior Travel Helper
I'm 62. For the past 10 years, I had the privilege of traveling with my mother. Since she passed last year, I have missed that joy. I would like to be a helper/companion to a senior traveling either in the US or cruising but I can't find any place that matches up seniors with travel help/companions. There must be people who want to drive across the country to visit a family member who need a driver or someone who wants to cruise but needs someone to assist with a wheelchair. Any suggestions?
Aug 30th, 2015, 07:23 AM
#2
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Does your library take Town and Country magazine? In the back there are ads and agencies for people who want to hire staff, both regular house staff and people who do what you want to do. Check there. Similar ads in the UK appear in Country Life.
Once you have learned what these jobs are called, you can search for them online, and you can look at online newspapers from wealthy communities like Palm Beach, Nantucket, Santa Barbara, et al. You can advertise yourself if there is a town like this near you, and you might post a little ad in an alumni magazine for a college with a lot of wealthy alums.
Many of these kinds of jobs are passed by word of mouth. My son was offered jobs crewing on yachts that were being taken south for the winter, and we know someone who drove cars for people going south for the winter. They flew while Michael drove their car filled with their luggage.
That isn't what you want to do, but my point is that there is a thriving market for personal services for elderly people. Finding the first job will be hardest.
Once you have learned what these jobs are called, you can search for them online, and you can look at online newspapers from wealthy communities like Palm Beach, Nantucket, Santa Barbara, et al. You can advertise yourself if there is a town like this near you, and you might post a little ad in an alumni magazine for a college with a lot of wealthy alums.
Many of these kinds of jobs are passed by word of mouth. My son was offered jobs crewing on yachts that were being taken south for the winter, and we know someone who drove cars for people going south for the winter. They flew while Michael drove their car filled with their luggage.
That isn't what you want to do, but my point is that there is a thriving market for personal services for elderly people. Finding the first job will be hardest.
Aug 30th, 2015, 10:14 AM
#3
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Thank you, Acklander! I really didn't know if I'd get any responses, and I certainly didn't expect one within minutes!
You have some great suggestions! I would never have thought of looking in online newspapers but it makes sense.
Also,I will find a current Town and Country. While I'd prefer to travel as a helper, I would certainly be open to other options.
I traveled to the DFW area to pet/house sit and loved it. I like the idea of relocating cars. I did something similar for a local car dealership where I took cars to other dealerships within about 150 miles.) References would be easy to provide.
My husband will retire in about 3 years but I don't want to wait that long to GO SOMEWHERE!
You have some great suggestions! I would never have thought of looking in online newspapers but it makes sense.
Also,I will find a current Town and Country. While I'd prefer to travel as a helper, I would certainly be open to other options. I traveled to the DFW area to pet/house sit and loved it. I like the idea of relocating cars. I did something similar for a local car dealership where I took cars to other dealerships within about 150 miles.) References would be easy to provide.
My husband will retire in about 3 years but I don't want to wait that long to GO SOMEWHERE!
Aug 30th, 2015, 12:57 PM
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I don't mind!
Here is another idea.
Are there any upscale senior communities near you, the kind where you move in to your own apartment when you retire and leave in a box?
There are plenty of people in their 60's, 70's, and 80's who would like to travel but have enough physical issues to worry about it. There are widows who would like to travel but don't want to go alone.
Send a letter to these communities, either to the executive director or the activities director. Mention the references Ask to go in for an interview about how to reach their residents.
Good luck!
Here is another idea.
Are there any upscale senior communities near you, the kind where you move in to your own apartment when you retire and leave in a box?
There are plenty of people in their 60's, 70's, and 80's who would like to travel but have enough physical issues to worry about it. There are widows who would like to travel but don't want to go alone.
Send a letter to these communities, either to the executive director or the activities director. Mention the references Ask to go in for an interview about how to reach their residents.
Good luck!
Aug 30th, 2015, 01:20 PM
#6
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Forgive me if I am wrong but I feel what you want is to travel for free. Would you be paying your own way for hotel? sharing gas? paying for your own food? Another thing, I would never have a stranger travel with me unless they were recommended by a family member or friend who knew them. In today's world safety is a big concern. There was just an article in our paper where a minister would take an elderly person grocery shopping and include items for himself in her groceries! He eventually talked her into buying a car for him. I would not trust anyone not personally known to me to travel or assist in any way.
Aug 30th, 2015, 05:09 PM
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The provider will have references and could be bonded, but your opinion is probably common. This service wouldn't be for everyone, though we all get in taxis and have electricians come into our houses.
As for free/not free/free and paid, that depends on what service is provided.
If the OP drove someone from Dallas to Pasadena in their own car, I would expect that she would be paid a modest daily stipend and the cost of her room and meals would be covered. If they stopped to look at Taliesin West, the OP would pay her own admission, unless the customer needed physical assistance to get around, in which case the customer would pay.
If the OP and the passenger were friends, a friend probably wouldn't pay a stipend but would likely pay for room and meals in exchange for driving. If they are good friends, they might even share a room. It all depends.
As for free/not free/free and paid, that depends on what service is provided.
If the OP drove someone from Dallas to Pasadena in their own car, I would expect that she would be paid a modest daily stipend and the cost of her room and meals would be covered. If they stopped to look at Taliesin West, the OP would pay her own admission, unless the customer needed physical assistance to get around, in which case the customer would pay.
If the OP and the passenger were friends, a friend probably wouldn't pay a stipend but would likely pay for room and meals in exchange for driving. If they are good friends, they might even share a room. It all depends.
Aug 30th, 2015, 05:37 PM
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You are forgiven.
People have been travelling with paid companions for ever. Try it for a high maintenance rich elderly person and come back about the concept of travelling for free. A travel companion is a much demanded service in certain circles. We once took a cruise and our dinner companions were an elderly widowed mom, her companion/aide and her daughters. Sure her daughters could have tended to her needs, but she wanted them to remain independent. The companion was prudish and the old lady was a hot ticket and sent us a crate of oranges.
People have been travelling with paid companions for ever. Try it for a high maintenance rich elderly person and come back about the concept of travelling for free. A travel companion is a much demanded service in certain circles. We once took a cruise and our dinner companions were an elderly widowed mom, her companion/aide and her daughters. Sure her daughters could have tended to her needs, but she wanted them to remain independent. The companion was prudish and the old lady was a hot ticket and sent us a crate of oranges.
Aug 30th, 2015, 05:42 PM
#9
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CD, I can see your point of view. However, I would expect to pay for at least part, if not all, of my expenses. I just miss sharing the trip and the feeling of being "useful" as I did when traveling with my mother, and I don't really care WHERE we go. My mother generally chose the destination. I've done a great deal of traveling and have never found any place that I was sorry I visited, and only a couple of places that I would not revisit.
As I stated earlier, I can easily provide references. I would certainly like to travel with someone I already know but the opportunity hasn't yet presented itself. I do not live in a large city. I am an hour from Austin and more than 2 hours to DFW. Drivable, but not close enough that I have a lot of connections.
Ackislander, your additional comments are appreciated and on target. Thanks.
As I stated earlier, I can easily provide references. I would certainly like to travel with someone I already know but the opportunity hasn't yet presented itself. I do not live in a large city. I am an hour from Austin and more than 2 hours to DFW. Drivable, but not close enough that I have a lot of connections.
Ackislander, your additional comments are appreciated and on target. Thanks.
Aug 30th, 2015, 05:51 PM
#10
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Inakauaidavidababy, I've found every type of person on every cruise I've ever been on. I travelled with a different state of mind when I travelled with my mother than when I travel with my husband. With Mom, her comfort was my first, second, and third priority. It was fun to see her "attended to". I enjoyed the trip, but I enjoyed her more! I am so thankful we had all that time together!
Aug 30th, 2015, 06:07 PM
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You sound like you have perfect perspective. My Mom thought about the same thing but landed doing home healthcare aid. Never had a client to travel with.
My mom likes to go on organized Christian pilgrimages. For now she is good to go, but there may be a time when I would happily pay someone to join her to tend to any special needs, even just luggage and air and getting from point a to b can be a challenge. You couldn't pay me to go on a bus group tour thru Europe on a pilgrimage. And I love my Mom!
Good luck, it sounds like a good thing for you to pursue.
My mom likes to go on organized Christian pilgrimages. For now she is good to go, but there may be a time when I would happily pay someone to join her to tend to any special needs, even just luggage and air and getting from point a to b can be a challenge. You couldn't pay me to go on a bus group tour thru Europe on a pilgrimage. And I love my Mom!
Good luck, it sounds like a good thing for you to pursue.
Aug 30th, 2015, 06:19 PM
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Recently, on another thread, someone was asking about how to help their senior relatives travel when family could not go with them, so there must be a demand for the help you could provide.
Certainly, in times past, "travel companions" were common. I think they were sometimes poor relatives.
You might look at cruise possibilities because people who would have to pay single supplements might prefer sharing.
Local Travel Agencies?
Senior services magazines?
Senior citizens centers
AARP services
Retirement homes, centers.
If you are not set on working with seniors, what about being a travel nanny? Maybe too much trouble and responsibility. I would not be up to it, just an idea.
Best of luck.
Certainly, in times past, "travel companions" were common. I think they were sometimes poor relatives.
You might look at cruise possibilities because people who would have to pay single supplements might prefer sharing.
Local Travel Agencies?
Senior services magazines?
Senior citizens centers
AARP services
Retirement homes, centers.
If you are not set on working with seniors, what about being a travel nanny? Maybe too much trouble and responsibility. I would not be up to it, just an idea.
Best of luck.
Aug 31st, 2015, 02:42 AM
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Before I signed up as a travel nanny, and Nantucket is full of them in the summer, I would want to read "The Nanny Diaries". Like working in a summer camp, it can be a form of legalized slavery.
Thanks for the further information and experience, Inakaui and Sassafras. It is a done thing!
Thanks for the further information and experience, Inakaui and Sassafras. It is a done thing!
Aug 31st, 2015, 06:20 AM
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Sassafrass – Do you recall the heading of that other thread where someone was looking for assistance with a senior relative? I’ll try to find it.
Thank you for the other suggestions, too. I read CruiseCritic threads and articles often. You are right. that would be a good place to post.
I spoke to my travel agent about 6 months ago about being a travel companion or a “2nd” for a solo traveler. I even offered to drive people to Austin (an hour away) or DFW (2-1/2 hours away) to the airport. I can always find something to do in either place, once I get there. (I frequent them both often.)
As a retired teacher (7th grade...loved it, miss it), I considered being a nanny but I do better with “older” kids. I wouldn’t rule it out completely, though!
Ackislander – I’ll put “The Nanny Diaries” on my reading list!
Thank you for the other suggestions, too. I read CruiseCritic threads and articles often. You are right. that would be a good place to post.
I spoke to my travel agent about 6 months ago about being a travel companion or a “2nd” for a solo traveler. I even offered to drive people to Austin (an hour away) or DFW (2-1/2 hours away) to the airport. I can always find something to do in either place, once I get there. (I frequent them both often.)
As a retired teacher (7th grade...loved it, miss it), I considered being a nanny but I do better with “older” kids. I wouldn’t rule it out completely, though!
Ackislander – I’ll put “The Nanny Diaries” on my reading list!
Jan 12th, 2016, 05:47 PM
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Hi.. I'm 64....seeking someone to go cross country..am active,laid back...love nature,and seeking someone who shares my interests...national Parks in the west....specifically the Arizona ...Utah area...although I'm from New York..seeking a west coast road trip....seeking platonic...companion...with similar interests....
Jan 12th, 2016, 06:53 PM
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Lots of churches have senior groups where you might find someone. You might even form a singles travel club. If there is a college near you that offers interesting courses, take some and you might meet others of similar interest.
