July 7th is National Father-Daughter Take a Walk Day. Get your dad out of the house and join him for a long walk through a national or state park. Many older Americans struggle with mobility. You’ll know how mobile he is. If he needs a wheelchair or walker, you don’t have to give up your plans. Visit one of those popular handicap accessible parks.
Acadia National Park
If you happen to be in New England, head up into Maine and visit the Acadia National Park. Situated on Maine’s rocky coast, this park has free handicap accessible shuttle buses. Wildwood Stables also have wheelchair accessible carriages. Take your dad on a tour of Acadia National Park with horses doing most of the work. Some of the trails are also wheelchair-friendly.
Congaree National Park
Congaree National Park in South Carolina has a long boardwalk winding through 2.4 miles of the forest. To access it, head to the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. There are benches scattered along the boardwalk where your dad can stop to look at the trees and birds calling the forest home. It’s a good place to see unusual trees like cypress, loblolly pines, and tupelo.
The Grand Canyon
Head to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon for a handicap accessible trail that runs more than a dozen miles. If your dad is into history, the Trail of Time is just under 1.5 miles and includes stops along the way that give an interesting history and geology tidbits.
The South Rim also has buses that have wheelchair lifts and they lower to reduce the height of the step it takes to get onto them. If you need to rent a wheelchair, that’s also possible at the South Rim.
Yellowstone National Park
Wooden boardwalks in Yellowstone National Park make the park accessible to wheelchair and walker users. Some of the areas with these boardwalks are the Fishing Bridge, Mammoth, and Old Faithful. There are others, and most have benches that your dad could sit on if he is mobile but needs to rest periodically.
If you need to rent a wheelchair for your dad when you get there, that’s possible. Visit a medical clinic to rent one. Be aware that they are only available on a first-come, first served basis.
When you’re not with your dad, is he left alone for hours and hours? Why put his safety at risk? Bring a caregiver into his life. Some seniors are stubborn and insist they don’t need help. After a few weeks of having caregivers to help out, they admit it helps them with socialization, housekeeping, and companionship.
That could be your dad. Call an agency today to discuss the best ways to bring caregivers into his home.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Home Care in Daly City, CA, contact the friendly staff at Home Care Professionals today.
Call (866)-940-4855
- The Impact of Home Care on Seniors Aging in Place in Sacramento, California - November 22, 2024
- Recognizing When Seniors Need Post-Hospital Care - November 20, 2024
- Risk Factors and Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer - November 13, 2024
