10 Necessities to Pack for the ER
What one item would you grab on the way to the hospital? Whether you get the phone call that a family member is headed to the hospital emergency room (ER) or awaken to discover an urgent situation, it can be overwhelming to think about all the immediate tasks, including what to pack for the ER. Clearly, the patient is the number one priority over grabbing a phone charger, but if you have time to pack a bag, here’s a list of 10 necessities to pack for the ER and a few niceties too. Necessities to Grab on the Way to the ER – If You Have Time Phone charger Hearing aid charger or extra batteries Phone Hearing aids, eyeglasses ID and insurance cards List of medications and allergies Emergency contact numbers Book or tablet Comfort items for kids or adults Puzzle books or coloring books If Overnight, Add: Extra underwear or change of clothes Bathroom bag with toothbrush, hairbrush, chapstick, etc. Bathrobe and slippers If possible, leave jewelry and valuables at home or with family POV: Your quiet morning has taken an unexpected turn. As a caregiver, you grab some clothes from your closet and wonder whether you will be…
Product Review: Neso Tents
What type of beach shade do you use? After years of dragging the big heavy beach canopy bag down to the shore and hoping we could get it set up and down by ourselves if my husband wasn’t on the trip, I found a new easier beach shade, a Neso Tent, that weighs considerably less! Neso beach tents are a breeze to use and store. These lycra/nylon tents provide water resistant sunshade with different configurations depending on where you put the poles. There is a slight learning curve to setting them up on a windy day but tutorial videos helped. This Neso beach tent was great for our multigenerational beach trip so the great grandmas, the tired surfers, and the baby could have shade. We did have our tent blow down once but the winds were over 20 mph and changing directions. I was quite impressed with how well it did on other windy days and much less worried than usual about the umbrella flying down the beach or the whole canopy tent overturning and hurting someone. This beach tent can also be used in the backyard or sidelines. Instead of filling the bags with sand, you can use…
Top 5 things for booking a multigenerational vacation home
What is your top thing to consider when booking a beach rental? Booking a beach rental for one family is complicated enough, but add several families or generations, and things get even trickier. Knowing the top 5 things to consider when booking a multigenerational vacation home will help you narrow your options within your price range fairly quickly. We are heading to the beach this summer with our grown kids, a baby, a great-grandmother, and a great aunt. These tips helped me narrow the search pretty fast, and the added amenities such as linens and beach bikes sealed the deal. 1. How close do you want to be to the beach? Toddlers require naps and frequent bathroom breaks, as do some grandparents. Choosing a beachfront home can make those trips quicker or allow people at the house to watch the beach fun. Those with older kids or just adults can usually save money by choosing second-row houses. 2. Next, consider the mobility of guests. Do you need a house without steps or something with an elevator? Check out the house layout of mobility is a concern. 3. The number of bedrooms and bathrooms can make a big difference when hosting a successful…
Product Review: Qwirkle
What game can you play as a multigenerational family? There are so many games on the market that it is hard to know which ones to add to your family collection. One fun game we were introduced to a few years ago was Qwirkle. My aunt was surprised we did not own it, so she purchased it for our family vacation. It was a hit, and we have since purchased it for others. What makes Qwirkle a hit? It is easy to learn how to play, even with nonreaders or those who do not enjoy complicated games. As many as 4 people can play but you could do teams for larger families or younger kids. The game consists of 108 square tiles with 6 different colors and shapes on them. To play the game you create rows of like colors or like shapes. Points are scored for the number of tiles you play with additional bonus points being given for a “qwirkle” which is when you complete a row of 6 with no duplicates. This game is part chance and part skill! The game can take from 30-45 minutes depending on how contemplative the players are. I am not a…
Multigenerational Travel
Planning a multigenerational family reunion this summer? Multigenerational travel is not as difficult as it sounds if you remember a few tips beyond just agreeing on the budget and location. The rewards of multigenerational travel far outweigh the planning. We are just returning from a week at the beach with multigenerational family and friends. Most of us love the beach. The rest enjoy getting away, being with family, and swimming at the pool. This beach house had something for everyone, plus lots of bedrooms and bathrooms and two main gathering spaces. My best friend and I brought our families plus our moms. Choose a location that has lots of bedrooms so everyone will have a quiet place of their own. Sometimes bunking a single grandparent and a child in a room with twin beds is quite a good arrangement. You know what works for your family. Asking the grandparent first is a good idea. Consider stairs and elevators when you are taking older generations or those with wheelchairs and baby strollers. Many things are doable for a night or two, but longer stays need more thought for mobility issues. Most rental houses now have detailed floorplans available so you can…
Multigenerational Living
What family member might need to come live with you? In the US, multigenerational living is on the rise. In some countries, it is much more common. Multigenerational living is influenced by personal, cultural, social, and economic conditions. Every place I’ve lived in has had a guest room, but with our last home purchase we intentionally looked for a first floor bedroom and bath assuming at least one of our parents would eventually come live with us. It is a blessing, not a burden. It’s a way to honor our parents. Sure there are sacrifices that get made and independence that looks different, but that’s the norm with every stage of life when there are people in your care. The blessings include my kids getting more time with grandma, and my mom getting to watch them go from teens to adults. Furthermore, having my mom live with us means being able to take care of things for her in the moment, not on a weekly “to do” list. It means less travel time and worrying about her when we aren’t there. It also means not having to do yard work and repairs for two houses! Once we all decided the…