Century Park Blog

The holiday season is upon us – kids have made their Christmas lists, parents are busy shopping for their Thanksgiving meal ingredients and pets are mentally preparing for the aggressive love and affection they will inevitably get from visiting family members. Here at Century Park, we’re busy too – making sure our residents have all the care and attention they need while making holiday travel plans of our own. 

To help you prepare for the holidays, our teams across the country have compiled a list of holiday travel tips to follow to ensure the safest and most enjoyable trip you can have. These tips are tried and true traveling methods from some of the brightest minds across the country, and we hope they’ll be as useful to you as they’ve been to us and our families. So sit back, put down the Black Friday ads, grab a cup of eggnog and get ready to make your holiday travel a new kind of easy.

• “With winter travel, always make sure you have an emergency kit. Get a plastic container with a snapping lid and fill it with water bottles, snacks, peppermint patties, a throw blanket, a flashlight, extra batteries and a red handkerchief.” ~ P. LeeAnn Fink, executive director at The Bridge at Charleston, South Carolina
• “Do not post your travel plans on social media.” ~ Associates at The Bridge at Ocala, Florida
• “Make sure you tell your bank about your travels plans to avoid any issues with your credit or debit card.” ~ Lori Gomillion, executive director at The Bridge at Ocala, Florida
• “Make sure your tires have proper air pressure!” ~ Clint Pedersen, maintenance director at Remington Heights in Omaha, Nebraska
• Note from the author: Colder outside air means the air pressure in your tires will lower compared to summer months, so even if you kept your tires full during the summer, make sure you check again as the temperatures get colder! You don’t want to find yourself stuck with a flat tire, especially in snowy conditions.
• “Take pictures and capture the moments. Start a new tradition!” ~ Shelly Watson, executive director at Remington Heights in Omaha, Nebraska
• “If you’re traveling with kids, it’s always worth the price of a movie or game during a flight to keep them entertained, if offered. If driving, take quiz books to read to them. Even the older kids enjoy them!” ~ Rose Watson, lifestyles director at Westside Garden Plaza in Indianapolis, Indiana.
• “I always have my running shoes on to make it through the airports, especially during the holidays when there can be delays and more people are traveling.” ~ Rebecca Sturtz, regional director of Operations, Southeast Division
• Note from the author: As comfortable as it may seem, never wear sandals or flip-flops on a flight. Not only does it mean your feet could get cold and make you uncomfortable, you put yourself at risk of injury if something falls on your foot or you have to run from one gate to the next to catch a connecting flight. Not to mention it’s unsanitary, too!
• “Keep a list of current medications and diagnoses in case of an emergency.” ~ Laura Marsh, LPN at Remington Heights in Omaha, Nebraska.
• “Make sure the charger you bring for your electronics is compatible with wherever you may be going" ~ Darlene Casselman, LPN at The Bridge at Orlando, Florida
• “If you have kids, don’t forget a trip to the dollar store before departure! You can get a book, word search, travel puzzle and candy for $5 total!” ~ Nici Heisler, executive director at The Bridge at Colorado Springs, Colorado
• “Make arrangements for your pets if they’re not going on the trip.” ~ Lisa Johnson, lifestyles director at The Bridge at Ooltewah, Tennessee
• “Stop your mail so it doesn’t build up in the mailbox.” ~ Valerie Taylor, business office at The Bridge at Ooltewah, Tennessee
• “If you’re traveling out of the country, double check your passport expiration date well ahead of time” ~ Michael Davis, lifestyle services director at The Bridge at Orlando, Florida
• “Have a trusted friend or relative watch your house. Travel as light as possible and don’t pack things you really won’t use.” ~ Cassie Ball-Malm, lifestyle services director at Remington Heights in Omaha, Nebraska
• “Stay home and drink hot chocolate!” ~ Cortney Hartz, sales director at Remington Heights in Omaha, Nebraska
• Note from the author: Stay-cations can be just as fun as traveling elsewhere for the holidays! It’s cheaper, less stressful and gives you the opportunity to enjoy the season from the comfort of your own home. So if you can, invite family members to join you this year for the holidays instead of traveling to them – they may love the chance to visit somewhere new!
• “Set a timer for your lights to go on and off.” ~ Lori Homillion, executive director at The Bridge at Ocala, Florida
• “Give a family member all the information about your travel plans – where you are flying, the airline, where you’re staying, and when we plan on returning.” ~ Rose Watson, lifestyles director at Westside Garden Plaza in Indianapolis, Indiana
• “Do NOT drive if you’re tired!” ~ Valeria, dining services at The Bridge at Ooltewah, Tennessee
• “Don’t pick up strangers.” ~ Ty Sills, transportation at The Bridge at Ooltewah, Tennessee
• “Check your tires and oil before traveling. Keep water and snacks in your car as well as matches and candles.” ~ Maureen Kube, concierge at Remington Heights in Omaha, Nebraska
• “Consider leaving your elderly loved ones in respite care at a Century Park Community during your trip!” ~ Erika Stewart, executive director at Harbor Place at Port St. Lucie, Florida

The holidays are the perfect time to connect with family, relax and enjoy time well spent with those you love. Stress from holiday travel can really put a damper on the mood, so be sure to follow these travel tips to make the most of the season! We at Century Park and Associates wish you the happiest of holidays!