Traveling with a loved one who has medical challenges can feel overwhelming, but with the right support, it becomes an opportunity to create meaningful experiences. Kathryn Speer Shoaf is an expert in accessible travel, specializing in senior and dementia-friendly trips. As the founder of Elite Cruises and Vacations, she has dedicated her career to ensuring that individuals with mobility limitations, dementia, diabetes, and other conditions can still enjoy travel alongside their caregivers.
We spoke with Kathryn to learn how she makes travel accessible, supports caregivers, and ensures a seamless experience for everyone on board.
As an adaptive technology professional, I ensure every client has a cruise cabin that accommodates their mobility challenges. We collaborate with a DME company to rent mobility equipment as needed for hotel stays or cruises.
This equipment includes power wheelchairs, scooters, manual wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility aids. Additionally, we provide essential support items such as hospital beds, wedges, bedside rails, oxygen concentrators, and portable room accommodations.
As a registered nurse, I am committed to ensuring the proper mobility and safety equipment is available, offering peace of mind for travelers and their families.
We create dedicated respite opportunities for caregivers every day of the cruise. Our Adult Daycare program, led by a certified activity director, provides engaging activities for loved ones with dementia, allowing caregivers to take time for themselves.
Whether attending a wine tasting, taking a peaceful walk, enjoying a relaxing nap, or indulging in a spa treatment, we encourage caregivers to unwind. In fact, we plan a dedicated spa day on every cruise to enhance relaxation.
Additionally, we offer interactive caregiver workshops conducted by guest speakers. These sessions provide valuable education and foster meaningful discussions, equipping caregivers with knowledge and strategies to support them on their journey.
– Kathryn Speer Shoaf
We provide personalized one-on-one caregiver consultations and facilitate caregiver support circles.
These sessions allow caregivers to share their experiences, voice their concerns, and learn from one another. One-on-one consultations enable caregivers to discuss their unique challenges in depth while our professional team offers guidance and tailored solutions.
To ensure individualized attention, we maintain a staffing ratio of one professional for every three travelers, creating a supportive and well-structured experience.
We accommodate clients at every stage of a medical condition and offer private-duty caregiver assistance, available up to 24 hours a day for those who need additional support. Families bringing private caregivers can also benefit from our team’s supplemental care services.
We have successfully traveled with clients facing a variety of complex medical needs, including total incontinence, wheelchair dependency, feeding tubes, and oxygen concentrators.
Our ultimate goal is to create joyful, lasting memories for caregivers and their loved ones. We strive to provide fun, fulfilling experiences where caregivers can witness their loved ones genuinely enjoying life because everyone deserves moments of happiness, no matter their challenges.
Kathryn’s approach to accessible travel is rooted in compassion, preparation, and a deep understanding of the challenges caregivers and their loved ones face. Providing medical and emotional support ensures that every journey is safe, enjoyable, and enriching. Her advice for caregivers is clear: with the proper planning and support, travel is possible and can also be a source of joy.
Kathryn Speer Shoaf is a travel expert and adaptive technology professional with over 20 years of experience in geriatrics, rehabilitation, and senior housing. As the founder of Elite Cruises and Vacations, she specializes in creating accessible travel experiences for seniors and individuals with medical conditions, ensuring that both travelers and caregivers can enjoy stress-free, memorable vacations. Her expertise in mobility solutions, caregiver respite programs, and customized cruise experiences allows individuals to explore the world safely, regardless of their health challenges. With a deep passion for making travel inclusive, Kathy is dedicated to helping families create joyful experiences while overcoming accessibility concerns.
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