It is said that old age is about reliving your childhood. It is best to treat your elders with love and care. With growing age comes health issues and one major problem that arises is tiredness. Weakness dissolves the bones gradually of the older generation which makes walking, a challenge in itself.
This is why Umrah rituals drain the energy levels of the elderly pilgrims soon as it requires hours of walking. Moreover, the heat levels of Mecca city become unbearable for them. Hence, they should travel during the midler season such as December. You can opt for Ramadan Umrah packages to have a smooth journey. This blog will delve into how you can perform the Umrah trip with the elderly. Let’s explore the tips.
Tips for Umrah with Elderly Pilgrims
This section will discuss the nitty-gritty details of how you can fulfil the ritual of pilgrimage with your elder relatives or parents. These hacks will ensure that you have a worry-free time without being disrupted for any reason during the Umrah. Let’s uncover them:
1. Choose Nearby Hotels
One of the tips is to choose a nearby hotel when travelling with the elderly. Hotels near Mecca might be expensive but are located closer to the Holy Mosque. This will provide the older worshippers with less walking time and reach the mosque on time for prayers.
Moreover, make sure that hotels have amenities for the elderly to make their stay comfortable. Check whether or not the hotels have lifts. Verify that your room is equipped with grab bars and other safety features.
2. Book Earlier
Another key tip for travelling with the elderly pilgrims is to book earlier. You can consult genuine and reputable travel agencies to get Umrah packages. With the travel deals, you won’t have to worry about all the visa processing and transport or hotel arrangements. The travel company will do the homework on your behalf so that you can focus on other more important issues.
By planning early, you can save cost on travelling since a discount is usually offered to early birds. Also, it gives you flexibility to make changes if required, without rushing at the last minute. Booking early gives you ample time to carefully plan and organize everything, minimizing the anxiety levels during the journey.
3. Arrange for Assistance
In case you are sending your elderly relatives or parents alone for Umrah, it is vital to arrange for assistance so that they don’t experience any trouble. You can arrange for services such as wheelchairs or airport transfers, and guided tours for them. With guided tours, the elderly pilgrims would feel secure and can reach out to any other fellow worshippers in any emergency.
Moreover, consult medical professionals about the current health status of your elderly loved ones. Ensure that they are fit to travel on their own or not. You can ask for medical prescriptions, any dietary restrictions, or other special needs, before sending the older worshippers to Umrah.
Learn about any vaccinations and other precautionary measures that the older pilgrims must follow, before entering the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Collect all the necessary medical documents of the elderly pilgrims with you to carry them during the trip.
4. Offer Complete Rest
Make sure your elderly loved ones rest properly before and after each Umrah ritual. Walking for long hours can be exhausting, so let them sit peacefully between Tawaf and Sa’i. Choose shaded areas wisely. Encourage them to move slowly and avoid rushing during prayers.
After performing Umrah, allow them to relax comfortably in the hotel. Give them time to sleep soundly so they regain their energy for the next prayer. Let them eat properly to stay strong throughout the journey. Support them lovingly so they don’t feel like a burden.
5. Pack Essentials
When it comes to travelling, packing your belongings is quite stressful. Plus, you must help with the bags when going on Umrah with the elderly worshippers. During December, the average temperature is between 18-25 degrees Celsius.
Being mildly cooler, you must pack jackets, socks, and other warm clothing for your parents and relatives for their pilgrimage. Moreover, you should pack personal hygiene products, and any other assistance devices such as hearing aids to make travel easy.
Common Challenges of the Elderly During Umrah
This section will explore some of the common challenges that elderly pilgrims face during their Umrah trip. Let’s explore them:
● Dehydration
Saudi Arabia experiences scorching temperature most of the months. The average temperature exceeds 40 degrees, which makes the Umrah a daunting activity. Elderly pilgrims who are not performing the holy trip during December often face dehydration.
Dehydration occurs when your body loses too much water or fluids that are needed for the proper functioning of the body. Moreover, factors such as hardcore physical exercises and heat also cause this condition.
Senior pilgrims must be kept well-hydrated to ensure they have ample energy to complete the rituals. There are ZamZam water coolers installed everywhere within the Haram premises, providing the pilgrims with cold water to quench their thirst.
● Heat Stroke
Another common challenge they face is the heat stroke. This usually occurs in June-July month when the city temperature becomes unbearable, leading to immense sweating or even fainting. Elderly pilgrims fall often into this pitfall.
Their weakened body is unable to tolerate the boiling weather condition, causing them heat stroke. Heat stroke is a condition which happens when your body gets overheated from extreme weather or strenuous physical activities. The best solution to avoid heat stroke during the summer season is to perform the Umrah at night time. Moreover, senior worshippers must pray under shade to prevent fainting.
● Weariness
Elderly pilgrims often feel tired during Umrah because the rituals involve a lot of walking. Tawaf and Sai require them to move for long periods, which can lead to fatigue and sore muscles. The hot weather and standing for too long make it even harder for them.
To avoid weariness, they should take regular breaks and rest whenever needed. Using a wheelchair or walking stick can help reduce strain. With proper care and planning, elderly pilgrims can complete Umrah more easily and comfortably.
Final Words
Taking care of your senior parents and relatives is a blessing. Moreover, it guarantees Muslims rewards from Allah Almighty for tending to the needs of their elderly. While Umrah can be a difficult trip for older individuals, you can make it easier for them by following some tips.
This blog has shared how you can perform the pilgrimage with your senior relatives or parents without any stress. From caring for their medical conditions and comfortable stay to arranging for wheelchairs and packing their essential items, all these factors come in handy when you travel with the elderly. Moreover, you can avail of travel deals to make your journey even more smooth. Are you finding any suitable travel bundles? Contact Muslims Holy Travel to get customised Umrah packages at an affordable rate.
