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Gary Lipton Media Relations Manager Phone: 1-(800)-222-5551 Fax: 1-(800)-990-4329 Web site: www. napsnet .com e-mail: printmedia@napsnet.com #2684 North American Precis Syndicate, Inc., 415 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017 Pointers On Booking The Perfect Vacation Rental (NAPSA)—Good news for travelers: As more and more families are discovering, vacation rentals can offer twice the space at half the price of a hotel room and are easier to book now than ever. That may be one reason, according to the global travel market firm PhoCusWright, online bookings of vacation rentals increased from 12 percent in 2007 to 24 percent in 2012. Built-In Savings There are a number of ways to save when staying in a vacation rental. For example, extra bedrooms mean additional family members or friends are able to join in the fun and split the costs. Preparing your own food, instead of going to restaurants for every meal, and having access to a washer and dryer both offer even more ways to minimize expenses. With baggage fees possibly tacking on an additional $100 to $200 per family each way, travelers have the option to pack less, travel lighter and save more. Other potential cost-saving benefits found with vacation rentals include Wi-Fi, as well as entertainment for the kids, such as swimming pools and game rooms. Plus, unlike in a hotel where the only adult time is if parents secure a babysitter, those in vacation rentals can sip wine and share stories on the patio, or gather together to watch movies in the living room, after the kids are in bed. “My kids love it when we travel with their grandparents. We do so at least once a year and have found that it’s easiest for everyone to stay together in a vacation rental,” said Erin Gifford, mother of four and founder of family travel website Kidventurous.com. “It’s nice to be Go the rental route on your next vacation for more family togetherness while spending less. able to spread out and each have our own space after fun-filled days of taking in attractions. We also like being able to cook, play games and spend time with each other under the same roof.” Top Five Planning Tips Use these hints to help secure the perfect vacation rental for your family’s next getaway: 1. Book Early Moms and dads know all too well that planning is key when doing anything with kids—especially traveling. Booking a rental as early as you can is important because each property is unique. You want to have as many options as possible to accommodate your group, such as checking to see if a crib is available or if the property is pet friendly. 2. Read Reviews Learn from other guests’ opinions. They’ve stayed at the properties and offer unbiased, firsthand accounts of what to expect. Reviews clue you in on details that may be overlooked in the listing, such as the need to bring your own beach towels. 3. Go the Extra Mile Look for vacation rentals that aren’t located near popular attractions, such as the waterfront or theme parks. The farther you are from tourist areas, the better the deal. 4. Stay Off the Beaten Path Search for properties in lesserknown destinations for a more peaceful getaway that costs less because demand isn’t as high. 5. Use Reputable Sites Search and book through professional online vacation rental sites, such as HomeAway.com, which offers access to the most vacation rental options in the industry. Alternatively, try VRBO.com, which has been around for nearly 20 years. More Advice The cardinal rule for booking a vacation rental is to always pick up the phone and call the homeowner or property manager. Not only will they know the specifics about the property, but they give an insider ’s perspective on the destination itself. Gifford recently booked a vacation rental via HomeAway and added, “Speaking with a property owner or manager provides insights into a rental and the surrounding community that I only get over the phone. It gives me those extra details I need to determine ‘yes’ or ‘no’ when considering a particular vacation rental.” Once a final decision is made on a property, travelers should request a rental agreement that outlines all rules and cancellation policies so everyone is on the same page. If possible, pay online by credit card or through secure services like PayPal, and avoid mailing cash or using a wire transfer service. Learn More For further facts and to view some available rentals, go to www.homeaway.com. How To Decide About Assisted Living by Michael Newman (NAPSA)—Here’s news about getting old: • The U.S. population aged 65 or older will double during the next 30 years—by 2040, one in five Americans (81+ million) will be 65 or older. • 80 percent of Newman seniors have at least one chronic health condition—50 percent have at least two. •By 2030, 7.7 million adults 65 or older will have Alzheimer’s. •Extreme stress can take as much as 10 years off a family caregiver’s life. All this suggests that more and more people will be deciding whether to move to an assisted living community. These are designed for people who still have and want some independence but need more care than most families can provide. Five signs may suggest someone needs assisted living. 1. Failure to Thrive—Your senior has difficulty with daily activities; doesn’t eat well; isn’t showering as often as before; can’t keep the house as clean; isn’t dressing as well. 2. Chronic Health Conditions—Your loved one may be getting sick more often; losing or gaining weight; becoming more frail; having difficulty walking or with balance issues; or needing more time to recover from colds. 3. Behavioral Changes—He or she has become more forgetful, more agitated and is having mood swings. 4. Medication Management Issues—Your mom or dad is forgetting to take prescribed medications. 5. Socialization Declines— Conversations are getting shorter; there’s less community involve- Moving to an assisted living facility can be easier on the whole family if you do a little research first. ment and less engagement with friends. If these signs are present, it may be time for an assisted living community. These tips may help: •Early Intervention—The sooner you talk about it, the better. •Early Education—Encourage your mom and dad to visit people they know at a community. Some places even offer tours where you can meet the staff, see the facilities, visit with residents, have a meal in the dining room and gather information needed for an informed decision. •Involvement in the Decision-Making Process—What would the person concerned like in a facility? The more everyone is engaged in the process, the smoother the transition can be. •Family Involvement—This is critical. Remain involved with regular visits, especially on holidays, birthdays and so on, and engage in special outings. Make sure you’re spending quality time. •Be Honest—Don’t say they’ll be coming home soon if they won’t. It will be far worse when reality sets in. Mr. Newman is Chief Executive Officer at Always Best Care Senior Services. For more information, visit www.alwaysbestcare.com or call (844) 723-CARE (2273).
