07/05/2026
Ok, so in addition to tours, I do transfers (pick ups/drop offs), delivery and picking up of wheelchairs, airport or hotel meet and greets, and one of the things I pick up on is how regulated their nervous system is, among other things..
Over the years, I've met guests (many seniors - some very old, many neurodivergent, some with mobility and vision impairments) and as a clinician and tour guide, these are the top 3 things I do immediately after meeting them.
1. Co-regulate, calm and/or match their energy levels. If they are excited, I get excited too then bring them back softly (I've had guests with signs of hyperventilation and breathlessness over Gardens by the Bay).
If they are angry and tired, be assuring and calm, and allowing them to rest - no extensive details on tours or other info, they need to eat, take a shower and sleep off the jet lag. Get the admin done for them, give water to hydrate, direct bell hops, carry their handcarrys, assist in check in process.
2. Have that conversation about their flight and themselves, and while walking from arrival hall to car or from car to hotel concierge - I assess vision, hearing, spatial awareness, cognition - memory, executive functioning, safety awareness, hydration and nutrition prior to landing (Maslow's hierarchy of needs), monitor edema and redness (possibilities of erythema, cellulitis, vascularitis).
2. Adapt subsequent days' tour itineraries based on their preferences, interests, mobility, and energy levels. Health states are always, always monitored.
3. Ensure my transport suits their needs - lower limb weakness will struggle to climb in no matter how luxurious the merc or alphard may seem - and requires support for safety.
After all, these are exhausted but very excited guests, usually after travelling for >24-30 hours.
