Posted on May 8, 2020 in Senior Tips
Traveling is something people of all ages look forward to and enjoy doing, and will continue to do after the pass of COVID-19. Traveling, whether it’s across the globe, or simply to the next state over, is a privilege and something for people to get excited about. However, planning a trip is not easy, there are a lot of things to consider and to remember to do beforehand. Whether you are planning a trip alone, with your young children, or with friends, there are many things that you need to think about as you prepare for your trip, especially if you are a senior or are traveling with a senior.
If you are a senior, or you plan to travel with a senior, there is a different level of planning that needs to be done when preparing for a trip. Seniors typically require a bit more in order to be comfortable and to enjoy their travel experience. This post will detail some things that you need to know about preparing for a trip as/with a senior.
It’s common for seniors to travel in their retirement years now that they finally have the time. Some seniors travel alone, while others travel with his or her spouse, friends, or family. Likewise, some seniors enjoy taking vacations abroad and going on adventures, while other seniors would rather relax on a cruise. No matter you or your loved one’s travel situation, it’s important that you know how to make the most of your trip by being prepared. Here are some things to consider when planning your trip to ensure that your trip is enjoyable.
Seniors usually are prescribed a handful of different medications for all sorts of different reasons. From medicine that is crucial to a senior’s heart health, to mundane things like allergy medicine, seniors depend on medication in order to be comfortable. Therefore, before a senior goes on a trip, he or she should make a list of all the medications that he or she uses on a daily basis and make sure to pack them/pick them up from the pharmacy.
A nurse that specializes in in-home care for seniors pointed out that if seniors need assistance preparing their medications, senior care services will be happy to help. Similarly, if a senior has a family member that can help with medication, both preparing and administering, this will be as equally as beneficial as seniors may forget to take their medication while on the trip.
Depending on where a senior is going, his or her means of transportation will be different. If a senior is going on a weekend getaway, he or she will likely be driving; or if a senior is going to a different country he or she will, of course, be flying. No matter what kind of transportation a senior decides to take, he or she must do their best to plan to be comfortable. Perhaps seniors that are flying to their destination should pick an aisle seat as they plan their trip so that getting in and out of the seat is as easy as possible. Or, if a senior is driving, he or she should plan to stop at rest stops to stretch briefly and should look into where those stops are ahead of time.
Another travel tip seniors should keep in mind if they are flying is to try to get a direct flight to their destination rather than a layover flight. Direct flights will not force a senior to get up, navigate an airport, and re-board again, which may be physically or mentally tolling on some seniors.
As seniors plan their trips, it’s important that they look into places that offer senior discounts in order to get the most for their money. Hotels, all-inclusive vacation packages, cruises, and excursions/restaurants on the trip offer senior discounts and can save seniors hundreds, and maybe even thousands of dollars. A senior can look online to find these discounts, or if he or she can not locate them online, a senior can very easily call and talk to an employee about what kinds of discounts are available and what he or she may qualify for.
Seniors should make sure that the place in which they are staying has accommodations that meet their needs. Oftentimes, seniors need help getting around or simply may not be able to get around fast, which may interfere with their trip. In order to ensure comfort and convenience, seniors should make sure to plan to stay at places that offer certain accommodations for the elderly.
In addition to how easily one gets around, seniors should also choose a place to stay that is senior-friendly in other regards. For example, seniors should stay at places that have an onsite medical team (if a senior is not staying with family members) as well as a place that offers designated times for seniors to check-in and out so that they can avoid large crowds.
While seniors are planning their trip, they should make sure to look into some of the excursions and activities that they want to do ahead of time. Not only will this make the trip more organized, but it will also allow them to plan things that they are comfortable doing. Seniors should not try to plan things that they may not be physically able to do; for example, a senior should not plan to go on a hike if he or she has joint or bone issues. Instead, seniors should plan to do things that they are aware that they can do, perhaps go on a tour of a museum or visit national parks.
As you plan your trip, if you keep tips such as these in mind, you are sure to make your trip memorable. Traveling as a senior doesn’t have to be stressful, in fact, it should be the opposite. Make your trip relaxing and exciting by planning ahead and planning accordingly.
About the Author
Kelsey Simpson enjoys writing about things that can help others. She lives in South Jersey and is the proud companion to two German Shepherds and spends her free time volunteering in dog shelters.
