There is no age limit to travel. Grandparents going on a cruise to explore a destination or visit their grandchildren is super fun. But there is always a fear factor in safety and comfort. Navigating the world should be a carefree and enjoyable experience. But planning is key.
There are many factors to deal with before boarding a flight and landing. Making travel reservations, booking a hotel room, planning outdoor trips are common challenges for every traveler. Let us find out the steps to make a trip for senior citizens convenient, hassle-free, and entertaining.
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- 1. Assign a Family Member to Look after Reservations.
- 2. Get Travel Insurance.
- 3. Limit Excessive Walking or Roaming.
- 4. Visit the Family Doctor Ahead of the Travel.
- 5. Pack Light and Smart.
- 6. Carry Less Bling.
- 7. Wear and Carry Comfortable Footwear.
- 8. Watch the Dietary Habits of Elderly Travelers.
- Extra Tips
- Conclusion
1. Assign a Family Member to Look after Reservations.
Make one person in the family take charge of the travel and related arrangements. Few other responsibilities include arranging frequent flyer credit and award tracking programs covering all family members.
There are many travel apps and websites to help seniors with hotel reservations and airline check-in. Offline maps help in easy navigation when facing limited internet access. Knowledge of app use on mobile takes half the worries and inconvenience. A week before the scheduled departure, practice using the app to gain familiarity and experience. A GPS tracking app is of great help in locating seniors who may lose the way or forget the route in a foreign land.
2. Get Travel Insurance.
Packing the bags of older travelers in the family is a caring gesture. Buying travel insurance for them is essential to help them face the emergencies that may come up during the trip. Nothing is worse than to be in a foreign destination and run out of medication or fall and hurt. Travel insurance cover is a guarantee of coverage for senior citizens in case any unexpected harm takes place.
3. Limit Excessive Walking or Roaming.
Mobility can be an issue for aged people and those prone to falls. Walking and movement need to be careful and within limits. When on a travel vacation with seniors, explore shuttle service to help the elderly.
Carry plenty of water bottles with you to help the old family members get enough recharge during the travel. A foldable scooter is an excellent selection to make for your old mum and dad. It will help them visit their favorite places without the fear of a trip or fall.
4. Visit the Family Doctor Ahead of the Travel.
Before packing for the trip, get a health check-up done on your traveling elderlies. Also, make sure their vaccinations are up to date. Carry enough quota of prescription drugs and generic medicines to last the entire trip.
5. Pack Light and Smart.
Going on a family tour means many luggage options. When taking the elderly along, carrying lightweight luggage should be the focus. Emphasize taking rolling luggage to make it less taxing on you at the check-in counter. Carry prescriptions, travel insurance papers, and a list of essential contacts like doctors, close relatives, and family members back home.
Also, it's wise to be familiar with some reliable luggage storage services. It lets you carry only essentials while storing your heavy luggage bags in storage space. If you happen to travel in London, you can get the perks of luggage storage London services which helps you store the luggage at one point and you can roam the city freely.
6. Carry Less Bling.
Cross-country travel heightens the joy of buying nice jewelry, gold watches, and expensive DSLR. Carrying such items is risky when you have elderly members with you. They are soft targets, and with age on their side, they can be unsteady on their feet. So, cut down on shopping for expensive items when on an international trip. Safe travel is the best travel.
7. Wear and Carry Comfortable Footwear.
Heels and Pumps are a style statement. But when you have two senior members boarding a flight with you, comfort should be the primary focus. Put your attention on feet-friendly wear like crocs or flats for the convenience they bring. They are good to walk and tour in. Flats help the wearer stay balanced on the ground. Explore footgear for the elderly that is not stressful on their ankle.
8. Watch the Dietary Habits of Elderly Travelers.
Older folks do not have the digestion ability of a teenager. They have sensitive tummies. Keep them on a restricted diet. Avoid feeding them spicy, oily meals. Boiled water and vegetables, light sauteed meals is the go-to diet for them. Some medications may interact with the diet and put senior travelers in discomfort. Keep a check on their food habits and their meal frequency in a day.
Extra Tips
Here are some more tips to make your travel with senior citizens more relaxed, participative, and trouble-free:
- Before starting on travel, give an identification bracelet to the elderly in the family suffering from dementia.
- Request a wheelchair at the boarding and landing destination for your senior family member.
- Board the plane early. You have a fellow traveler who is old and not so agile.
- If you are flying, research the direct flights with no stopovers. This will reduce the stress of your elderly companions.
- When long-distance travel is the only available option, book seats with comfortable leg space for your aged co-travelers.
- If your elderly members fear air travel, think of alternate methods of transportation.
- Mingle with the crowd every day before boarding the plane. It will help train you to noise levels and help you adapt to the new place more.
- Check the transportation options in the new place on the internet. Find out about price-friendly options such as the bus and rail system.
- Ensure the mode of travel you choose in a foreign land is wheelchair-friendly.
- Carry a mobility aid if you feel the need. Some products like mobility scooters are airline-friendly and come with free delivery options for online customers.
- Seniors are more comfortable with mid-morning to early afternoon air travel. Avoid booking early morning or late evening departures.
- Some aged travelers have special needs and need help during travel. Browse the websites of domestic airlines and shortlist the airline based on extra services and features.
Conclusion
Being older means one can’t travel the same way as before. Physical limitations crop up in aging parents affecting their movement and flexibility. Refusal to travel is not the solution. Mindful travel is the answer to enjoying a vacation. A few tactics and thoughtful gestures can help older people travel smoothly with no glitches. Keep a watch on their mannerisms, loves, likes, and they will bless you for making their trip possible.
