The free time afforded by retirement means that travel is a high priority for older adults. Many adventures that were not possible in younger years due to job and family obligations are no longer on hold as an older adult.
Travel is on the rise again for older adults as COVID-19 restrictions ease, as well. According to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), 67% of adults age 50 and above plan to travel in 2022. 1
Changes that are a part of aging, like managing medical conditions or reduced mobility, don’t have to threaten travel plans. With planning, your next trip can go smoothly and your time can be spent focusing on fun and memories.
Choosing and planning a destination
Before you book your itinerary, there are a few things to consider. You can avoid becoming overextended by carefully choosing your destination to match any needs and limitations you may have. You should also plan your lodging with the same factors in mind.
Limitations due to health or mobility
If you experience any chronic health conditions, it can be helpful to have a conversation with your doctor before planning a trip. Are there any restrictions to your activity? Do they recommend you stay within a certain distance of any specific medical services?
For those who need assistance with mobility, ensuring that the destination is accommodating is important. Underdeveloped areas with uneven streets may be hazardous or impassable for someone who needs to use assistive devices like a wheelchair, cane, or walker. Are there a lot of stairs where you’re going, or are elevators available? Disability accommodations are not available in every country outside the US.
Planning for extra rest breaks may also be necessary. You may wish to consider a central location for your hotel stay– within a short distance of the sights you’re hoping to see. This way excursions are shorter, and you can return to your hotel easily to rest.
Choose your lodging based on needs
It’s easy to take for granted the comforts of home, where everything you use is likely set up for your needs. Whether you stay in a hotel, a rental home, or other lodgings, there are some questions you may want to find the answers to before you book:
- Will an elevator be needed to access the ground floor, and how close is it to the room?
- Is the bathroom large enough for a wheelchair?
- Are there grab bars in the shower? What about a walk-in shower?
- How many steps are there into and out of the building? What about between living areas like the bedroom and kitchen?
- Are there any hills to walk up to access where you’ll be staying?
- Is parking guaranteed close to the door?
- How high is the bed?
Consider the weather
Extremes in climate can be harder on older adults, especially if there are underlying medical concerns. Spending too much time in the heat, for example, can be dangerous. Consider the weather local to your destination, and plan your trip at a time of year that allows access to outdoor destinations comfortably and safely.
The basics: what to bring
You’ve picked your destination and arranged your travel plans. What should you be sure to pack for the trip? You will need to consider whether any special requirements apply due to your needs, and plan ahead. Once you’re at your destination, some important items may be hard to replace if you don’t have them with you.
Plan ahead for medications
This could easily be number one on your list. You don’t want to be in a situation where important medications aren’t available for the duration of your travel! Some medication tips for traveling:
1. Find out if any of your medications are prohibited at your destination
Certain medications are banned in some countries, or even considered illegal to carry. Common examples include controlled substances like pain medication or ADHD treatments. You can start with your airline to make sure flying with your medications isn’t restricted. At your destination, if it is outside the US, the US embassy may be able to help you answer this question
2. Be sure you have enough to last your trip
Getting a refill while on the road may be difficult. If you are limited on refills and will need to fill your medication while on vacation, be sure you know where a pharmacy is that could fill it, and what steps need to be taken ahead of time if any.
Within the US, it may be as simple as visiting another location within the same chain you already use. Or you may need to have your doctor call in a refill to a new pharmacy after you arrive.
If you’re traveling outside the US, you may need to check with your insurance to see how certain medications are covered and filled in these situations. You may need to coordinate with your doctor to make sure your prescription is written for enough doses to last through a long trip. Specialty drugs can have especially strict requirements that need pre-approval for extra refills.
Finally, certain controlled substances often cannot be refilled within a set number of days. Or, they may have limits on the number of pills that you can fill within a window of time based on your doctor’s prescription.
For example, if you’ve just filled a 30-day supply of your narcotic pain medication, and accidentally leave it at home, you may not be able to fill it again– at least not in a quantity to last the trip. Always double-check your bag to make sure you have all your medications.
3. Plan for any special medication handling needs
Liquid medications, syringes, and cold medications can require special handling for travel. Always check with any airline ahead of time to make sure you’re following any rules they have for traveling with these kinds of medications.
For medications that need to stay cold, be sure you have cold packs or cold storage options that will keep them at the correct temperature for however long you’ll be away from a refrigerator. (On that note, be sure your destination has access to refrigeration for your medications as well.)
4. Be sure to carry your medications with you
Don’t risk getting separated from your medication. Pack them in a carry-on bag, in their individual containers, and clearly labeled. Include a list of all your medications and what you take them for. Include any documentation from your doctor if required by your airline or destination.
Bring any assistive devices for mobility
Canes, walkers, wheelchairs, and even electric scooters are allowed on airplanes. Smaller items like canes can accompany you to the seating area; if you need a wheelchair to get to your seat, the airline can provide you with one that fits down the aisle. They’ll even bring your larger equipment from the cargo area to help you exit the plane on landing if you request it.
Think about ways to pack light
The more you have to carry, the more difficult it is to get to your destination, especially if you have mobility challenges. Check ahead to see if where you will be staying offers a washer and dryer- if it does, you can pack fewer outfits. Consider whether one multi-purpose pair of comfortable walking shoes can be used instead of multiple options.
An e-reader saves space compared to more than one book. A passport holder that you can wear around your neck keeps IDs, credit cards, and cash safe and eliminates a purse if you normally carry one. Small travel-sized toiletries take up less space in a bag.
If you do have to check a bag at the airport and mobility is a concern, be sure to let your airline know that you’ll need assistance to get to baggage claim once the flight lands.
General travel tips
There are a few basic things you’ll want to keep in mind for any type of travel, along with the suggestions mentioned above.
- Be sure you have travel insurance- most Medicare policies do not cover health care outside of the US, so emergency medical coverage for travel is a must if you’re traveling internationally. 2 The right kind of travel insurance can also help cover expensive non-refundable fees if you’re unable to complete part or all of your trip for any reason.
- Look into a personal aide- if you need assistance with personal care and daily tasks and will not be traveling with family or a friend who can help, some paid personal care aides will travel with you. If you’re already using a care service, you can ask if this is something they offer.
- Consider a guided tour- tours can take the guesswork and hassle out of finding your way around popular locations and can help you with planning ahead for considerations like how long you’ll be out and where to stop for food. There are even tours that are specifically geared for older adults. Wheelchair-bound? You can check out WheelchairTravel.org for suggestions.
- Explore cruise options- a cruise can be a great choice if you want to sightsee and relax without a lot of walking. Not only is your room close by for resting whenever you choose, but there are usually plenty of fun activities to pick from. If you do choose shore excursions, be sure they are accessible if you have mobility limitations.
- Plan your time wisely- remember that rest breaks are important and consider your endurance level before filling the whole day with activities. Navigating unfamiliar areas to find accessible bathrooms, elevators, etc. can take extra time, too. Try to pick shorter excursions and activities if you’re limited by health or mobility concerns.
Air travel tips
There are some basics to keep in mind about air travel, especially if getting around and waiting in long lines is difficult for you. Keep these tips in mind:
- Checking in ahead of time online saves time
- For security screening ease, you can apply ahead of time for TSA PreCheck, which means you won’t have to remove shoes, belts, or light jackets and reduces your wait time to an average of less than 5 minutes. 3
- Expedited boarding is available for passengers that need extra help due to mobility challenges- check with your airline for how this is handled.
- If you have a connecting flight, you can request assistance getting between gates if you need help due to mobility challenges.
- Talk to your doctor ahead of air travel about the risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a type of blood clot that can form during air travel or when seated for long periods. 4 They may recommend extra precautions for the trip, such as blood thinners or compression stockings.
Road travel trips
While road travel can be more flexible in some ways than air travel, there are still some things you’ll want to keep in mind while in the car:
- Long rides can be hard on your spine and hips. Make sure to take a break every 2 hours or so, and get out and stretch and move around.
- Taking breaks and moving will also help reduce the risk of DVT on car trips. You can also stretch, gently pedal, and flex your legs in the car frequently while riding.
- Pack healthy snacks to reduce the need to stop for convenience and fast foods, which can be loaded with excess sodium- something that doesn’t go well with many health conditions.
- Be sure to bring enough water to stay hydrated, too.
- Make sure you have roadside emergency essentials with you like a flashlight, jumper cables, and in cold weather, extra blankets.
- If you’re driving alone, be sure your family knows your route, planned stops, and when you intend to arrive at your destination.
By planning ahead, you can fully enjoy your travel
As you can see, there are some important steps to take to plan ahead for a safe and healthy trip. By making sure you’ve prepared for your needs, you can enjoy your travel adventures without worry.
If having a professional caregiver with you for your trip would help you maintain your independence and take full advantage of your travel plans, Caresify’s home care services include assistance with travel. You can learn more about how caregiver services can meet your daily needs by reading about Caresify here, or by calling 888-799-5007.
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