No one has to stop exploring the world just because you’re getting older. Know that it is when you are older that traveling becomes more meaningful. Travel becomes a lifetime of learning which allows you to be grateful for the new experiences you are having thoroughly.
However, getting older does sometimes mean that you cannot travel or globe-trot the way you used to before. It’s not about moving up from a youth hostel to a more convenient hotel. It’s about the physical limitations you may need to move around, and that you have, all of a sudden, become the first person on a bandit’s hit list.
Luckily, there are travel and safety tips you can take to look after yourself and your belongings as well. For a little help, listed below are five tips for senior travelers.
Inquire and Plan Ahead
Either you travel alone, or with a company, you should always finish planning, inquiring, making a reservation, and verifying sooner than later. By doing so, rest assured that you’ll have a safe and smooth trip.
Make sure to go with an airline that offers the minimum fare and viable benefits at the airport and during the flight. Aside from that, it’s also important to get travel insurance. Though it’s necessary for individuals of any age, it’s more important for senior travelers who are more susceptible to getting sick, hurting themselves, or requires extra help if the travel gets delayed or interrupted.
Bring all Medications
As a rule of thumb, bring all your medications with you. You can ask your doctor for travel tips including the vital medications. For instance, it’s of the utmost importance to keep pace with your regular medication regime, aside from the prescribed medications for smooth travel, such as medicines for traveler’s diarrhea, malaria, or altitude illness.
Make sure to pack all your medications in a carry-on suitcase because these bags allows you for ease of access. Don’t forget to bring all your prescription necessary to take the medicines. Pack them all in a transparent plastic bag because it’ll be much easier to inspect your checked bag.
Also, it’s vital to bring enough medicine for the time span of your vacation. Plus an extra more just in case of travel delays and interruptions.
Watch What You Eat
Whether you like or not, senior travelers are most likely to have more nervous stomachs and are often on controlled diets. It’s very clear to want to ignore that information while abroad. However, doing so can result in undesirable and offensive side effects.
So, skip the days where you can eat a whole plate of tangy vindaloo in India or huge bratwurst in Germany. Except if you want to allocate more time in your hotel accommodation rather than going out. So keep the spicy, heavy, and cheesy meals to a minimum.
Furthermore, know that some medicines do not work well with some certain type of foods. For example, you don’t want to eat bananas if you are an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. Thus, if you’re taking any medicines, it’s best to seek advice from your doctor before your flight. As such, you’ll know what food is off limits on the destination you’re going to visit.
Put on Some Loose Clothing
Wearing loose and comfortable clothing is very important when traveling, especially by air. It’ll lower the possibility of getting high blood pressure, heat stroke, and hypertension. Loose and comfy clothes minimize the risk of seizing the risk of blood clots when you are standing or sitting for a long time.
With that said, make sure to wear compression stockings because it can help you prompt the circulation in the lower legs, especially on long-haul flights. Aside from that, be sure to wear comfortable pants, a relaxed top, a jacket, a scarf, a cardigan, and a large bag to store all your needs.
Pack Lightly
When traveling, it’s important to pack light, especially for senior travelers. Aim to carry all necessary items in a sturdy suitcase plus a carry-on bag. You can buy high-quality bags in any online store such as Luggage Online.
Don’t check the roll-aboard as a suitcase because airline staffs will put it in the overhead rack. In this way, you’ll save more time once you arrived at your destination. Make sure to put all important things such as your medications, passport, and any medical prescriptions in your carry-on bag.
Takeaway
It’s never too late to dash a couple of things off of your travel bucket list, even if you’re 90. No one’s stopping you from traveling just because you’re getting old. However, getting old does mean that there are some limitations when traveling. Fortunately, there are travel tips that can help you out in this situation. Follow the above tips to have a smooth and safe flight.
