Travel tips for senior travellers
Going away on holiday is always an exciting time, however as you get a little older the thought of travelling may raise extra concerns. There are ways that you can ensure that you travel time is comfortable, relaxing and enjoyable.
1. Plan ahead
Use your travel agents expertise to your advantage; they will be able to provide you with information about the climate of your destination, language differences and cultures. Also make arrangements for wheelchairs and seating in advance. If you are flying to your destination let the airline know your preferences, they can sometime provide seats with additional leg room which can come in handy if you are travelling on a long haul flight.
2. Pack sensibly
When packing for your holiday try to spread weight evenly between all of your bags, there's not much point having one really heavy bag and one light one. Suitcases with wheels are a great idea as it makes moving baggage around much easier, especially when you can't get a hold of a trolley to put the cases onto. Make sure you carry enough medication with you for your journey, and any other items that will make your travel time that little bit more comfortable.
3. Visit your doctor
It's a good idea to speak to your doctor before you finalise your travel plans. You'll also need to ensure that you have all of the medication that you may need for your trip along with any vaccinations before you travel. When you visit your doctor it would be a good idea to get a list of all of your pre-existing medical conditions as you will need to list these if you want to buy travel insurance that provides medical cover for the conditions. If you need to carry medication in your hand luggage on a flight it's advisable to keep all medication in its original packaging and bring a medical certificate or note from your doctor with you, especially if syringes are included.
4. Buy travel insurance
Travel insurance is essential when you are going away. Make sure that you are properly covered before you leave for you holiday and confirm that your policy covers you for any pre-exisitng medical condition that you may have. If you have an annual policy ensure that you are covered for the country that you are travelling to and if you are travelling to Europe a EHIC is a good addition to your travel insurance but not a replacement for it.
5. Be comfortable
There are a few things that you might want to consider when planning what to wear when travelling. Loose clothing is advisable, keep fitted/tailored clothes for when you arrive, also wear comfortable slip on shoes and invest in compression socks as these can help prevent deep vein thrombosis which can often result in stiffness and swelling. If you are going on a long flight try and take regular strolls up the aisles and try and perform leg stretches in space allows. If you can, why not invest in a special travel pillow, this could help you avoid a stiff neck after sleeping in an awkward position.
6. Keep hydrated
Although getting in the holiday spirit might encourage a glass or two of your alcoholic beverage of choice it might be advisable to stick to water and fruit juices instead. These will ensure that you are hydrated throughout your journey. It's also a good idea to pack your own snacks to keep you going, especially if you have special dietary requirements or sometimes need that little extra energy boost.
It would also be worth carrying a moisturiser and some eye drops if you tend to suffer from dry skin and eyes.
7. Once you arrive
Once you arrive at your destination take your time to get used to your surroundings, it might also be a good idea to allow a couple of days to get over any jet lag and give your body time to adjust to any time differences. Keep hydrated, especially in hot weather and make sure that you stay out of the sun in peak hours. If you are planning to go on any excursions whilst away it might be worth telling them your age as you might be able to get discounted rates or other special deals.
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