Holiday traveling can be stressful, with traffic back-ups, plane delays and so on. Older adults often have special traveling needs, but there are ways to make holiday trips as enjoyable as possible.
Deal with a Reliable Vacation Planner
Sadly, people 62-plus are too often the victims of vacation scams, offering glorious trips for amazing bargain prices. To make sure you don’t fall prey to such schemes, always makes sure you know your vacation planner. If you don’t have an agent you’ve used for years, ask family and friends. Check with the AARP or a group like Elderhostel, which has been planning vacations for those 55 and over for almost 30 years. And stick to well-known online agencies, like Travelocity.
Choosing Holiday Transportation
Seniors needs to be honest with themselves. Are they really prepared drive 1500 miles anymore? What about anyone else riding along? Would a plane or train be a better bet? After all, it's now possible to arrange certain AmTrak trips that allow bringing the car. That offers other advantages: it's not necessary to rent a car when on arrival and the vehicle being driven is something familiar.
The Safe Mature Driver
No matter how good older people think they are at driving (many figure they have "experience"), the fact is fatality rates among those 62-plus have climbed since 1991, the only group for which that’s true. So it doesn’t hurt to refresh your skills periodically. Lots of state motor vehicle bureaus can suggest classes, and the AAA offers a class called “Safe Driving for Mature Operators” in many states. An added bonus: many insurers offer automotive discounts to those who’ve completed this course.
Pack Medications Carefully
Make sure to always have at least a week’s worth of medication(s) along in a separate bag when traveling; e.g., in a carry-on, one's purse, or some other small carry bag. That way even if luggage is lost, the car is stolen, or something else unforeseen happens, the traveler has some extra medications and needn't be frantic if getting replacements is delayed.
A Medical History While Traveling
Travelers should carry a small notebook or folder, or some papers in a wallet or purse that contains at least this info:
- Chronic conditions they have
- Medications and supplements they're taking regularly
- Name/phone of whomever should be contacted in an emergency
Check Foreign Travel Health Advisories
Anyone leaving the country should find out what – if any – waivers are needed to carry glucose monitors, syringes, or any other medical equipment. Also ask what – if any – health problems are common to the area (malaria, diarrhea?) and prepare for them.
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