Elder Care Cafe

This article is a guest post by Ava Dela Vega and, I believe, a timely topic. As the baby boomers enter their mid to upper sixties, those who love to travel are most likely still on the road. Senior travelers should check out these points and take heed. You can learn more about Ava in the resource box at the end of this post.

The wanderlust doesn’t just fade away so easily. In fact, some people say that the best time to travel is after retirement. Take it as a time to give yourself a little reward after all those years of hard work not just in your career but even more importantly, for having raised a wonderful family. But is traveling still safe for our senior wanderers?

Yes, you can travel and rekindle with the spontaneous and carefree attitude of your youth. But before you get too excited to pack your bags, be sure that you consider the following safety reminders.

See your doctor. Before you even book a ticket or see a travel agency, set an appointment with your doctor. Traveling may be fun but it can also be dangerous to your health. You have to make sure that your doctor clears you to travel. He may also prescribe medications that you can take with you as you travel. Some airports may ask senior citizens to present a travel clearance from their physician before they’re allowed to board a plane.

Seek company. If you got your doctor’s permission, the next thing to do is to find company. Depending on the case of your health, your doctor may require to have a caretaker or nurse tag along. Traveling alone is highly discouraged among seniors so make sure that you have company to travel with. The best travel buddy would be your children or grandchildren since traveling could serve as bonding time as well.

Seek permission from your family. You have to make your family, your children in particular, aware about your travel plans. They should be supportive of your decision. You can’t keep them worrying about you the whole time that you’re not home. And if they allow you to go, make sure that you have everyone’s contact number on speed dial and that you keep in touch every day.

Choose a safe destination. Accept your limitations. Now may not be a good time to tick those items in your bucket list so you may have to let go of your skydiving dreams. Choose a safe destination. Seniors usually enjoy a staycation somewhere in the mountains or in the woods, or a resort by the beach. Choose a destination that would give you the ultimate relaxation experience. Of course, this should also be decided together with the whole family.

Determine your budget. You can’t just blow your entire retirement fund on your travel. Set a budget and be sure to stick to it.

Yes, seniors can travel and rekindle with their wanderlust. But precautionary measures need to be strictly observed to ensure safety. So get your bags ready. Happy travels, seniors!

Resource Box:
Ava Dela Vega believes that every senior has the right to a comfortable and secured living. She works for Care In Homes, a centralized site that lists down in-home institutions in your area, helping you find the best home for your beloved seniors.