Travel and the Elderly

The senior market is the newest area being focused on by the travel industry. There are a lot of reasons for this, but the biggest is probably that this is a growing market and that there’s a lot of money to be made by catering to this segment of the population. That doesn’t mean it’s something that you should avoid, but it does mean that you should be cautious. Travel isn’t something that’s fun or even helpful for everyone.

 

But, if you’re loved one wants to go out on vacation, there are a few helpful things to keep in mind. I’ve compiled a few of them here for you as an easy reference.

 

First, be sure that you plan ahead. Travel requires a lot of things like proper documentation, IDs, and other formal requirements. If you’re going to be flying, there will be security checkpoints to plan for, too. Having all of the paperwork on hand and easily accessible can speed these things up. Also, if your loved one is using any medications, having a copy of the prescriptions could avoid potential issues.

 

Speaking of medications, this can be one of the aspects of traveling that can be easily overlooked. Depending on the specific medications that your loved one takes, there will be a variety of needs and planning that goes into the transportation and administration of those meds. Take these things into account ahead of time and make any plans that are needed in advance so that there are no surprises or setbacks while you’re supposed to be enjoying your time away.

 

Travel is often fun for seniors, but poses a unique set of challenges.

 

Finally, don’t forget to take the location and the method of getting there into account, too. For example, if your loved one needs to be near a hospital just in case, then taking a two week cruise is probably not the best of travel plans. Mobility is another issue that some people face. If your loved one is confined to a wheelchair, then something with a lot of walking or stairs is probably out of the question. This has improved quite a bit over the last several years as companies and public works become more aware and sensitive to the needs of the elderly, but it still presents practical problems for many. This also goes for safety concerns. If you have a loved one with mobility issues, then thinking ahead to take steps to keep them safe and healthy needs to be a priority, rather than the destination and events that you had planned.

 

This, like many other aspects of life, is not for everyone. I remember several years ago that my mom insisted that my grandma go on one last trip while she “was still able to.” Perhaps she was physically able to, but travel was not something that my grandma enjoyed. Predictably, she was miserable the entire time they were gone. Travel isn’t for everyone. If it’s not something that your loved one enjoys, don’t worry about it. However, if it is an activity that would be enjoyed, it is good to know that travel and tourism is now more senior friendly than ever before.

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