Summer is a great time for senior travel with family and friends for lots of reasons! You can generally count on nice weather, making delays and interruptions to your plans less likely. Your grandchildren may also be on summer break, giving you plenty of quality time with them. Most destinations like national parks are in full swing during the summer months as well, ensuring there will be lots of activities to enjoy on your getaway! Vacations are also a wonderful way for our Seniors Helping Seniors® care receivers to gain new experiences and enjoy some much-deserved R&R!
But, while traveling can certainly recharge your battery, it can also prove stressful if you’re not prepared. With a little forethought, however, you can enjoy a smooth road to relaxation. Let’s look at a few simple ways to ensure you’re ready for a hiccup-free getaway!
Senior Travel Tip 1: Plan Ahead
Not every minute of your vacation needs to be scheduled out, but it’s a good idea to have a general plan for what you’ll be doing on your trip. Before leaving, take some time to research the area so you’re not faced with surprises that will disrupt your fun. Consider the following:
Transportation
Depending on the destination, you might need to make arrangements to help you get around. Check into what options are available where you’ll be staying. Many hotels provide a shuttle service to take guests to area destinations. If not, you may want to rent a car or plan on utilizing ride-share services for activities that aren’t within a comfortable walking distance.
Documentation
There are typically lots of reservations, tickets, and personal documents to keep track of during any trip and not being able to find them when needed can cause major issues. For example, if you’re flying, you’ll likely need an approved I.D., your plane tickets, and perhaps, a passport or vaccination information.
Before leaving on your trip, have your Seniors Helping Seniors® caregiver help you gather and organize these documents. Try keeping them all in one envelope so you know where everything is at all times.
Senior Travel Tip 2: Pack Smart
Organization is key when packing for a trip. It can be frustrating having to dig through a cluttered suitcase to find your essential items. The following Seniors Helping Seniors® tips, however, will get you packing like a pro!
Less is more
For the sake of senior travel convenience (and your own sanity), the lighter you can keep your suitcase, the better! It can be tempting to bring along lots of items “just in case,” but try to keep these impulses to a minimum. Ask yourself questions like the following to help decide what to bring:
- What kind of activities do I have planned? Do they require special clothing or equipment?
- What is the weather forecast?
- Can I bring items that can be worn several different ways?
- Are there laundry facilities where I’m staying?
Feel free to get your Seniors Helping Seniors® caregiver in on the packing as well. They can help keep you organized and pare down what’s essential, getting you off to a great start!
Keep medication handy
If medication is part of your daily routine, it’s important to pack it in a safe place. Keep all your essential medications together and easily accessible throughout the trip. If you’re flying, pack it in your carry-on in the event your checked luggage is lost or delayed.
Senior Travel Tip 3: Stick To a Routine
Routines are important and keep us feeling our best. Vacations, while fun, tend to make it difficult to stick with the schedule we follow at home. With a little planning, however, you can stay on track even when you’re on the go.
Proper rest is often one of the first things to fall by the wayside on vacations. You don’t want to miss a thing so there’s the temptation to plan an activity for every minute of every day. But it’s important to leave time for rest as well. For example, if you have an early morning activity planned, leave the afternoon open to relax by the pool or take a nap.
Eating consistently can be tough on vacation as well. You may be relying on restaurants for your meals, which can be unpredictable, or neglect to leave enough time to eat lunch in between activities. Whenever possible, schedule blocks of time to eat and keep your body fueled. It’s also a good idea to bring snacks on outings in case your meal plans fall through.
It was once said: “To travel is to live.” These simple travel tips can help our Seniors Helping Seniors® care receivers follow this mantra and enjoy life to the fullest! As always, our caregivers love helping their senior companions plan for life’s adventures, so don’t hesitate to get them in on the fun! Now, the only question left to answer is: Where will you go first?