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Ten Vacation Tips for Senior Travelers

November 27, 2018

Ready Set Go - Travel Tips for Richmond Seniors
Ten Vacation Tips for Senior Travelers


1. Find Senior Friendly Travel Services
Whether you will travel together or your parent will be solo, planning, reserving and confirming must be accomplished sooner rather than later. When the destination is resolved with target dates, research airlines, Amtrak, buses, cruise lines. For air and land transportation, seek the most direct and shortest travel times.
 
2. Request and Reserve Elderly Accommodations
Request seat assignment in the rows designated for disabled travelers. And, importantly, request cost-free wheelchair service at every airport origination, connection and arrival location.
 
3. Prepare Personal and Medical Documentation
A government passport is accepted as the highest level of identification by federal TSA security officers. If you or your parent do not already have a passport, consider applying for such months prior to your travel.

4. Packing Tips for Seniors
Pack light. For a person traveling with at least some limitation, aim to pack everything necessary in a roll-aboard suitcase plus a medium-size over-the-shoulder carry-on. Do not check the roll-aboard as luggage, as in-cabin flight staff will gladly stash it in the overhead rack. Such will save a lot of time at the final destination airport.
 
5. Think about a Senior's Safety, Security and Comfort
There are thieves everywhere and, particularly, in high-traffic travel centers. Don't give the scalawags any opportunity to steal from your parent.
 
6. Arrange Medication Management
Most mature adults take five or more medications once or even several times a day. The transportation staff has no obligation regarding the medical dosing of your parent.
 
7. Seniors and Security Checkpoints
If Mom or Dad is in a wheelchair at transportation centers, access to and through TSA (transportation security administration) security may actually be quicker than through the long line of other travelers.
 
8. Consider an Aging Adult's Bucket List
The world of travel is open to just about everyone, even those elderly parents receiving care. Start a discussion with Mom or Dad to learn her or his travel wishes.
 
9. Choose a Senior Friendly Tour or Cruise
There are thousands of tour and cruise possibilities. Tours and cruises offer a unique service, in that they are totally planned, operated and staffed to deliver the promised program and destination discovery.
 
10. Ensure The Destination can Support a Senior's Care Needs
If your parent is flying solo to visit other family, schedule a telephone conference with your relatives to go over the caregiving support your elder needs.
 
CLICK HERE - For additional Educational Resources to review the full article
Source: https://www.agingcare.com/articles/travel-tips-for-senior-travelers-118963.htm

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