According to geriatrician, Dr. David Lipschitz writing in “USA Today,” traveling might prolong a senior’s life. That makes sense when you think about the varied steps involved for seniors on the go. A driving trip might require someone to decipher a map, make reservations from the road, and just keep an eagle eye on the road. Those activities will certainly keep your mind active.
Trying to navigate your way around an unfamiliar city flexes your mind.
Traveling overseas requires more mental muscle because of language differences in trying to negotiate new territory.
There are cognitive and social benefits for people who travel because they tend to be more active, which lowers blood pressure and is good for the heart and general well-being.
Perhaps we don’t move as quickly as we did 30 years ago but with a little planning, we should travel the world safely and enjoy the process.
Planning Your Trip
Visit Your Doctor
Some overseas locations require vaccinations you don’t normally receive. A checkup before you go will ease your mind that you are in tip-top condition.
Look for Discounts
Those over a certain age often receive discounted tickets or hotel rooms. It never hurts to ask.
Airport Assistance Is Available
If you find walking distances difficult, arrange ahead of time for help getting to your gate at the airport. Whether it is a wheelchair or the tram, you’ll save time and not have to worry about missing a flight.
Pack Extras!
It’s better to have extra camera, glasses, or hearing aid batteries. Make copies of all travel documents and pack those. Ask your physician for a written copy of all your prescriptions. Carry a small notepad and pen to jot down hotel information and directions, addresses, etc, to avoid language hassles in foreign locations.
Consider Travel Insurance
Problems happen. You cannot control Mother Nature nor political upheavals in foreign countries. Travel insurance policies protect the money you have already paid for your trip.
Pack Light When It Comes to Clothing
Think about carrying a ton of luggage around an unfamiliar location. I have done that and will never repeat it. Plan to do laundry in your hotel room if necessary. Many better hotels provide laundry service for a fee. When we made a 3 week trip to Greece and Turkey, we opted for fewer clothes and took advantage of hotel laundry. The extra cost was well worth it.
Car Rental Requires Planning
If you plan to rent a car abroad, reserve it from home before you go and use a company familiar to you, if possible. When traveling abroad, always take out their company insurance. In the U.S., we don’t usually do that since we carry our own good car insurance. But a magazine editor once told me to never try to use my own insurance in other countries. That tip served us well in Athens, Greece, when a taxi flew around a curve in the hotel driveway and wiped out the passenger door of the rental car we were driving. I had just opened the door to get out, and the taxi careened around the blind curve at a high speed, unable to see what was in front of him. He argued with the police and Hertz representative that it was my fault – that I had opened the door after he was in sight. Not true, but I might not have won the argument had I been using my own insurance. Hertz went to bat for us and gave us another vehicle to drive. Don’t take chances in foreign countries.
Travel Off-Season
Crowds will be much lighter and prices may be considerably cheaper. With less traffic on the roads, navigating your way should be less stressful.
Safety First for Traveling Seniors
Practice Common Sense
Stay out of dangerous or unknown areas, especially at night. A much younger “me” once got lost in a barrio of Acapulco with a friend before boarding a cruise ship. We were fortunate to make it back to our ship without trouble. Use common sense. The world is not always a safe place for seniors.
Travel with Friends
The phrase, safety in numbers, exists for a reason. Muggers aren’t as likely to bother groups of people.
Know What to Do if You Get Lost
Abroad, just as in this country, ask the law for help. You don’t know who to trust, so be careful who you ask. I got off at the wrong subway stop in Mexico City years ago, accompanied by 3 children. I had studied a map earlier and figured we would walk to the zocalo in the city center. It took me about 5 minutes to realize I was hopelessly lost and standing in the middle of a very questionable area. Fortunately, a Mexican police officer appeared and between his lack of English and my high school Spanish, he figured out the problem and walked with us out of the bad area of the city.
Leave an Itinerary with Someone
It goes without saying that someone from home should know your travel plans and know how to reach you. Should anything happen to you, that person will know to contact authorities.
A Learning Experience
Consider any kind of travel to be a relaxing, learning experience. Explore new places, meet new people, test out your language skills, even if they aren’t very good. Locals will appreciate your efforts. Consider volunteer vacations where you can help others. For instance, in a National park, you might work on trail maintenance or in a gift shop. They may provide lodging at discounted rates, and you’ll have plenty of free time to explore on your own. Wherever you go, engage your brain and embrace new opportunities. You will not only live longer, you’ll enjoy the process.
