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The Best Travel Tips for Seniors

Upon retirement, one item on many seniors’ bucket lists is to spend some time traveling. Whether you’re looking forward to taking a road trip around the state you’ve lived in for years or would like to hop on a plane and visit a foreign country, your retirement years present a perfect opportunity to get out there, experience new things and make lasting memories.

According to a recent study conducted by the AARP, 51 percent of seniors were expected to travel domestically in 2017, while 43 percent were hoping to travel both domestically and internationally. Regardless of the destination, spring and summer are the most popular times to schedule trips. Before you pack your bags and head off to see some sights, there are a few steps you should take to ensure both your safety and the safety of your belongings.

Senior Travel Safety: 5 Tips to Ensure a Great Trip

As you’re exploring exciting new destinations, you’ll want to make sure you’re staying healthy and safe. Whether you’re setting out on a solo adventure or travelling with a group, there are a few travel tips all seniors should keep in mind. These include:

  • Do your research. Start by researching the best dates to visit your desired destination, including the cost of airfare, hotels and the local sights you’d like to see. Experts recommend purchasing travel insurance for your trip, too. If you have any existing medical conditions, make sure the insurance will cover them. Before finalizing travel plans, consider direct flights and short travel times to eliminate excessive walking or a need to remain seated for long stretches of time.
  • Do some pre-travel prep work. Find out what kind of documentation you’ll need to bring along with you, such as a valid passport for international travel, a valid driver’s license or ID card, all your boarding passes and tickets, itineraries, etc. Once you arrive at your destination, make sure you’ll know how to get around. For example, you should know if you’ll be able to catch a taxi or bus into town, or if your hotel offers a shuttle to popular venues. Another great piece of advice is to plan your days accordingly. Take some breaks throughout your trip by alternating days of sightseeing with days of relaxing to allow you a chance to recharge.
  • Pack as lightly as possible. As you do your research for your trip, make sure you take note of the climate for your destination at the time of year you’ll be traveling and pack appropriate clothing. Keep in mind that the less you can bring with you, the better! Packing several large, bulky bags is just going to make travel more difficult. Invest in a sturdy rolling suitcase to make getting through the airport, train station or hotel as easy as possible. Don’t forget to bring along extra reading glasses and extra batteries for your electronics, watch, hearing aids, etc. if necessary.
  • Keep valuables protected. Consider leaving your expensive jewelry and watches at home while you travel to avoid becoming a target for thieves. Also, instead of keeping a large amount of cash all in one spot, spread it out amongst your luggage, and keep some in your wallet or a belt next to your skin in case of an emergency.
  • Manage your medications. If you’re on any medications that will need to be packed for your trip, don’t put them in your checked luggage in case anything should happen to your bags. Bring enough along to last a few extra days, too, just in case you encounter any delays while traveling. If you’re traveling internationally, keep in mind that your prescriptions may not go by the same name as they do in the states, so ask your doctor for a list of the generic names of all your medications. This way, you’ll know what to request if you find yourself in need of a refill before you get home.

Life-Enriching Opportunities at Silver Maples of Chelsea

At Silver Maples Retirement Neighborhood, our goal is to create and support a positive aging experience for all residents, and look to offer an enriching lifestyle.  If travel is an important part of your life, we want to support this passion and even offer discounts while you’re away. Do warmer climates call to you during the winter months, or is cottage life a desire in the summer months? We offer seasonal discounts for those who travel for three months or more a year, giving you a little extra incentive to keep scheduling those trips!

Have we peaked your interest?  We invite you to come see Silver Maples for yourself and check out the various senior living options we offer.  You’ll feel the warmth the minute you walk through our doors and will appreciate the wide array of social, educational and entertainment opportunities we provide.  Not ready to come for a visit? That’s okay. You can get to know us from afar by logging on to our website where you can access videos, read some of the personal stories and testimonials shared by residents, their families and our staff, or connect with us through social media to get a peek at daily life at Silver Maples. You can even request more information to receive our brochure packet.

We love helping individuals find a setting that meets their needs now and can support them when changes develop in the future – it’s what we do! Contact us today learn more.

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