Travel for many of us has been put on hold over the past couple years due to the pandemic. It’s been particularly difficult for families that live any distance from one another. However, there’s good news! The prevalence and effectiveness of COVID vaccines and boosters, COVID test kits, along with regular use of KN95 and N95 masks, bring added protection and peace of mind.
This is prompting many of us to make plans again. We are feeling more comfortable about travel, especially domestically. According to AARP’s 2022 Travel Trends report, 67 percent of people age 50+ anticipate traveling this year, many who are looking to spend time with family.
With some thoughtful planning, we can all enjoy a little time away. Certainly, there might be bumps along the way but anticipating those potential obstacles will lessen travel stress and help bring joy to the journey.
Here are some tips for planning ahead that will help ensure you or an older loved one is ready for an adventure:
Take a COVID Risk-Reduction Approach
A risk-reduction approach tailored to your travel should be part of your overall plan. Fully vaccinated and properly boosted is a great place to start. Include testing; bring extra rapid tests on your trip. Avoid crowds or peak tourist times. Plan outdoor events and activities. Monitor infection rates. Use N95 or KN95 masks when appropriate.
A staycation is another option. Visiting local destinations and attractions can be a great way to explore your community. It can also bring cost savings. If a longer distanced trip is still uncomfortable, the staycation allows you to have a little more control and remain close to the comforts of home.
Focus on strengths and interests in planning a trip
What do we mean by strengths? Too often, people will dismiss the idea of travel based on mobility limitations or concerns about cognitive changes. Taking a strengths-based approach when planning for travel acknowledges health concerns and considerations but opens us to the idea that travel can take many different forms.
Think through specifics for each day of your trip: When traveling with a older family member, as yourself: What is dad’s routine at home? How active is he? When does he like to get up? Go to sleep? Have meals? Take medication? Weave the answers into your planning.
Begin with some small steps first, if possible, ahead of the trip. Plan a day trip or a weekend exploring local destinations such as museums, botanical gardens, parks, a bookstore, or chocolate shop, followed by a meal at a favorite restaurant.
Get your footing, find your “travel” balance, and build confidence.
Build an itinerary
Plan ahead. Whatever your mode of travel, a written, shareable itinerary is essential in guiding the trip.
Don’t pack too much activity into one day. Recognize that time differences, new surroundings, and too much activity can play havoc on sleep patterns, appetite, and your sense of well-being. Best to specifically tailor your travel with intentional down time.
Be flexible. Not everything will go according to plan, so roll with the punches. A good sense of humor helps, too.
Make sure you share the itinerary with family or friends who won’t be traveling with you, so that they can check in and be of support, especially in case there is an emergency.
Take breaks and enlist help
When traveling by car, plan regular stops along the way. Frequent breaks are important to stretch your legs, use the facilities, hydrate, and nourish mind, body, and soul.
If flying, make sure that you have an escort at both ends if the older adult is traveling alone.
Someone have health considerations? You can arrange for a traveling nurse as an escort.
Manage medications
A few simple steps can ensure that medications aren’t an impediment to travel:
- Pill organizers (some refer to it as a “mediset”) are inexpensive and can help enormously. You can also arrange to have pills prepackaged through your pharmacy.
- Have the pill organizer or pill packs in your carry-on luggage in case your other luggage goes missing.
- In addition, a written prescription list and instructions, packed along with the organizer, can help others in assisting.
- If traveling internationally, make sure to research customs in that particular country. Some require that you keep all medications in their individual prescription bottles, and others may need doctor’s notes for even over the counter medications.
- Make sure you know about pharmacies at your destination too, just in case.
Carry an ID card with emergency contact and health information
You can easily create a card with emergency contact and health information, and have it laminated. Pack it in carry-on luggage. List emergency contact names and numbers, as well as health information.
If for some reason you or the individual you are traveling with has a medical emergency or is unable to communicate, the emergency contact information card is a quick reference to help connect with family, support, and medical professionals.
Need a little inspiration?
- Grandma Joy’s Road Trip. Grandma Joy has lived in the same small town in Ohio her entire life and had never been to the mountains or the ocean. Her grandson Brad wanted to change that for her. Their goal is to see all 61 National Parks. To see their travel adventures story, click here. You can also follow Grandma Joy’s Road Trip on Facebook.
- Driving Miss Norma. Newly widowed after 67 years of marriage and diagnosed with uterine cancer, Norma Bauerschmidt opted to travel rather than undergo surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. She told her doctor, “I’m ninety years old. I’m hitting the road.” On August 24, 2015, Norma joined her son Tim, his wife Ramie, and their dog Ringo on a cross-country adventure in a 36-foot motor home. Over the next year, they’d driven the RV nearly 13,000 miles and slept in over 75 different locations in 32 states. Their adventures were chronicled in a book and on Facebook. Let this lovely video inspire you to consider travel: https://www.missnorma.com/home
While this isn’t a comprehensive list, my hope is it will give you encouragement to make and implement travel plans you might not otherwise have considered. Whether a staycation, travel by car, or jetting to a long-distance destination, planning ahead is key to reducing stress and thoughtfully setting out for adventure.
Dreaming of travel but not quite sure where to start? We can help! Schedule a free, get-acquainted call with us today.
Additional resources:
- Savvy Senior Travelers (Rick Steves’ Europe)
- Tip Sheet: Safe Travel Tips for Older Adults (Health in Aging)
- Travel Tips & Planning Advice for 50-Plus Travelers (AARP)
