It’s a wonderful thing when an elderly loved one decides to embrace their adventurous side and hit the road for a trip. Whether they’re off to visit an old friend, see a new city, or enjoy a scenic train ride, domestic travel can be a rich and fulfilling experience.
But in all honesty, when you’re not traveling with them, it’s easy to worry. But you’re probably going to have to have this difficult conversation. For example, will they pick the right places? Stay safe. Handle the unexpected?
While sure, there’s going to be stress on your part, they’re still an adult. But overall, there are plenty of ways to ensure their trip is safe and enjoyable without cramping their independent spirit. So, with all of that said, here’s how to help them prepare for an incredible journey while keeping your peace of mind intact.
Encourage Senior-Friendly Travel Groups
If your loved one is open to the idea, senior travel groups can be an excellent option. But why? Well, these tours are specifically designed with older travelers in mind, and they offer itineraries that balance activity with relaxation, along with plenty of social opportunities.
For the most part, travel groups often handle all the logistics, for example, this includes accommodations, transportation, and meals, making it easier for your loved one to focus on the fun. Plus, having a group leader and fellow travelers can provide an extra layer of safety and companionship.
Now sure, they’re not all entirely the same. But you should ideally help them research options tailored to their interests. Sometimes it can be a city tour (like a weekend tip), other times it’s longer like a national park, or even something massive like a cross-country wine tasting. But there’s something out there for everyone, including different budgets and activities.
Nudge Them Toward Safe and Accessible Destinations
Okay, so here’s the thing; where they go is just as important as how they get there. You should encourage your loved one to choose destinations that are known for being senior-friendly and accessible. Actually, cities with good public transportation, flat terrain, and plenty of rest areas can make travel much more enjoyable for older adults.
But at the same time, gently steer them away from locations that might pose risks, such as areas with high crime rates or limited medical facilities. If they’re open to suggestions, you can share a list of popular spots known for their safety and senior-friendly activities.
Help Them Prep for Solo Travel
If your loved one is traveling solo (which can be super stressful on your par), preparation is key. But you really shouldn’t stop them either. Actually, you should just go ahead and start by helping them organize essential travel documents, such as IDs, tickets, and itineraries, in one easy-to-access folder or pouch.
Ideally, it’s best to just encourage them to share their plans with trusted friends or family members. For example, just knowing their flight times, hotel details, and general itinerary can be reassuring for everyone involved. It’s scary to think, but you just never know what could or would happen, so you need to look into see and get those details!
However, for solo travelers, a small but reliable phone is their best friend. If they never owned a cell phone until now, then you need to get them one ASAP and teach them how to use it. But there the other things too, like you need to make sure their phone is fully charged before each day of travel and consider gifting them a portable charger. If they’re not comfortable with smartphones, guide them through the basics, like using maps, calling for help, or sending a quick text.
Set Them Up with Practical Tools for the Road
So a cell phone was mentioned earlier, and yeah, that is highly recommended (and it’s probably ideal to nudge this). But is this the only tool to nudge? Well, it might also be fairly smart to look into other products for your aging parent or loved one, for example, it can help to look into a GPS tracker for elderly individuals since this alone is a great option.
Basically, it provides a sense of security without being intrusive. But something like a travel-friendly wallet with RFID protection is useful for keeping cards safe because this is sadly becoming a growing issue too.
Suggest Packing Light but Smart
When it comes to packing, less is definitely more, especially for seniors who might find heavy luggage cumbersome. Sure, it’s probably going to sound super obvious at this point, but it’s going to be a really good idea to just go ahead and help them focus on essentials like comfortable clothing, supportive footwear, medications, and toiletries.
Actually, a lightweight suitcase with wheels is a must, and packing cubes can make organizing items a breeze. If their trip involves multiple destinations, suggest a small day bag for outings. It’s perfect for carrying snacks, water, and travel documents without weighing them down. But of course, it really just depends on what they usually pack, and what they need. Usually, with tour groups, luggage isn’t such an issue.
Encourage Health and Safety Precautions
Now, this one just can’t be stressed enough, but safety starts with good health. So you really should just go ahead and double-check that they’ve packed all their medications, along with a list of prescriptions in case anything needs to be refilled while they’re away. Unfortunately, way too many seniors make this mistake of not having enough or trying to get refills, and honestly, it’s just way too stressful.
For added peace of mind, encourage them to carry a list of emergency contacts, including their doctor and any family members. And while domestic travel usually means accessible medical care, it’s a good idea to ensure they know where to find local clinics or hospitals near their destination.
Also, if mobility is an issue, look into destinations or accommodations with accessible features like elevators, ramps, and grab bars in bathrooms. Even small touches can make a big difference.
