Labor Day Weekend Travel Tips for Seniors
Author: Debbie Humphrey
Safety Tips From An Experienced Home Care Provider in Clearwater, FL and Surrounding Areas
This year, Labor Day weekend is observed beginning August 31-September 2, and many individuals and families will choose to embark on a final vacation to commemorate the official end of summer. If your family plans to take a trip, I strongly encourage you to include your senior loved ones if possible.
Donya Currie, Senior Editor at the National Council on Aging (NCOA) says, “Traveling is vital for our mental health. Whether you’re traveling a thousand miles a year, or taking an occasional trip, you can avoid extra risks by following these tips. Planning ahead and having a backup plan can help you dodge common hazards and pitfalls.”
The NCOA, Seniors BlueBook, and Seniors Guide have provided great information with 10 travel tips for seniors to ensure everyone has a safe and spectacular time!
- Follow public health guidance.
COVID is still active in our communities and destinations around the world, which is why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults ages 50+ continue to wear masks while in the airport, at the gate, and on the plane for the entire trip. If traveling internationally, be sure to consult with your physician about additional immunizations that may be required.
- Choose a hotel that meets your needs.
Most hotels are ADA-compliant to accommodate guests with physical and ambulatory needs, but some older hotels may not have been updated. This can present falling hazards on stairs or uneven floors, or accessibility issues at the entrance to the hotel and its rooms.
“Before booking a hotel, call ahead to make sure the hotel has elevators, and ask if the elevator is wheelchair accessible if you need it. If not, ask if they can accommodate a first-floor request.”
Furthermore, “Even if you’re traveling with a tour group, don’t hesitate to call a hotel directly if you have concerns about accessibility.”
- Don’t publicize your trip on social media.
I understand your excitement about an upcoming trip, but when you post about it on social media, you are not only sharing your excitement with your friends and followers, but you may also be sharing an invitation to thieves who can target your home while you’re away.
“Facebook’s default privacy setting isn’t particularly private. You may think only your closest friends can see your post, but unless you have strict privacy settings enabled, anyone who is friends with your friends, and even some people who aren’t acquainted with you at all, can see your post.” Consider asking a trusted family member or friend to house-sit while you’re away.
- Know the TSA rules, especially regarding prescriptions.
Prescriptions should always be packed in a carry-on bag when traveling by plane, so they do not get lost by the airline. “If your medication is a liquid and requires that you also have syringes, pumps, freezer packs, or IV bags, the TSA will allow you to carry it all on the plane. Check the TSA’s rules so you know how to pack them.
Additionally, “It’s also a good idea to have a backup plan in case something goes wrong. Make sure to take a list of your medications, doctors, and the location of a pharmacy covered by your insurance or Medicare at your destination.”
- Stay healthy while traveling by plane.
There are several health concerns while traveling by plane: falling, dietary requirements, respiratory issues, and blood clots when traveling long distances.
“Busy airports and tight spaces while getting on an airplane can be a fall risk. The airline will help if you call ahead and ask about priority boarding.”
If you have a chronic health condition with dietary restrictions, let an airline representative know so they can accommodate those needs. If they can’t, bring your own meals or snacks.
“Airplane air can pose challenges. A plane cabin at high altitudes typically has much less humidity than a normal environment, which can put you at higher risk of dehydration and respiratory diseases. Be sure to drink lots of water on the plane.”
When taking extended flights, seniors should stand and walk the aisle to prevent blood clots, especially if they are at high risk. Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) typically occurs when seniors must sit for extended periods on a plane. Dangerous blood clots can form in the veins – primarily veins in the legs – which inhibits blood flow. To prevent DVT, seniors should take frequent breaks, walk around, or do some form of exercise or stretching to keep blood circulating properly.
- Don’t be a target for theft.
Seniors are common targets for fraud and theft, so do your due diligence to keep yourself and your valuables safe.
Check with your hotel to see if it has a safe in your room for your passport, jewelry, or excess cash. And always double-check to make sure the code works before placing your belongings inside. Keep anything you consider valuable inside the safe.
If possible, invest in pick-pocket-proof travel clothes. Many companies design fashionable pants and jackets with deep, magnetically sealed or zippered pockets that help keep your valuables safe from thieves.
When traveling internationally, consider using cash for most purchases. Credit card fraud is prevalent in tourist destinations. Unless you plan to monitor your transaction history via a mobile app, cash will reduce your risk.
Getting foreign currency is easier than ever. Check with your bank to see if you can use your debit card to withdraw cash from ATMs at your destination. Some banks will let you withdraw funds without additional fees. Plus, you may get a better conversion rate doing it this way.
If you prefer credit cards, call the credit card issuer before your trip to let them know where and when you’re traveling. They can tell you if there is a foreign transaction fee for using your card abroad and how the conversion rate is applied to charges. Alerting the company allows it to track potentially fraudulent activity and issue a refund quickly if you get hit. However, most credit card companies will deactivate your card in the case of fraud and will only mail a replacement to your account address. So, take a backup card just in case.
- Keep important documents on hand.
Request copies of prescriptions and statements of medical conditions from each physician and medical center for verification. Make photocopies of passports, driver’s licenses, insurance cards, and travel tickets, and keep them along with the trip’s itinerary as a backup in case of any unforeseen emergencies.
Many seniors no longer have a driver’s license, which can present a problem when going through airport security, so make sure that you have the proper identification, be it a REAL state ID, military ID, passport, or similar credentials. Keep a copy with you, place a copy of the documents in your carry-on bag, and forward a set to your destination.
- Take a break every two hours when you’re on the road.
It’s important to take a break every two hours to walk around and stretch to prevent back and neck pain, or numbness and tingling in the extremities. A short rest stop break will also give the driver a chance to refresh mentally and physically.
Stretch out your back by standing tall and circling your shoulders five times. Reach your arms overhead and hold for five seconds. Lower your arms and repeat the stretch a few times. Passengers can also stretch out their ankles and lower legs while in the car. Do ankle rolls and alternate flexing and pointing your feet every half hour or so to reduce the risk of DVT.
- Watch your posture.
While traveling, maintain good posture to prevent uncomfortable side effects. Use a lumbar or neck travel pillow for support, and if you are driving, make sure you are not too close or too far away from the steering wheel. Also, mirrors should be adjusted to prevent the dropping or raising of the chin to see your surroundings.
- Eat healthy meals and snacks.
Avoid greasy fast food and sodium-laden convenience store snacks to prevent gastrointestinal issues. Registered Dietician, Heidi Reichenberger McIndoo recommends, “Road trippers (should) plan ahead by packing healthy snacks and meals to eat on the road. (Bring) dried and fresh fruit, cheese sticks, and nuts to ward off cravings for unhealthy food while on the road. Pack your cooler with plain or vitamin water and stay hydrated, too.”
If your senior loved ones are unable to travel and require home care and assistance while you are away, Home Helpers is your family when family can’t be there! Our compassionate caregivers serve seniors throughout West Pasco and Pinellas Counties in many capacities.
My care team provides exceptional non-medical in-home care for seniors and is always ready, willing, and able to help family caregivers with respite care so they can take a break and recharge.
Regardless of circumstances, I gladly offer a FREE Consultation to assess specific needs, create a personalized care plan to follow while the family is away, and match the perfect caregiver to provide the necessary assistance to make life easier for everyone.
We proudly serve male and female seniors in Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, Dunedin, Holiday, Hudson, Largo, New Port Richey, Oldsmar, Palm Harbor, Port Richey, Safety Harbor, Saint Petersburg, Seminole, Tarpon Springs, Trinity, and surrounding areas. Home Helpers®…we are Making Life Easier® 727.942.2539
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