Traveling with a Senior? Don’t Embark on the Journey Without Reading These 3 Tips

Traveling with a senior can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience for every member of the family. However, since most seniors have special needs and often limited mobility, it’s crucial to plan the travel adventure. The good news is, families, don’t have to guess what to do or how to plan for traveling with a senior loved one, as some helpful tips are found here.

1. Select the Proper Disability Options

Family members can easily determine the disabilities or additional help their senior loved one may need while traveling by getting help from Pegasus Senior Living. Once the disabilities or mobility limitations are known, it’s a good idea to look into the accommodations that are provided. Check with airlines, travel agencies, and other travel planning services to understand the options.

For example, Southwest Airlines allows passengers to choose their disability options when they are booking their flight. Delta requires travelers to contact the airline via phone to request the accessibility options that are needed.

It’s a good idea to request help to and from the gate for the senior, if possible. By asking for assistance to and from the aircraft seat, seniors will remain on board until all the other passengers leave the plane. This can cause a significant delay, which is why only gate assistance should be requested.

2. Make Sure Seniors Travel with a Companion

It’s especially important for seniors to travel with a companion when they are going to a new country. The language differences and customs forms can be confusing and difficult to fill out. While there may be people who are willing to help, it can still be a stressful situation for any senior. Unless the individual is traveling by way of a non-stop, short flight, it is always best for a senior to have someone with them.

Some airlines may claim to assist seniors who are traveling alone, but there are countless stories where this did not happen, and the outcome was negative. It’s best for someone who knows the seniors to travel with them to ensure they remain safe and sound during the entire travel experience.

3. Spread Out Planned Activities

When travel plans include a senior citizen, it’s important for others in the group to take activities and adventures much slower than they would normally. Most seniors don’t have the stamina to keep up with younger individuals, and they may need to relax, sit, and lie down more often.

While everyone is different, in many situations, planning just a single activity before lunch is enough for most seniors. Having some downtime between lunch and dinner is often preferred. The good news is, this advice applies to families that are traveling with young children, too, so inter-generational travel often works out very well.

Traveling with Seniors: How Everyone Can Have a Great Experience

Traveling with the seniors in the family is something that can be enjoyable for everyone involved. While this is true, it is also important to consider the factors here to make sure the unique needs seniors have been considered and met.

Don’t rush seniors when traveling and give them plenty of time to relax and unwind after taking part in any activity. Understanding what these needs are and how they can affect everyone in the group is a crucial part of having a fun vacation.    

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