You’ve waited and worked and saved your whole life for retirement. Now it’s here and it’s your time to make the most of every day. What will you do? For many, it’s a time to see the world. For the first time in your life, you have the time to go where you want. To do what you want. And, for seniors in senior living, there’s no home maintenance to worry about while you are away.
With a little planning and foresight, senior travel can be an amazing experience. Let the adventure begin!
Benefits of Senior Travel
It has been said that traveling is the only thing we can buy that actually makes us richer. The merits of this quote and the benefits of travel to mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional health has been well researched. Studies have found that:
- Men who take annual vacations are 32% less likely to die from heart disease, a leading cause of death.
- Women who take vacations at least twice a year are less stressed and less likely to experience depression.
- Three days of vacation can drastically lower stress levels, even after the vacation ends.
- Travel abroad can make the traveler more open-minded and emotionally stable.
- Travel keeps seniors moving and active, often providing more opportunities to move than staying at home.
- Travel can increase confidence as senior travelers overcome fears and get out of their comfort zone.
Overcoming Common Challenges to Senior Travel
The thought of traveling may seem overwhelming at first thought. There’s so much to pack. There are so many things that could go wrong. The “what ifs” magnify and can even stop some people from seeing the world. These senior travel tips can help prepare you and your loved ones for a stress-free trip!
Experience Leisure Care Senior Living
The Landing of North Haven
Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care in North Haven, Connecticut
- Choose a destination that will be easy to navigate, or consider a group trip, or cruise that can easily accommodate special service requests.
- Seek the most direct and shortest routes to your destination while also allowing yourself enough time on layovers to grab a quick meal, use the bathroom, and stretch your legs.
- Request special services as needed in advance. Every airport will be able to provide free wheelchair service if staffed by an airport employee.
- Travel with proper documents including passport, boarding passes, itineraries, emergency contact information, and insurance cards. Also have medical contact information readily available for quick access to medical providers, if necessary.
- Think through medication management. Carry medication with you on the plane and have alarms set on your phone or watch to remind you to take medication during a hectic travel day.
We would love to help you plan your dream vacation! Join us on one of our Travel by Leisure Care quarterly trips or let us plan your family reunion. We are experts in senior travel and specialize in making your trip the adventure of a lifetime.
Find a Leisure Care Community
Better with age, exceptional with us! Come and see how Leisure Care communities are helping seniors rediscover (and sometimes reinvent) themselves.