Summer Travel Safety Tips for Older Adults

A sense of wonder is one of the best ways to remain young at heart. Heading through airports or highways to new environments can be stressful though, especially in the peak summer travel season in retirement communities Phoenix.

Plan for heat, crowds, and prescriptions before you go, and you’ll reduce stress and welcome adventure with ease.

Paperwork first. 

Purchase travel medical insurance that will cover pre-existing conditions if something unexpected happens, and bring printouts of your prescriptions, vaccination history, and your doctor’s phone number. Keep a scanned file in cloud storage accessible on your phone, tablet, or laptop, and add a list of allergies.

Fly direct or at dawn. 

Security lines and terminal temperatures peak during midday. If you can’t fly directly, take your connecting flights with the same airline so you will always be inside security, and you will have the shortest walking distance. While still in assisted living, arrange for wheelchair assistance through your airline even if you think you don’t need it. Preserve energy for the hottest part of the day, and you won’t tire as easily at night.

Pack wisely. 

Keep all of your prescriptions in two separate, clearly labeled pill containers. Carry one of the sets on board, and keep the other in your checked luggage. Heat degrades the efficacy of pills and capsules, and an insulated lunch bag with a small ice pack will keep your medications cool on routes where the high temperatures can reach over ninety five degrees Fahrenheit. Don’t leave them in the trunk of your car or in your luggage in the cargo hold.

Stay hydrated before and after the flight. 

Water is your best choice to counteract the hot and dry conditions you will experience, so drink plenty of it before and after your flight. Dehydrate yourself by drinking caffeinated soda or coffee, or alcoholic beverages. Bring an empty water bottle through security, and fill it at a water fountain or hydration station. Flying through turbulence often means that the attendants will stop beverage service for the duration, and you want to make sure you have your own supply.

Layer your clothes. 

A base layer of cotton or bamboo will keep you warm when you get cold from the overly enthusiastic air-conditioning on a flight. A thin cardigan or travel throw can be used as a pillow on overnight flights or if you are traveling with just a carry-on. Slip-on shoes will help you move quickly through security and will be more comfortable if you experience a little swelling from sitting for a long period of time.

Stop on highways at least every ninety minutes.

Pick rest stops with picnic tables in the shade or indoors at the visitor center. Stretch your calves and roll your shoulders to keep your circulation moving. Keep a cooler with sliced fresh fruit, cheese sticks, and single-serve yogurt cups, because salty pretzels and peanuts are all you will find at the gas station.

Prepare to be prepared. 

Turn on severe weather notifications on your cell phone, memorize or write down the addresses of local urgent care centers, and give a copy of your itinerary to a family member or friend back home. Just send a quick text every day when you arrive at your destination to let them know you have arrived safely.

Travel is one of the greatest privileges of retirement, and it doesn’t have to come at the expense of your comfort and health in senior living Phoenix.