6 important safety tips every senior traveller should know
Just because we’re a little bit older, doesn’t mean our holiday plans should be any less ambitious. As we’ve mentioned in articles before, senior travel can and should be just a rich, varied and exciting as travel at any other time in your life.
But you still have to be prepared. We’re going to take a look at six safety tips for every senior traveller. Follow these tips and your holiday will go off without a hitch.
1. Make sure you have the right travel insurance
If something goes wrong overseas, it’s important that you’re prepared. Find a provider that offers cover against a range of holiday mishaps including sickness, cancellations, theft and more, which can be tailored to the level of coverage your require for your trip. Having the right travel insurance ensures your holiday will come with peace of mind.
2. Always be mindful of what you’re eating
Yes, in our younger days there were times where it seemed as though we had a cast iron stomach but our intestinal fortitude just might not be the same. So unless you want to spend more time in your hotel bathroom than out and about on your trip, make sure you’re wary of the things you are eating, especially from dodgy restaurants and street markets.
3. Work out a medication plan before you go
Before you leave formulate a medication plan with your doctor. Try to be mindful about the limitations surrounding specific points in your itinerary and areas where it may be difficult to safely store or take the medication due to environmental conditions. It’s also useful to carry the generic names for any medication you need (in the local language if possible) just in case you come to a point where you need to pick some up on the go.
4. Keep your jewellery to a minimum
Nothing makes you stand out as a potential threat to thieves and fraudsters overseas like a big chunky piece of jewellery. When you’re in a foreign country try to dress in a low key manner and avoid ostentatious displays of wealth.
5. Keep your friends and family up to date
Gone are the days where keeping friends and family up to date meant subjecting someone to a heinously price international collect call. With apps like WhatsApp, Viber and even Facebook Messenger you can instantly connect with our close ones no matter where we are, and keep them up to date with how your trip is progressing.
6. Choose appropriate holiday footwear
When you’re on holidays you’re going to be doing a lot of moving about, so it’s important to make sure you’ve got the appropriate footwear. Invest in a good pair of shoes and believe us, after a long day of sightseeing your ankles will thank you.
Do you agree with the steps in this article? What’s been your biggest challenge as a senior traveller? And how did you confront it?
Let us know in the comments below.
Related links:
4 worst travel disasters and how to avoid them
Tips for handling airports with mobility issues
The real reason your luggage is lost in transit