For many of us, summer time is fun and travel time. With the longer days and generally good weather, it’s a perfect time to take a trip to that destination you’ve been wanting to explore.
For retirees, travel is often a major feature of an enjoyable retirement lifestyle. And without the time constraints imposed by a nine-to-five routine, retirement can lend itself to extended excursions to all the places you’ve ever dreamed of visiting. In fact, according to a recent AARP survey, two-thirds of older Americans expect to travel at least one leisure trip in 2024.
But for retirees, it’s also a good idea to take a few extra health and safety precautions while traveling. Along with the usual concerns like keeping your credit cards and passports secure, getting around in foreign countries, and the rest, older travelers should make sure they’re considering the needs that may be occasioned by mobility challenges, medical conditions, and other factors that go along with getting up in years.
Know Before You Go
The US Centers for Disease Control recommends that travelers—and especially seniors—should check health information for overseas destinations before they depart. For certain countries, specific immunizations or medicines may be advisable, especially for those with health conditions that might make them more vulnerable to infection. It may be a good idea to set an appointment with your primary care physician about a month before the trip to let them know about your plans and get individualized advice about medications or vaccines you should have before you leave. Of course, you should also make sure that you’re up to date on routine vaccinations. If you’re on regular medications, make sure you’ve got enough supply to last for the duration of the trip and until you get back home.
International travel plans may also be a good reason to enroll with the US State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This program allows enrollees to register their trips with the nearest US consulate in their destination country. In turn, enrollment entitles you to receive travel and other updates from the State Department concerning your destination country. It also facilitates emergency communication from and to friends and family, if needed.
The CDC has recommendations for a “travel safety kit,” including basic first-aid items and other medications that could come in handy if you start feeling ill in an unfamiliar place. The Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) maintains a list of items and medicines that may not be permitted on flights.
Keep It to Yourself
It’s not a good idea to post on social media before you leave or while you’re traveling; this advertises to the world that you’re not at home and could be an invitation for burglars. Naturally, you’ll want to take lots of pictures and videos to capture those unforgettable moments, but save the Facebook and Instagram posts for when you’re back at home. Sending images and posts to friends and family is fine (and probably even a good idea, so they know you’re doing okay and having fun), but keep your travel details off the Web until you’ve made it home.
The Right Facilities
If you’re staying in a hotel or a privately leased accommodation abroad, t’s a good idea to check out the location carefully before making your reservation. Many foreign countries do not offer the same type of accommodations for wheelchair-bound persons and others with mobility challenges that are expected in the US. If you have a problem climbing stairs, make sure your room is on the ground floor or that the location has an elevator. If walking for extended periods of time is problematic for you, choose activities that allow for frequent opportunities to rest—or focus on attractions that provide plentiful seating.
Keep Your Wits (and Your Money) about You
Older adults can present an inviting target for pickpockets and other street crooks, so it’s probably a good idea to invest in a travel wallet that can be worn under your clothing. This will help to keep your credit cards and other important document secure. And in this era of high-tech theft, if you don’t already have one, get a wallet or pocketbook that shields the contents from radio frequency identification (RFID). You don’t want a scammer with a scanner to steal your credit card information while they’re standing next to you on the subway. Your best protection, of course, is to stay alert and aware of your surroundings. While gazing at great works of art in a famous museum, try to also keep an eye on who else is around. Also, you probably don’t need to carry a lot of local currency; ATM machines are plentiful in most popular destinations, and even though you may pay a fee to withdraw cash, you’ll generally get a more competitive exchange rate by using them.
Travel Insurance
Deciding whether travel insurance is worth it depends on where you’re going, where you’re staying, and what you’re most concerned about protecting. Policies vary, both in what they cover and how much coverage they provide for the premium dollar. Benefits include everything from flight cancellation and lost baggage coverage to emergency medical care and transport. If you’re paying with a credit card, you may want to check what benefits the card offers to avoid paying for coverage you already have.
At Mathis Wealth Management, we know that part of a satisfying retirement is being able to do the things you enjoy. For many retirees, the adventure that comes from traveling to new places is central to their desire lifestyle. There’s no reason why seniors shouldn’t get “out there” and see what there is to be seen: by taking a few extra precautions, they can have a safer, less stressful, more satisfying travel experience. To learn more, visit our website to read our article, “On the Road Again: Travel Tips for Grandparents.”
