Packing for the Weekend Getaway

The weekend getaway is one of the highlights of the summer season but with advancing years, what you pack and how you plan for even a short stay may be slightly different than traveling in youth or with children.  Older adults may have health related concerns and by thinking ahead, unforeseen obstacles can be avoided and the trip made all the sweeter.

What To Pack
Firstly, invest in a lightweight, wheeled suitcase or carry-on and don’t over-pack with too many heavy items.  Do bring:

• Comfortable, supportive walking shoes!
• Small travel umbrella
• Water bottle to be refilled.
• A good book or e-reader
• Spare glasses
• Chargers for electronics
• Healthy snacks; nuts, sliced fruit, energy bars
• Sunscreen – no more than 3.4 ounces if flying
• Wide-brimmed hat
• Wrinkle free clothes that can by layered
• Travel sized toiletries such as shampoo, deodorant etc.
• Medical information – list of all medications, health conditions, copy of insurance, emergency contacts
• A copy of your passport
• If traveling across the border, bring medications in their original bottle

Never check essential items such as passport, identification, credit cards, jewelry, electronics or medications while flying.  They can be lost and leave you stranded.   Send a family member or close friend a copy of the your itinerary

If you are traveling abroad or across borders, consider buying travel insurance and pay attention to the details such as evacuation insurance which ensures you will get adequate medical treatment even if you are too sick to travel commercially.

When booking accommodations, older adults may want to consider reserving a ground-floor room if stairs are a problem and ask ahead about proximity to transportation, restaurants and other amenities.   Some car rental companies have an upper age limit, check in advance to make sure you won’t have any last minute surprises.  Don’t be shy about asking for senior discounts while traveling and take advantage of any other perks that come with age including access to wheelchairs or elevators.

Seniors who fly should get up and stretch often to reduce the risk for deep vein thrombosis.  Even if you can’t walk around freely on an air flight, stretch and roll your feet and if possible bring knees to chest.  Try to select an aisle seat for long flights and skip the alcohol while flying and drink plenty of water instead.

To learn more about traveling in older age visit AARP’s Travel Website at: http://travel.aarp.org/articles-tips/#?intcmp=LNK-DSO-TRVEXP-NAVCLICK-ARTICLES-LINK.  For detailed information about bringing medications across the border visit: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5082-eng.html .