Seniors Site » Senior Travel Ideas

Your Holiday Guide to Having Fun!

santos — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 00:39:20 +0000

It is that time of year again where everyone wants to spend money on something nice and enjoy some good family time. Holiday seasons are normally among times of year where seniors can enjoy festive parties with friends and families while exchanging lovely gifts.

However, there are seniors who may not look forward to celebrating the holiday season in any way. The festivity buzz may not nudge a senior who is not upbeat about the holiday celebrations. The holiday blues can be due to the fear of disappointing others, bad memories, expectations, sadness and anniversary reactions. Seniors feeling this way could be going through a divorce or suffered a job loss or are living alone.

You can deal with the holiday blues by doing the following:

Being realistic and honest with yourself
Giving yourself special care
Having and sticking to a spending limit
Letting go
Drinking less alcohol

Once you are realistic and know how you want to feel, you can participate in a few things that can bring some good fun during the holiday season. Choose any of the following ideas to ensure you have a splendid time this season.

Plan a getaway

Plan to visit somewhere you have never been but have always wished to visit and go. Enjoy yourself while exploring your inner self during that time.

Organize a party with fellow seniors

Organize and invite friends or neighbors to a party. Find support and company of others that may share the same feelings as you during this festive season.

Have a family day

You don’t have to celebrate things normally. Instead, you can just relax with family instead of the overwhelming holiday celebrations.

Get some exercise

Enroll in an exercise program of your choice that not only keeps you fit but also brings some fun during the holiday season.

Find volunteer tasks

Get up and about in your local area and find some fun activities that involve helping others. This wonderful and selfless act can mean a lot to people who need help.

Think and do things you like to do

What are the things you would like to do this holiday season? Do not limit yourself to the number of things you would like to do. List them down and do them. The ideas could include indulging in your creativity.

Cheap Airline Ticket Tricks

santos — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 04:11:44 +0000

A great deal on airfare can save you on money without compromising on your trip. Moreover, you can win the best tickets available with some knowledge and planning. As an elderly who loves travelling you can not only enjoy saving but also have numerous possibilities of affording many other flights even on a budget.

Make your flying dates flexible

The price of flights can change during various times of the year. Staying vague about your flying dates and knowing when the fare is at its lowest to change your flight dates can help you in saving on flight ticket.

Fly economy

You do not have to take first or business class to get to your destination. To ensure you have a good rest if you have an important appointment such as a business meeting you can take your flight a few hours earlier.

Research your flights and buy early

Researching your flights early can enable you identify when the tickets are at their lowest and make reservations.

Travel light

Traveling with cheap tickets can become useless if you are going to spend a fortune on your luggage. Therefore, bring along things that you really need.

Compare prices online

Various airlines offer varying prices on flight tickets. You can research on the tickets online, make a comparison and choose the cheapest fare.

Use the same airline for both directions

It can be cheaper to purchase and use a roundtrip ticket than one-way. One way may be as expensive as roundtrip.

Use your senior age as a bargain too

You may find airlines that give discounts and other great bargains to the elderly. You can ask for senior discounts that may apply to you and help you save on money.

Direct flights

Avoid connecting flights since you are going to be paying for another destination. You not only save on money but also time.

Avoid flying during festive days

Days such as Christmas, New Year’s, and Thanksgiving are some days of the year when flights can be expensive.

Fly mid-week

Weekends, Fridays and Mondays are some of the busiest flying days. A lot of people may not travel during the rest of the days which makes it possible to get cheap airline tickets.

You can use these tricks to pay less for your tickets than other persons even if you do not get the extreme lowest price.

Roadtripping with Your Grandkids!

santos — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 03:05:38 +0000

There are many activities you can engage in with your grandkids during this summer vacation and one of them is taking a road trip. You and your grandkids can have a special time during your vacation where you can have so much fun, discovery, learning and bonding moments.

Taking grandkids on the road can be memorable for the trip itself and the people you travelled with. To make it memorable you should plan it accordingly to avoid few bumps on the road such as an unhappy lot claiming the trip is boring or suffering from acute hunger pangs.

Long road trips are probably the worst for kids especially if there is no kind of entertainment to while the hours away in the confined car. Elderly people can survive a road trip with their grandkids of any age including toddlers and teenagers by knowing what to do.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Travel games

Some travel games to play with the kids include those that do not need any props or gear such as twenty questions, license place lingo and I.D, rock, paper scissors, odds-evens and geography among many others. Games that seniors and their grandchildren can play that require materials include cards, cootie catcher, string game figures, printable bingo games inclusive of others.

Utilize technology

Sing-along songs and sound from video games, movies or music videos can leave you with a pounding headache. Your grandchildren may use plug-in to keep the sounds from the electronic to the minimum. This also allows persons who want to take a snooze to do so without any difficulty.

Music

You can have a collection of music from all participants to spice up your road trip. Everyone will have a chance to listen to the music of choice and relax while sightseeing. The grandchildren may learn more about your classic taste of music and your can learn about their music as well.

Small toys and coloring books

Small grandchildren may require small toys such as a teddy bear, dolls or cars. Coloring books and crayons will give the little ones something to play with while working on their creativity.

The elderly should also have essentials including cleaning supplies, healthy drinks and snacks, maps, first aid kit and extra clothing among others. In addition, engage the grandkids with great conversations that may lead to great relationships in the future.

Road Trips Made Cheaper

santos — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 02:30:28 +0000

As the gas prices have continued to go high, the travel and trip expenses have continued to increase. However, there are several ways in which we can keep the expenses in check, and cheaper. In this day and age, one of the things that we all want to do is live comfortably and still save a little for tomorrow. Keeping the travel expenses in check can also contribute into our attempts to build up savings. In this article I will list for you five tips which can help you reduce your expenses when traveling.

One way which can help you reduce the amount of expense that you incur whenever you travel to visit your friends or family or for other reasons is by keeping your car tuned up. This simply means keeping it well maintained to maintain fuel efficiency. Always make sure that your tires are well inflated with the appropriate gasoline and replace all clogged air filters before embarking on a journey. This can save you up to ten percent gas since fuel is used efficiently thus reduces your fuel expense. Another way of reducing your traveling expense by reducing fuel cost is driving within the standard speeds and avoiding bad driving habits such as fast cornering, sudden breaking and aggressive driving which lowers gas mileage.

Also you can reduce your expenses by traveling in rented car with more fuel efficiency than your car. Most rental cars come with unlimited miles and thus are better to use because they are more fuel efficient than your own when arranging for holiday travels. You should check with your insurance agent to see if your insurance policy covers rental car. Most policies also cover rental cars. Another way of saving while traveling is using public means rather than using your car. It may sound absurd but sometimes it is very economical to hop in a Chinatown bus even if you have your own car.
In addition, you can also reduce your traveling expenses by reducing the money that you spend on snacks and drinks when traveling. You can do this by carrying some of them with you from home to avoid buying as you travel. Certain things like snacks soda and mineral water can be shopped for prior to the journey. You can carry the old-fashioned ice chest as your travel accessories as well as sandwich-making supplies to avoid unnecessary roadside stops to buy them. These tips can help you keep your travel expenses in check and maximize the trip you’ve been looking forward to the whole year!

Your Guide to Your Perfect Suitcase!

santos — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 06:18:42 +0000

When you travel a lot, you know how important a reliable suitcase is. Double that if you are a senior nursing a bad hip from all those sitting you’ve been doing during the trip, then you are suddenly thrown upright, expected to walk briskly and standing like a man fresh out from a human evolution chart. A perfect suitcase will help you manage hip ache, walking briskly and upright and best of all, WITH your stuff just right alongside with you.
Of course, anything that could weigh you down is out of the question. That includes big carryalls, backpacks and duffels. These are only for the young ones, those who are capable of lugging around bags with ease and confidence however if you are already past 70, better not to risk it.
· Choose one with wheels. Sturdy, good wheels. In all honesty, I’ve had embarrassing trolley bags experiences: wheels come popping out of their shells while navigating a very polished airport floor, or that one time a wheel got stuck sideway and it wouldn’t swivel so I ended up half dragging the suitcase allthroughout the trip. The reason? It is because I bought cheaper brands instead of investing on a good, well-known but expensive brand. In the end, I shelled out double – almost triple – the amount I should have if I bought the expensive one in the first place. The reason why they are expensive is that their trolleys are well-thought of and designed to last a lifetime. There’s a little engineering in these suitecases that’s why they cost more. Go for four wheels instead of two and look for inline skate wheels – the ones found in a rollerblades? – for better rotation.
· Durability – wheeled and unwheeled. For seniors who are fierce followers of unwheeled bags – some of my friends claim that it is sooo inconvenient to “drag” trolley bags and they are more comfortable bringing unwheeled to trips with them – make sure that the material of the bag is sturdy and won’t easily rip especially around the zipper area where the pressure is concentrated the most. Go for Ballistic and Cordura nylons since they are the most durable and lightweight these days.
· Waterproof. You just don’t know what kind of mishaps you’ll meet along the way so better comeprepared. It is not unusual for the weather to suddenly decide on a downpour in the middle of summer just to get you and your stuff wet and sorry. Check your suitcases if they are weatherproof, or at the very least, waterproof – it should be indicated in its tag. Your suitcase could be waterproof ONLY in the inside which is okay too.
· Lightweight and compact. If your suitcase feels like it is the one dragging you then it’s time to dump it. Your suitcase should be able to fit in a small space as much as possible and should be really comfortable rolling around with.
· Warranty. One thing you should really check when buying a suitcase is the warranty it comes with. Lifetime warranties are okay and it should include “transport damage” since this is where real action happens.

Some More Holiday Travel Tips for Seniors!

santos — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 02:03:07 +0000

Holidays are a great time for travelling! That’s also the reason why holidays are always considered as “peak season” by travelers. It must be because it is the only time when everybody is not working, making it the best time to catch up with one another. However, pitstops are to be expected and quite frankly, a trip without a slight bump is not really memorable right? On the other hand, “slight bumps” while travelling should be kept at minimum, so for seniors who are thinking of travelling during holidays, here are some more practical travel tips for you:
· Avoid the road during peak hours. Or flying during peak hours. If you want smooth and traffic-less travel – which shortens your travel time too, make sure that you don’t fly or drive during peak hours, or days. The times/days you need to observe are usually two-three days before the “big days” a.k.a Christmas day and New Year’s day. If these are the only days you could fly then better to fly on the “big day” itself as the travelers are already in their destinations by that time and you’ll have the road/airport all to yourself. Take note too of the day to two after the “big day” since this is the time the travelers are usually packing and going back home.
· Make the most out of your devices. Before you leave, make sure that your mobile devices are all charged up and ready for the trip. Your mobile phone, iPad, laptop and navigator can be your most valuable weapon when on the road. Your mobile phone, no matter how old or new its model is, will connect you to the rest of the world when need be. iPads or/and other tablet computers have applications that are fun to use, at the same time, will help you find your way in and out even of tiniest streets. Laptops, of course, are very handy when you need to get some work done while on vacation so you don’t have to worry about them anymore. Navigators are of course, very valuable when planning your best routes to and fro destinations.
· Minimize your load. If you are visiting family, surely you could do your laundry while staying at their house. This, of course, will definitely lessen the clothes to bring. If you are planning to distribute gifts while there, better to have them delivered ahead of you instead of carrying the gifts with you. Most online shops offer free delivery on purchase so you don’t have to worry about the cost.
· Check out alternative routes. Expect the roads to be clogged this time of the year. To save you from burning your own bottom sitting inside the car for hours, with your tablet computer or navigator – even a map would do – check out back roads and discover hidden gems along the way!

Manual Wheelchair or Mobility Scooter?

santos — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 06:56:03 +0000

For me, the greatest invention ever for the mobility challenged seniors would be the chair with wheels or wheelchairs, electric and otherwise. These mobility aids do help seniors who experience difficulty in walking and getting around in and out of the house. It also helps caregivers a lot in terms of getting their seniors to and fro destinations especially if they are used to the said device. Nowadays, even the “not-so” mobility challenged ones find benefits from using wheelchairs. A dear friend of mine just bought a stylish mobility scooter for himself in case his arthritis attack gets bad. Since he insists on living on his own and staying single, mobility scooter must be the most sensible solution to his problem. He can walk fine on a normal day, by the way, and he sheepishly admitted that sometimes he ride his scooter just for the fun of it. I would too, if you ask me.

Anyway, while mobility scooter looks like the best choice for wheelchairs, some seniors are still considering manual wheelchairs over electrical ones. Of course, if price is to be considered, manual wheelchairs are cheaper than their electric counterparts but there are also manual ones that are quite pricey especially if they were specially made to suit a certain need of the rider. Manual wheelchairs have been around for quite some time now, even dating back as far as the twentieth century which more or less, makes its design more dependable. Basically, manual wheelchairs should be durable but at the same time lightweight. As for the design, manual wheelchairs can have handrails so the senior riding it can better navigate the chair by themselves. Do note that a type of wheelchair called transport chair doesn’t have handrails since they are designed to be pushed from behind. Transport chairs are for those who can no longer operate their wheelchairs on their own. Manual wheelchairs are foldable too which make them more appealing to caregivers.

On the other hand, mobility scooters are the rave nowadays as they are very comfortable for the rider, not to mention, stylish. It somehow exudes the feeling of in-control rather than incapacitated. However, it is expected to be more expensive than manual ones – way expensive, that some seniors don’t see any sense in getting one for themselves. Mobility scooters are sturdier since it has four to six wheels supporting it and the chair supports your back more effectively. Of course, it is easier to maneuver a mobility scooter than manual wheelchairs because it uses joystick from its armrest.

Senior Driving: Safety On The Road

santos — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 06:53:44 +0000

Years of driving may have put your old self into confidence and comfortability when on the road that it is not impossible to overlook some of the basic safety tips when driving. While road mishaps are still very much rampant, most of it can be avoided – actually almost all of it could be avoided if only the drivers were more cautious of their driving habits. The sad truth though is that many innocent lives were taken just because of such carelessness- accidents that could have been avoided.
Let’s face it, as our own bodies conspire against us and aging takes toll, we are more and more becoming a life threat, not only to ours but to others as well. Below are some of the most practical tips to maintain safety on the road, even if you are already a senior:
· Take breaks whenever your body calls for it. Anytime you feel the need to stop, do so. Not only you are doing yourself a favor but you are preventing an accident from happening as well. Suddenly dizzy? Pull over and let it pass. Acknowledging what your body is trying to tell you is the key to safety on the road.
· Check the weather. Road visibility is very important especially if you are struggling with poor eyesight to begin with. Avoid driving when it’s raining as the roads are probably slippery and considering your reaction time, you might have problems navigating the roads.
· Slow down at night – or not drive at all. The problem with night driving is that it impairs your visibility effectively. Also, headlights coming toward you can cause problems , as they can be blinding.
· Drive with company. Like I always say, 2 pairs of eyes are better than one even if they are both impaired. Your company can be your extra eyes. Also, they are most excellent when you are trying to consult a map or if you need to reach for something while trying. In other words, it will allow to you focus your attention to driving and not anything else.
· Use your signal lights. You know the problem when driving is that you are unable to communicate with other drivers realtime. That is, you cannot possibly say to the one in front of you that you would like for him or her to go a little faster or whatnot so the best thing to do is at least use your signal light to let the driver following you to know where you’re planning to go and prepare him for what comes next.
· Use your brakes wisely. Did you know that the most common cause of vehicle accident is breaking abruptly? This is because drivers don’t expect you to just do that hence they are not prepared to suddenly brake when following you.

Public Transportation Made Easy

santos — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 18:27:21 +0000

Have you noticed how awfully hard public transportation has become for seniors? I personally think that it requires the agility of a 12-year old which obviously I don’t have, thank you very much. The mere act of stepping off a railway platform and into a train proves to be an act worthy of the circus! I don’t know about you but lately when confronted by this dilemma, I usually find myself dizzy and disoriented to even lift my foot, thanks to the ever present shoving teen who always comes running at me from back, I’m not having any problem hurling myself into the train without the benefit of time to think how to actually get in!

Yes, I am ranting. And, yes, I use the public transportation for getting around the city just so I won’t have any problem looking for a parking space. I’m lazy like that. But lately, I’m finding it hard to move around using the public transportation and whether I like it or not, I have to admit, impaired dexterity is not my best friend in situations like this.

If you plan to travel using the public transportation, here are some of the things you might want to remember for a smooth and hassle free ride:
· Make sure all your senses are up and running good. That is, you have to wear your eyeglasses so you can see at once if there is a hazard on your way that may cause you to trip, slip or fall. Also, if you are having a hard time hearing, get yourself fitted with a hearing aid first before you try to commute.
· As much as possible, don’t travel when raining or it has just rained as surely there will be patches of wet and slippery floors and pavements that are sure to cause falls and injuries.
· Keep your hands free from holding anything. If you’re bringing a bag with you, opt to bring sling types which you can just “sling” to your body and not bother holding it anymore. Belt bags and backpack are nice choices too since they allow your hands to be free to grab onto something if you lose balance.
· Stay on the right side at all times. Counterflowing is bad for your health.
· Safety first. At all times! Don’t forget to buckle up at every chance you get. Seat belts were installed to make your ride as safe as possible so better use them.

Cheap Travel Tips for Seniors

santos — Thu, 26 May 2011 17:16:24 +0000

Despite the crazy weathers we are currently having, we, seniors are still up for a summer of fun and travel. However, due to tough times, there is no way we can get away with yearly cruise and luxury travels, right? We need to get by in between luxury travels with something that is still worthwhile and fun even if it’s cheap. So here is my cheap travel guide for my fellow seniors:
•    Start early. Be on the look out for promos offered during springtime as they are almost always for the summer such as early flight bookings, discount tickets and summer events. Early flight bookings are good since airplane seats that are booked 2-3 months in advance are mostly at discounted rates.
•    Ask around. If you are interested in visiting a resort or a place and would like to know more, you inquire right? You call the front desk and ask for information or you visit their website and browse around. Same thing if you would like to know if they have a summer offer this year, you just have to ask.
•    Befriend a travel agent. What better way to know travel deals than having them directly from inside? Your friendly travel agent is like your personal spy, giving you “inside info” on the best deals in town. By the way, the best of travel deals are almost always last minute so there’s no “planning ahead” involve, it is purely a bit of luck and lots of inside connections.
•    Don’t depend solely on websites. Funny but I find most travel websites not up-to-date therefore if I don’t call up I will definitely miss an opportunity. Better safe than sorry, ring up your planned location and ask.
•    Shop around. For some reason, travel agencies tend to be different with one another in terms of rates and promos offered. I suspect some travel agencies are kind enough to pass their discounts to clients while some don’t, either way it pays to shop around and decide which travel agency to use.
•    Ask about your senior discount. Never forget the power of your age, that is, your power to haggle your way around! Senior discount is mandated by law. It is required, so you don’t have to be ashamed of your age instead, flaunt it.
•    Travel in groups. Traveling with a group is fun as you get to meet other people and spend time with them. Also, group travels are often offered in reduced rates saving you and your group some money. Best of all, there is added security when traveling in groups.