Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dreamscapes.ca/i/606819
DREAMSCAPES WINTER 2015/2016 50 TRAVEL SLEUTH >> BY JANE STOKES DS BE A SAVVY SENIOR TRAVELLER THERE IS NO BETTER TIME THAN THE GOLDEN YEARS TO EXPLORE THE WORLD AROUND US. TOP: Keep active; however, know your physical limitations. Natalia Bratslavsky/Shutterstock ABOVE: Travelling when we're older and wiser can be enriching. Syda Productions/Shutterstock OPPOSITE BOTTOM LEFT: Buy luggage with wheels and use elevators whenever possible. Rob Wilson/Shutterstock OPPOSITE MIDDLE CENTRE: The retirement years should be a celebration of life. Ruslan Guzov/Shutterstock OPPOSITE FAR RIGHT: Sharing experiences with those who mirror your interests makes any trip more enjoyable. William Perugini/Shutterstock BY COMBINING DECADES OF KNOWLEDGE WITH REAL-TIME JOURNEYS, our participation, observations and interactions with people far from home may never be more enriching. Travelling when we're older and wiser, however, often requires a specific level of comfort, value and cultural exchange. For example, when travelling to an exotic country for the first time, it's smart to investigate exactly how exotic it is compared to home. Or, a repeat visit to a favourite place in the U.S., Mexico or the Caribbean may have to be revised to match our new needs. Even trips to familiar Canadian destinations could unveil a few surprises. So for senior travellers specifically, here's a checklist to ensure a better under- standing of potential issues. HEALTH All travellers should assess their personal health needs and research the conditions and medical facilities available at their des- tination. Securing supplementary medical insurance to cover the costs of a sudden health emergency is essential. And, savvy seniors also take these extra steps before departure: • Get a medical and dental checkup to guard against surprises. Add inocula- tions if needed. • Pack sufficient medications for the duration, plus a few days. • Make a list of personal health require- ments, including exact drug names (and their generic names); any allergies or conditions; and phone numbers for your doctors and the insurance help line. Make copies and keep one in your wallet or purse for quick access. • Verify your insurance covers pre- existing medical conditions and ask questions if the terms are unclear. • Assess the transportation mode to ensure your well-being: legroom for air travel, back support for car comfort, washroom facilities on coach tours, and the rigours of cruise excursions. COMFORT Undoing mistakes or making quick changes may have been a breeze in your youth, but they could be stressful now. Consider these tips: • Buy luggage with wheels and use ele- vators. • Book non-stop flights to minimize airport demands. If connections are