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Health & Fitness

Holiday Travel Tips for Seniors

Help your loved ones take the stress out of holiday travel.

Holiday travel isn't for the faint of heart. From long airport lines to full parking lots, the entire experience can be stressful. Each year the crowds are growing bigger, with everyone wanting to share holidays with loved ones. Here are some tips for reducing stress for seniors during the upcoming holiday season.

Plan ahead
Seniors should consider their physical limitations when planning a trip. Seniors with heart disease, for example, might choose an itinerary that does not involve strenuous activities. Seniors may also have a hard time recovering from jet lag and motion sickness, so they should take these factors into account when planning a trip. Before travel, seniors should also have information about their destination that could affect their health, such as the altitude and climate.

Plan for crowds
The weeks around the winter holidays are peak travel periods, and you'll need to allow extra time to park your car at the airport, check your bags and pick up suitcases and rental cars at the end of your flight. Allow extra time to change planes or trains. Pack the clothing you'll need for the weather so you don't have to buy – and bring home – extra items.

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Insure your trip if you can't afford to lose your travel investment
Be sure your travel insurance policy covers weather-related cancellations as well as financial default and baggage loss coverage.

Read the fine print
This is especially important if you're booking nonrefundable tickets or working through travel bidding sites like Hotwire or Priceline. Be sure you understand what you're getting (and not getting). Pay special attention to things like cancellation policies, insurance requirements for rental cars and fees and surcharges. If you're traveling by air, print out a copy of your airline's contract of carriage and bring it along.

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Think outside the box
Some seniors are unable to fly due to medical conditions. Consider driving, taking the train or traveling by bus instead. Amtrak now offers U.S. residents the opportunity to buy rail passes. Amtrak also gives seniors a 15 percent discount. Greyhound's senior discount, available on most routes, is 5 percent. (Tip: If you buy a rail pass, book all of your travel segments as early as possible. Rail pass seats go quickly on Amtrak.)

Stay close to home
Some seniors may not be able to travel long distances for health or financial reasons. So have loved ones travel to you!  Get a map and travel guidebook and draw a circle that encloses the distance you're able to travel. Then, look up museums, parks, restaurants and shopping districts in a few of the towns within your circle. You'll probably find that there are many places nearby that would make great weekend or daytrip destinations that fit any health or financial restrictions.

Don’t let luggage be a pain
When shopping for new luggage, look for a sturdy, light, high-quality and transportable piece, preferably one with wheels and a handle. Avoid purchasing luggage that is too heavy or bulky when empty. Use smart packing techniques and pack lightly.  When possible, place items in a few smaller bags, instead of one large luggage piece. Do not carry bulky luggage for long periods of time.  Make sure to check heavier items when traveling rather than carrying them for the duration of the trip. Most importanty - Do not rush when lifting or carrying a suitcase. If it is too cumbersome, get help.  

Pre-ship holiday gifts, especially if you're not traveling by car
Most U.S. "legacy" airlines are still charging fees for second checked bags, and it may be less expensive to mail presents ahead of time. You'll also be able to insure them so that if something goes wrong, you can at least get your money back. Wrestling with extra luggage on trains and buses can be very frustrating. By shipping gifts before you depart, you can avoid both headaches and backaches.

Check the weather
Weather delays during the holidays can cause all kinds of difficulties, from missed flights to traffic jams. If you're flying, try to arrange your flights so you change planes in snow-free cities (sorry, Chicago!). Once your trip is 10 days away, start checking weather forecasts so that you're prepared for storm-related problems. If you're driving, pack emergency road trip supplies. While on vacation, continue to check weather forecasts so you're ready for your return journey.

Double-check your medications
In addition to medicine prescribed specifically for travel, seniors are likely to take other medicines regularly, such as medicines for high blood pressure, diabetes, or arthritis. They should plan to pack enough medicine for the duration of the trip, plus a few days' extra in case of travel delays. Prescription medicine should always be carried in its original container, along with a copy of the prescription, and all medicine should be packed in carry-on luggage, in case checked luggage gets lost.

Pack your smile

This could be the most important thing you bring along on your holiday vacation. It can help you change your airline seat, get help placing your bag on an overhead luggage rack and find a sympathetic customer service representative.

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