How to Make Traveling More Comfortable as a Senior

For many people, seeing the world can be a very exciting experience. But as you get older, traveling is more difficult and foresight becomes increasingly more important. Here are a few ways you can make that next trip the most exciting experience of your life.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Make your reservations as early as possible. If you are flying, arrange for an aisle seat which you'll find most comfortable, especially on long flights. If your are traveling by boat, pay a little extra for an outside cabin because it is worth it.

2. Have some form of photo-identification with you as you will need to show it before boarding an aircraft. Most drivers' licenses contain a picture, as do passports. Make sure that what you show is not expired.

3. Avoid taking as much as possible onto the airplane with you. Check everything but the bare essentials because, if the flight is full, storage space will be at a premium. Besides, it's best to leave the heavy lifting to others.

4. Call your hotel if you are planning to arrive before 10am to see if your room will be available. If not, make sure you have someplace to rest in the meantime and that your luggage can be stored until your room is ready. If your planned arrival is after 9 p.m., confirm your reservation and tell the hotel about your late arrival.

5. Make believe there is no food on your flight so you won't be disappointed. Pack a snack containing proteins and carbohydrates, as well as something to drink because dehydration is a major problem on airplanes.

6. Once you arrive in your room, be sure the toilet flushes and there are clean sheets on the bed. Remember that this will be your home during your stay; so if thing are not satisfactory to you, request another room.

7. If you are disabled, make arrangements for a wheelchair a day or so before you leave, both to help you to the flight, and again at its conclusion. Often, you will run the risk of missing your flight if you leave this to the last minute.

8. Wear shoes that are easy to remove because you probably will be asked to do so at check-in. Slip-ons or those with Velcro fasteners are the best bet.

9. Plan your trips to the restroom on the aircraft. Less lines are more likely if you plan to go shortly before the end of the movie or immediately after food is served. If you are boarding well before the scheduled departure, make a restroom visit while you're still on the ground.