Forget fear – Travelling as a Senior

Last updated on September 22nd, 2022 at 11:06 am

As we grow older the ways and means of how we travel start to change. According to AgeUK, we start to travel a lot more than any other age group. But apart from that, we also need to take into account our lifestyle, attitude, financial position, and most importantly, our health and physical condition.

Mobility

Typically, health and mobility issues come top of the list when it comes to the fear of travelling. The aches and pains of travel mean that we may need to do things more slowly. For example, airports are already a tricky place to navigate, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get through the airport, get to your gate or make your connections.

Travelling with mobility issues can be easier if you just pace yourself.  This can mean accepting assistance when offered; whether that is making sure that you use accessibility options or buying tickets for pre-planned tours.

Pacing yourself can also make your trip more enjoyable. Don’t think that you need to see everything – you could stroll through the sights and sounds, rather than running and trying to get to every tourist trap.

Fear of flying

Almost a quarter of people have a fear of flying. Whether it’s a fear of loss of external or internal controls, fear of crashing, claustrophobia, or something else, it can really affect how and why we travel as we get older.

This very common fear can affect our ability to travel, however, it can be overcome. The key is to understand what triggers the fear of flying and examine how your reaction happens. Identify these so that you can manage your fear.

Another way to deal with this is to get onto the plane with the knowledge of how it works. After all, anxiety thrives in an environment of ignorance, so you should familiarise yourself with the facts of flying. This won’t eliminate your anxiety completely, but it will help you manage it. Luckily, many airlines have recognised this fear and they offer ‘fear of flying’ courses which give you all the information you need, as well as offering escorted flights where the pilot will explain each stage of the flight.

Managing your medical issues

Ensure that you have more than enough of any medicines you take before travelling. Plus, photocopies of your prescriptions and any doctors notes that you need. A quick medical evaluation can help give you peace of mind before you travel,as well as making sure that you have comprehensive medical travel insurance.

Forget the fear of travelling…

The main thing here is having the confidence to travel, particularly if you are going long distance or to an exotic destinaiton. Getting organised with your medicines, buying travel insurance, and having a clear itinerary can help you focus on the excitement of your holiday!