| Planning |
 | Find accommodations with elevators. |
| Check out senior discounts to see if they apply. |
| When booking a rental car, verify the maximum age restrictions. |
| Notify the airline or any other transportation of special requests or instructions. These might include:
| Wheelchair |
| Special meals |
| Oxygen |
| Relative cannot be left alone or unaccompanied |
| Relative suffers from memory loss |
| Bulkhead seating if mobility is an issue |
| Seating near the bathroom but not too close to the galley if incontinence is an issue |
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| Verify your health insurance coverage for out of area emergencies to make sure you are covered. If traveling internationally, consider travel insurance for medical expenses. |
| Consider purchasing trip cancellation insurance for if you have to cancel the trip. |
| If traveling by coach, ask if it is a ?kneeling? coach where the driver can lower the entrance. Verify the walker or wheelchair can be stored on the coach. |
| Request hotel rooms close to the lobby, on ground floor, or near an elevator for easier access. Some hotels have rooms designed especially for seniors. |
| Packing |
| Pack all medications in your carry-on. Put any gels, liquids or fluids into a 1 qt-sized plastic bag to get through airport security. |
| Make sure you have more than enough medication to last the entire trip. |
| Bring back up medical supplies such as glasses or dentures. |
| Bring doctor?s contact information and any documentation about any medical condition you might need to share with a doctor you visit on vacation. |
| Take at least an extra copy of all important documents (passports, visas, credit cards, tickets, and traveler?s checks). Leave behind a copy with a family member or friend too. |
| Bring compression socks especially for long flights to avoid swelling and potential blood-clotting. |
| Bring full change of clothing in carry-on bag. |
| Traveling |
| Get up and stretch frequently during trip. Requesting an aisle seat makes this easier to do. |
| Do sitting ankle and leg exercises to keep blood flowing actively through your body. |
| Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. |
| Your loved one should wear a Safe Return bracelet or necklace if you are concerned about him/her wandering off. |
| Avoid busy or noisy places to reduce over-stimulation. |
| Other considerations |
| In the U.S., almost everything is handicapped-accessible. This is not the case in many other countries. |
| Mobility products might help with getting around during the trip (examples include scooters, walkers, and portable seats). |
