Just because you are 60 or above doesn’t mean that you should stay at home and knit sweatshirts or drink beer while watching the TV. There are tons of sights and sounds out there that are waiting for you to experience them.
No matter the age, one thing remains true about traveling: it’s exciting. Packing for a trip, on the other hand, isn’t. Being a senior citizen, you should see to it that you stash in your luggage everything that you will need for the trip.
So, what are some travel necessities for seniors? On the top of the list are medications as well as prescription notes that contain the doctor’s name and contact details. Jackets, beanies, socks, and others that can offer protection from the cold are important, too. A pair of comfortable footwear is a must. Other essentials are snacks and bottled water.
Packing as a senior is basically the same as packing when you were in your 20s, 30s, or 40s. You should consider putting in the luggage items that you need not only when you are already at your destination, but also on your way there.
However, you are no longer as fit and healthy as when you were younger. This is why there are special considerations when it comes to packing for a trip — it is of utmost importance that your travel necessities as a senior citizen are in your luggage, preferably placed where you can have quick access to them as soon as you need them.
Continue reading if you are about to embark on a great adventure in the near future. Below you will come across some of the most important matters that you need to know about packing for seniors.
Keep in mind everything that you will find below when packing, and your trip will surely go without a hitch.
Why Packing Right is Very Important
Just like what they say, wisdom comes with age. Unfortunately, that is not the only thing that comes into being when you are older.
Being a senior makes you susceptible to developing all kinds of problems that have something to do with your health. Many of them are age-related diseases, and some common examples are:
- Arthritis
- Adult-onset diabetes
- Osteoporosis
- Enlarged prostate
- Kidney and bladder issues
- Glaucoma
- Macular degeneration
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Cardiovascular disease
Some health concerns of seniors have been around since they were young, but as the years passed, those problems have worsened. No matter the case, the fact remains that it is very important for you to prioritize your health and wellbeing all the time, including when traveling.
This is why packing right is a definite must. Failure to do so may make your trip completely unforgettable — but in all the wrong ways!
Never Forget the Most Essential Things
Packing is something that a lot of people do not like. Senior or not, it can cause a lot of stress and apprehension. A lot of people actually believe that they have packing anxiety.
No, it’s not a form of mental illness that people in the medical community acknowledge. However, it doesn’t take away the fact that it is real, and many are suffering from it.
As a senior citizen, it’s not unlikely for you to experience a lot of packing anxiety. This is most especially true if you have a medical condition — nothing can make you worry about your safety and health more than being far away from your doctor, and also potentially leaving behind or losing your medications.
However, don’t let your packing anxiety stress you out and leave you feeling anxious to the point that you want to forget traveling.
Careful planning can help ease your packing anxiety. It’s because it can give you peace of mind. Knowing that all of the necessities are in your luggage can give you the assurance that things are less likely to go wrong.
Making a Checklist is a Fantastic Idea
Before you actually pack your things, it is a good idea to plan the activity first. This is best done up to a couple of months before you leave your home and begin your adventure.
As a general rule of thumb, the earlier you plan, the better. Not only will this help ease your packing anxiety, but also ensure that nothing important will be forgotten.
Don’t just make a mental list of all your necessities — write all of the things that you need to stash in your luggage on a piece of paper. It is also a good idea to stick this list somewhere that you can easily see or access, such as on the refrigerator door or on a corkboard.
Each time you remember something that you should take with you on your trip, all you need to do is grab a pen and include it on the list.
Here are some of the things that you might find important to add to the checklist:
Medications
If you are going to visit a developed country or a metropolis, you can rest assured that there are drugstores there. This does not mean, however, that it’s perfectly fine for you to forget to bring your medications.
If your doctor tells you to take certain pills at certain times of the day, it’s a must that you bring those pills with you. This is most especially true if they are prescription drugs — you won’t be able to buy them at your destination without your doctor’s prescription note.
And even if you have the prescription note with you, the ones that you are taking may not be available at your destination. While traveling, your health should be your top priority.
First-aid kit
Other than your medications, you should also bring with you a first-aid kit. But don’t just bring any-first aid kit — what you should place in your luggage is something that is stocked very well.
From adhesive bandages, alcohol wipes to antidiarrheal drugs, your first-aid kit should contain just about everything that you will need in case a minor injury needs to be managed.
You can come up with your first-aid kit from scratch, or you may simply buy one that’s available from the pharmacy or online.
For instance, this Active Era 90 Pieces First Aid Kit contains over 90 items and is manufactured in FDA approved facility:
Clothes
Yes, you should definitely place in your luggage clothes that are suited for the place that you are going to visit.
If it’s known for its gorgeous beaches, you should never forget to bring your bathing suit.
If it’s known for its powdery snow, you should remember to pack winter clothes.
However, you should also remember to stash in your luggage clothes that can help you have the most comfortable and enjoyable ride while on your way to your destination.
For instance, it’s a good idea to bring with you a jacket, scarf, beanie, an extra pair of socks, and gloves when flying. All of these items can protect you very well from the cold cabin air, most especially during a long-haul flight.
Pillow
Aside from the things that you can wear, it’s also important that you bring with you a travel pillow. This will come in handy when it’s time to take a trip to dreamland while you are in a car or on a plane.
To stick to packing lightly, opt for a small travel pillow or something that can be inflated trouble-free. And what goes with a pillow? A blanket!
Similar to a pillow, opt for a travel blanket that won’t take up lots of space.
Here’s a great idea: accessorize with a gigantic scarf that can be used as a makeshift blanket that you may use as a weapon against frigid temperatures.
Healthy Snacks
Being a senior, you need to replenish your energy on a regular basis. This is true while you are on your way to your destination and when you are already there.
It’s also important to keep your body hydrated, which is very important, especially if you have a problem with your heart.
Needless to say, you should pack with you some healthy snacks as well as bottled water. Consider special dietary requirements when packing your snacks.
For instance, you should avoid taking with you sugary treats if you have diabetes.
Others
Senior or not, there are certain things that you should never forget to pack when taking a vacation. They include important documents such as your passport and driver’s license.
If you are a techie individual, don’t forget the chargers for your devices — placing a fully charged power bank in your luggage is a must. Definitely, you should remember to pack your digital camera and a selfie stick for taking snapshots.
Remember to bring with you the above-mentioned things, and you can have a memorable and worry-free trip. And if there are some items not mentioned above that you feel should also be packed by seniors, feel free to post some of them in the comments section below!
By the way, since we discussing packing, check out our post about best backpacks for seniors:
