Aussies love their holidays away. It doesn’t matter how old you are, it’s always fun to get away from our day-to-day lives and explore somewhere new, or return to a favourite holiday destination that brings us joy.
Whether it’s visiting family and friends across this amazing country of ours, or perhaps an adventure overseas, it’s great for our mental health to be out and about. But there are also benefits for our physical health as well, as we tend to be a bit more active when we’re not at home and in our normal routines.
With this in mind, when we start planning a holiday, it is important to consider whether there may be additional physical demands we need to be aware of.
For example, different cars to get in and out of, stairs to manage at an airport or train station, sitting down for long road trips.
These are all things we need to anticipate and plan for.
Essential travel tips for seniors
The Physio Co would love to help with a tailored plan to make sure that you’re good to go, but in the meantime, we have put together some travel tips for seniors to make sure you enjoy your holiday!
- Stay hydrated. Particularly if you’re flying to your destination, it’s important to keep your fluids up as being on a plane can be dehydrating. If you’re heading to warmer climates, it’s likely that you’ll be sweating more and needing to top up your water intake.
- Pack well. Make sure heavier items are lower in your suitcase so the suitcase is more stable when moving around. Take care when lifting bags and cases in and out of the car, or into overhead airplane lockers and get help as you need it.
- Take breaks. If you’re heading on a long road trip, plan some breaks so you’re not sitting for too long, as this can increase back pain and stiffness in knees or hips. Taking a break and going for a short walk every hour or so can help prevent soreness.
- Managing stairs. Stairs can be a fact of life when travelling, They can provide a great workout but also make you a bit breathless. Take short breaks if you need, and if the stairs are increasing your knee pain, let your good leg lead on the way up, and the bad leg on the way down. Our physiotherapists can suggest exercises to strengthen your knees and combat pain if you’re worried.
Get fit and healthy before you go on holiday
Making sure you’re fit to go on holiday will make travelling all the more enjoyable as it will take a load off your mind.
Our team of physiotherapists are available to help our senior clients prepare by getting suitably fit and ready for the journey ahead.
The more mobile, fit and flexible you are, the more you are likely to enjoy your time away. Being an older person does not mean that you can’t improve your balance, strength and overall mobility!
Take note of these travel trips for seniors, and feel free to reach out to our client care team to discuss how we can help you, or your elderly Mum or Dad get ready for their holiday away! Happy adventuring!
Article written by Nancy Klinko, TPC physiotherapist
1300 797 793