Traveling internationally when you are over 70 years old can present several unique challenges that may affect the overall experience, especially if you are going solo to fulfill a lifelong wish and have no one above ground to go with you. This article is for those who may have abused their body in their youth, or for those with a body that may have been faulty from the start. For anyone over 70 who has lived a healthy life and has a body more like that of a 40 or 50-year-old, read it for a laugh at what you are missing out on.
Below is a list of considerations for all traveling septuagenarians:
The cost of travel insurance—by 70, the body is not as good as it once was, with a history of numerous worn out/replaced/repaired body parts. Each medical hiccup must be listed under the pre-existing conditions of a travel policy, and each one will keep your premium rising. Compare travel insurance policies and put your specs on to read any small print.
Comprehensive travel insurance is not debatable—misplacing items is common with age. Your passport, specs, medicines, and even luggage can grow legs and magically disappear. Your hired car crashes because you were having to drive on the wrong side of the road to what you are used to (that is, if the car hire company doesn’t have a limit on the hirer’s age—many have 70 as the maximum age), or you may have been so engrossed in munching on some street food that a pickpocket fleeced you.
Flying class—always go at the pointy end of the plane, if you can afford it. Apart from being super comfy in a big seat with plenty of leg room, you will get a flatbed so you can sleep like a baby on a long-haul flight. First or business class reduces back pain and improves circulation. At the airport, you will have priority check-in, expedited security/immigration services, early boarding, and personalized service during the flight. Access to premium lounges at airports, much better meals, and luxury goodie bags of toiletries. Numerous airlines offer fully enclosed suites, so no one will see if you must soak your false teeth overnight!
Economy seating is fraught with danger for oldies—think DVT, squished up innards (not good if you have diverticulitis), and depending on your flight, there may be a squalling child or a yappy pooch beside you, let alone an unwashed, unknown person hogging the armrest.
Your health will be a determining factor in where you can go and what you can do. Skydiving over Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, rock climbing the huge granite walls in Yosemite National Park in the United States, or heliskiing in the Himalayas of India, are totally off the agenda for oldies unless you have a death wish (if so, ensure that your insurance covers repatriation of your body). Think more along the lines of gentle swims, walks, indulging in spa/wellness treatments, or luscious long lunches, scoffing decadent food, and staying in super-lux hotels. Yes, all the things that may totally not be your gig, if you have led a super active life. This is about avoiding the hassle of a health issue while in another country, since accessing healthcare abroad can be complicated by language barriers, unfamiliar medical systems, high treatment costs, or the need to pay for a child to come rescue you.
Mobility issues can be a bitch. Think arthritis, balance issues, and reduced stamina can make it difficult to navigate airports, public transportation, staircases, and uneven terrain, let alone steer your luggage-on-wheels. Even the sidewalks in Asian countries can feel like an obstacle course because of their extensive, large drainage systems. Another complication to getting around is if you require a mobility aid, such as a walker or wheelchair. Although I have always thought a wheelchair at the airport would be a bonus!
Fatigue and decreased endurance—long flights, jet lag, and time-zone changes can be taxing. The physical strain of packing, security checks, and walking through large airports can be overwhelming for anyone, regardless of age. Cultural and language differences can make communication difficult, making it hard to ask for help or understand local customs and signs. This can increase feelings of frustration and vulnerability, turning Mr. Jekyll into a terrifying Mr. Hyde in an instant. This is another reason to organize that wheelchair before arriving at the airport—even if you need to fake it a bit.
Allow time during the day for a necessary nanna nap, and don’t book all-day tours unless you can sleep on the journey or have a private car and driver you can tell to take you back to the hotel whenever you want. Consider the fact that if you are tired, you are more likely to succumb to heat exhaustion, falling over (maybe your own feet), and broken bones, especially if you have osteoporosis, as well as being super cranky and letting out Mr. Hyde again.
The upshot of traveling alone over 70:
Suck up, even bribe, one of your kids and hope one of them will be amenable to being your travel companion (aka bag carrier, personal carer, and the recipient of your endless chatter in which you may repeat yourself numerous times).
Learn not to be impatient or a grumbling ass and travel with a small group specialty tour—hopefully they won’t all have walking sticks or bad breath.
If money is no issue, then you could always pay for a travel companion to be at your beck and call—at the rate that robots are being advanced, surely soon there will be a purpose-built robot travel companion you could hire? This could be the answer for any childless soul.
NB: Pack plenty of incontinence pads, as a toilet isn't always easy to find, and you probably can’t run as fast as you used to.
Gail Palethorpe, a self proclaimed Australian gypsy, is a freelance writer, photographer and eternal traveller. Check out her website Gail Palethorpe Photography and her Shutterstock profile.
