Many seniors are bitten by the travel bug. But when they move around with the help of a mobility device, such as a wheelchair or cane, vacations can seem impossible. Older adults with a desire to see the world have several travel options, even when they live with limited mobility.

Aging adults may want to travel for numerous reasons. Seniors gear up for the holidays, anticipating spending a few days or weeks with the family and grandkids. Retirees have the time and money to visit foreign destinations, while others enjoy seeing the sights aboard a cruise.

Travel invigorates seniors. The humdrum of everyday life transforms into excitement when visiting a new city or country. Vacations allow older adults to spend quality time with their family. Plus, when out and about sightseeing, travel gives seniors a meaningful opportunity to exercise.

How do seniors with limited mobility travel?

Whether the preferred travel destinations are nearby or far, seniors with limited mobility may feel stuck. Travel for these individuals requires more than buying a plane ticket—rather, they must plan ahead, seeking accommodations with wheelchair accessibility and accessible elevators.

1. Take a Cruise

Being on board a majestic ship in the middle of the ocean sounds like a cruise-lover’s dream. It can be a reality even for seniors with special mobility needs. Cruise ships accommodate elderly passengers who use canes, walkers, or wheelchairs. Activities are held onboard and off-board.

Seniors view the glaciers on board an Alaskan cruise ship. Take in the sun by hopping on a cruise ship destined for the Caribbean. Older adults with a taste for historic elegance can book a cruise that visits European ports. Or opt for smaller river cruises instead of ocean cruises.

2. Visit Museums

Cultured seniors with a love for history or art will enjoy visiting museums and art galleries. These destinations are handicap accessible, making it easy for older adults who use wheelchairs to view the collections of notable paintings, sculptures, and historic artifacts.

Art galleries are located all over the United States as well as abroad. Larger US museums are found in New York, Chicago, and Washington, DC. Smaller museums often feature unique exhibits, like those in The Lucky Cat Museum in Ohio or the Museum of Bad Art in Somerville, Massachusetts.

3. Relax at the Beach

Sun and sand are alluring, and seniors with limited mobility can still enjoy them. Walking through the sand may no longer be easy, but many beaches feature boardwalks or sidewalks that are convenient for older people who use wheelchairs, canes, or walkers.

Daytona Beach, for instance, offers handicap parking as well as free beach wheelchairs. Seniors traveling to Florida can get around Miami Beach in any of their free motorized and manual wheelchairs. These mobility devices are built with wide wheels designed for the beach.

4. Ride a Tour Bus

Tour buses are oftentimes filled with elderly passengers eager to see the country with similarly aged peers. Riding a bus to popular destinations allows seniors with limited mobility to sightsee while seated in a cool and comfortable vehicle. Plus, the bus driver doubles as an informative tour guide.

5. Take a Walking Tour

A walking tour is ideal for seniors who can manage to walk a short distance with the help of a walker or cane. Prior to booking the tour, ask how long the tour will be and whether rest stops are scheduled. Seniors can take wheelchair accessible tours in major cities, like Chicago and New York.

6. Stay Local

Though seniors with limited mobility still have the world at their feet, they might consider local travel. Day trips can take older adults to wine tasting events, live shows, and historic buildings. Before hopping in the car for a day out, ensure the events are wheelchair accessible.

7. Visit Amusement Parks

Amusement parks are great places to bring grandkids. They’re suitable for seniors too since most comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Disneyland, Universal Studios, and Busch Gardens are a handful of destinations that are accessible for individuals with limited mobility.

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What destinations are accessible?

Seniors with limited mobility can travel the world, considering many cities worldwide are known to be accessible. Stockholm, Sweden, is highly accessible, with its public transportation options and well-maintained sidewalks. Buses in Vancouver, Canada, feature low floors and sidewalks have curb ramps.

Barcelona, Spain, has enhanced its transportation system so that it is accessible for older people with disabilities. Its sidewalks, like Vancouver, are equipped with curb ramps. San Francisco’s cable cars offer accessibility features, while its tourist destinations provide accessible facilities.

Older adults living with limited mobility can enjoy all that travel has to offer. Call before visiting popular destinations to make sure they are accessible. Senior companionship services from Assisting Hands Home Care ensure that the elderly remain safe and supported wherever they travel in the community.

 

As a reputable home care agency, Assisting Hands Home Care offers compassionate in-home care services that are designed to fulfill the non-medical needs of seniors. We prioritize our care recipients’ physical, emotional, and social health to keep them safe and happy at home.

Companion care services include healthy meal preparation, grocery shopping, transportation to conduct errands or visit the doctor’s office, light housekeeping, and medication reminders. We also discreetly assist the elderly with personal hygiene tasks, such as toileting, bathing, grooming, and dressing.

Emotional and social health are fully supported by our companion caregivers. We engage with our elderly care recipients through conversations, card games, puzzles, and safe outings. Our efforts to keep seniors well-socialized prevent them from succumbing to feelings of loneliness and isolation.

When your aging loved one living in BallenIsles, Boynton Beach, Jupiter, Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, North Palm Beach, Royal Palm Beach, Singer Island, Wellington, West Palm Beach, FL, or the surrounding neighborhoods would benefit from a pleasant companion, choose senior home care from Assisting Hands Home Care. Call us at (561) 566-5989 to schedule your free in-home consultation with us and we’ll develop a flexible care plan.