They say retirement is the best time of your life because you have the money and the time you never had when you were younger to do all the things you’ve always wanted. But when you have mobility issues, it’s easy to feel you’re limited in your options.
Thankfully, more and more places are becoming more inclusive of those with mobility issues – especially older adults. While you may not go skydiving, backpacking or bungee jumping, you still have plenty of options for vacations.
Here we’ll talk about the importance of taking vacations and provide some ideas for some of the best vacations for seniors with limited mobility.
Go on a Cruise
Whether you decide to take a European river cruise or an oceanic cruise, you’ll be able to enjoy beautiful sights and fun activities with no need to be incredibly active. Cruises are a popular idea because they are an easy trip for seniors, providing a ton of amenities and activities without requiring much walking. Some things you can easily do on a cruise include:
- Relax by the pool
- Watch live bands and performances
- Get a spa treatment
- Play bingo, blackjack and other games
- People-watch on the main deck
- Explore the cities at port
- Test your knowledge at trivia
Most, if not all, cruises provide many specific accommodations for wheelchair users and people with mobility issues, making them one of the best vacations for seniors.
Cruises typically include ramps, elevators, wheelchair-accessible cabins, and dedicated assistance with boarding and disembarking. While not all cruises may offer these amenities, you can look online to see if they also offer pool lifts, mobility device rentals and accessible shore excursions.
Have a Staycation
No one says you have to travel when you want to go on vacation. Your hometown can offer just as many activities and scenic views as any other location. When looking at ideal vacations for seniors, a staycation is a great way to have a good time while keeping costs and stress levels low. Some things you can do on a staycation include:
- Have an at-home spa day
- Watch a movie marathon
- Explore local museums and parks
- Play board games with friends and family
- Learn a new skill or hobby
- Start a new DIY project
Many people with mobility issues feel that home is the place where they can relax comfortably and with everything necessary to accommodate their needs. Leaving home makes up half of the stress of traveling, so a staycation is definitely one of the best vacations for seniors.
Stay at a Resort
If you don’t find cruising or staying at home appealing, you can look at visiting an all-inclusive resort. These resorts typically have disability-friendly rooms with lower beds, walk-in showers, wider doorframes and larger spaces, making them a great vacation idea for seniors.
Many resorts also offer beach wheelchairs, pool lifts and dedicated assistance whenever you need them. And even if you are a non-wheelchair user looking for the best vacations with little walking, resorts are a great option where you can relax and enjoy. Your options include:
- Enjoying live bands and entertainment
- Going to themed parties
- Relaxing by the pool
- Unwinding with a massage or a spa day
- Taking a dance class or a mixology course
All-inclusive resorts typically mean you rarely have to pay extra for things, but this varies between resorts. Be sure to read the fine print to ensure your stay will include all the accommodations you are looking for, but when looking at vacations for seniors, resorts are a great way to unwind and have fun no matter how limited you may be.
One tip we have for anyone looking at vacation ideas for seniors is to consult a travel agent. They have years of experience helping people plan their ideal vacations and know which resorts will have the amenities you need. Here are some resources on how to find the best travel agent for your needs:
- AAA Travel Advisors
- How to Find and Use a Good Travel Agent
- Better Business Bureau: How to Find a Good Travel Agent
Visit a Famous City
Barcelona, Madrid, Athens, Paris and more – the world is your oyster! Just because your mobility is limited doesn’t mean your travel plans need to be. Many famous cities that have high tourist rates see many visitors with mobility issues, and they have implemented specific accommodations to make them more inclusive.
Of course, while many cities are becoming more accessible to those with limited mobility, not all of them are. You may have to do some research when selecting the best destination for your vacation, but here are a few resources to help plan trips for seniors with limited mobility:
- Curb Free With Cory Lee. Cory Lee has spinal muscular atrophy and lives in a wheelchair. His blog contains his experiences traveling as a wheelchair user, explaining the benefits and hurdles of each destination.
- Wheel The World. This website helps you plan your trip as a wheelchair user. They can help you book hotels, find accessible travel, get rentals and find things to do all over the world.
- Know Your Options. Consider Alinkers, which are modern walking bikes that make walking easier for those who cannot stand or walk for long periods of time. Or you can use a rollator, which is like a walker, except it helps specifically with balance and offers a place to sit when you need to rest.
- AARP Vacations. Check out AARP’s vacation options. They are specifically designed for seniors, and many of them also include options for those with mobility issues.
While a vacation is the place to relax and simply enjoy yourself, it’s unfortunately unavoidable that those with mobility issues have to do a little extra planning for their vacation. However, when it comes to vacation ideas for seniors, there are plenty of resources available to make planning and preparing easier.
Go on a Road Trip
The open road appeals to many people, and thankfully, driving doesn’t require the same effort as walking. When planning a road trip, you can easily look for hotels with mobility accommodations, restaurants with ramps and any accessibility modifications available at popular destinations. Here are some famous road trip destinations with mobility accommodations:
- Disneyland & Disney World
- Long Beach, California
- Yellowstone National Park
- The Smithsonian
- The Kennedy Space Center
- The Grand Canyon
- The San Diego Zoo
Most popular destinations have information dedicated to educating visitors about their accessibility options and what accommodations they offer to those with mobility issues. Some will have their own accessibility page, and others may list their accommodations in their FAQ (frequently asked questions) section.
Wheel The World and Curb Free With Cory Lee are also both extremely valuable resources that will tell you if your destination is ideal for a visit. And even if those options yield no results, you can call the staff at a particular hotel or desired destination to explain your situation and learn about your options.
While you will have to do a lot of planning beforehand, road trips are some of the best vacations for seniors with limited mobility, because once your plans are set, you can feel confident that the places you’re visiting will have everything you need to enjoy yourself.
Why Taking Vacations Is Important
When you’ve retired, it’s easy to feel bored, or even feel you’ve lost your purpose. In fact, this feeling is common among older adults, especially as they age. Having a sense of purpose and high self-esteem is associated with a lower risk of developing chronic health conditions and premature mortality. One way to ensure older adults feel that sense of purpose is by going on vacation.
Vacations are good for everyone. When we go on vacation, our brains take a break from a monotonous routine, which decreases the amount of a stress hormone known as cortisol. Instead, your brain increases the production of happy hormones like dopamine, serotonin and endorphins. This helps restore the balance of hormones, preventing mental exhaustion, burnout and boredom. And it helps many people appreciate their daily routine.
Managing your mobility needs daily is already stressful enough, so vacations are necessary to help restore balance within your brain and maintain your health. So why not plan the best vacation possible?
About Tutera
At Tutera, we’re committed to providing residents with quality care, expansive resources and dedicated support. We’re here to empower you to live your best life every day, delivering individualized care plans along with emotional, mental and physical assistance.
Communities like Mission Chateau Senior Living and St. Paul’s Senior Community do exceptional work supporting seniors with mobility concerns. If you’re interested in learning more about these or any of our other Tutera communities, you can easily find a community near you or call our team with any questions.
If you’re interested in learning more about Tutera or our senior living communities, you can easily find a community near you or call our team with any questions.
