The Science of Aging Well: How Your Beliefs Affect Your Health
Plan Before You Go
Before buying your tickets, sit down and put serious thought into the trip. Look at every aspect to ensure that you can do what you want regardless of your disability. Do you plan to relax on the beach all week or go sightseeing? Explore foreign cities, or surround yourself with nature?
Once you choose an option, one of the essential tips before your trip is to speak to your doctor. Ask if they have any advice for coping with the long flight or if they recommend taking special precautions along the way. If this is a long-term trip, ensure you get enough medication for the duration.
If you plan to stay at a hotel or visit a particular attraction during your stay, call ahead before you book your tickets. Verify that they have suitable accommodations to ensure a safe stay. Leave no stone unturned. Ask about:
- Wheelchair ramps
- Grab bars in showers
- Medical professionals on staff
- Bed heights
Comfort And Accommodations While Traveling
Getting to your destination will be half of the challenge. Still, it can be made easier if you plan and verify that the proper accommodations exist to create a safe trip. Since you’ll have unique needs, call the airline, bus line, or train company, and ask if they have particular accessibility solutions for your needs. For example, some airlines will provide wheelchair assistance, and others will provide special seating if you can’t get over a fixed armrest or need extra space.
Even shorter flights can be uncomfortable if you don’t take the proper precautions, but luckily, there are many steps you can take to feel more at ease during the trip. If you need to sit or lean in a certain way during the trip, pack blankets and pillows so you can be at ease. Wear loose-fitting clothing and outfits without difficult ties or buttons, so you can adjust as you sit.
For general comfort, avoid alcohol and drink a lot of water during the flight to avoid dehydration and headaches. If you can easily walk, it’s a good idea to get up and do so you keep the blood flowing and avoid clots.
Great Destinations
It’s always a good idea to check your destination ahead of time to verify that there won’t be any roadblocks that stop you from having a good time. Luckily, many tourist spots are becoming more accessible, so you have a great chance of being comfortable wherever you go.
If you’re able to get around and you love nature, then it’s wise to consider a destination where you can enjoy plenty of time outdoors. There’s a lot of beauty to see out there. Even better, time in nature can also help with your particular condition. Many doctors believe that a walk through the park or a bike ride through the forest not only allows you to socialize with others and spend time around greenery, but can also help to ease anxiety.
With that in mind, consider a trip to a national park or visit a historical town and spend time walking around the old buildings. Check out many of the fantastic beaches in the country, such as Ludington State Park, in Michigan, which has beautiful white sand and wheelchairs for rent.
You don’t necessarily need to only go to an outdoor park to enjoy the fresh air. Instead, you can visit other famously accessible towns and spend time inside and out. There are many accessible cities, like Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which have a lot of rich history and it has a public transportation system that prioritizes accessibility. You can also visit beautiful San Antonio, Texas, where many great attractions, including the Alamo, are accessible for wheelchairs.
Conclusion
The point is that you can have a blast on your next vacation if you plan the activities you want to enjoy with your particular disability in mind. Get out there and explore our wonderful world!
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