Okay, folks, let’s talk about travel safety for us senior citizens. I’ve been doing a lot more traveling lately, and I’ve learned a few things along the way, sometimes the hard way! So I figured I’d share my process and what I’ve cobbled together for staying safe on the road.

My Pre-Trip Drill
First thing I did was sit down and really think about the potential problems.
I am not as spry as I used to be.
So, I made a list. My list looked something like this:
- Getting lost.
- Medical emergencies.
- Losing important documents (passport, tickets, etc.).
- Being a target for scams or theft.
- Dealing with mobility issues.
Next, I tackled each item on that list, one by one. And how did I tackle it? Google, of course!

Digging for Solutions
For getting lost, I figured out I needed a good, reliable way to navigate. Used my phone. I also made sure I had a physical map as a backup, just in case technology failed me. I even practiced using the map app before I left!
Medical emergencies were a big worry, I got travel insurance that specifically covered pre-existing * I looked up what to do, how it works.
I also packed a detailed medical history and a list of my medications, both in my carry-on and checked luggage, and shared it with my travel buddy.
To avoid losing important documents, I made copies of everything – passport, driver’s license, tickets, insurance info. Kept one set in my carry-on, one in my checked bag, and emailed a set to myself. Redundancy, people!

For the scam and theft part, I researched common scams in the places I was visiting. I also decided to use a cross-body bag that I could keep in front of me at all times, and got one of those money belts for extra security. I never put my phone in the back pocket of my pants.
Finally, for mobility, I booked accommodations that were accessible and planned my itinerary with plenty of rest stops. I also looked into renting a mobility scooter for one of my destinations, just in case.
Putting it All Together
Before I even packed my bags, I made a checklist of all the safety measures I had planned. Then, I went through the checklist as I prepared for the trip, making sure I hadn’t forgotten anything.
Honestly, it felt like a lot of work at first, but once I got into the habit, it became second nature. And it’s totally worth it for the peace of mind. Knowing I’ve done everything I can to stay safe lets me relax and actually enjoy my travels.
Hope this little walk-through of my process helps some of you fellow travelers out there! Stay safe, and happy travels!