Healthy Living

5 Tips to Help Make the Most of Your Vacation

One of the perks of retirement is having more free time to do the things that you love.  For many older people, this means traveling.  According to the AARP 2019 Travel Trends Report, 99 percent of Baby Boomers plan to take at least one leisure trip this year.  And, whether the purpose is seeing family, a romantic getaway or a summer vacation, there are a few good tips to keep in mind while traveling. 

1. Safety first!

Take safety precautions even before you go on vacation.  Don’t publicly advertise that you will be away from home on social media sites, like Facebook.  Have people you trust check in on your house while you are away to bring in your mail and turn on the lights.  This will make it look like someone is still at home.  If you can’t, consider putting your lights on a timer. 

2. Make copies

Before you set off on your grand adventure, create a backup of your travel documents.  This includes any state issued identification card, such as a driver’s license, passport (if applicable), medical documents, any credit cards that you will be taking with you, and tickets or confirmations.  Leave one copy at home in a secure location and one copy with a trusted friend or relative.  Also leave a copy of your travel itinerary with someone who you will check in with during the trip.   

3. Take care of yourself

While you want to make the most of the time you have on vacation, don’t push yourself too far.  Of course, you want to sample the local sights and sounds, but you have to take care of yourself first.  Take all of your medications, hydrate throughout the day, even take a nap if you need it.  You won’t enjoy your vacation if you aren’t feeling your best.

4. And speaking of medications

Keep all prescription medicine in its original container.  Make sure all containers are clearly labeled and include some extra doses in case you are unexpectedly delayed.  Bring a copy of your prescriptions with you so if something happens you can get a refill.  And don’t pack your medications in checked luggage.  If your travel plans take you across multiple time zones, you may need to adjust when you take your medicine.  Talk to your doctor to see what precautions you might need to take. 

5. Dress for comfort

Comfortable, loose clothing will help to lower the risk of heat stroke, hypertension and high blood pressure.  And, it reduces the risk of blood clots if you are standing or sitting for long periods of time.  Also, consider wearing compression socks if you are going to be on a plane.  If you are going to be doing a lot of walking, wear flat, supportive shoes to help stay balanced and prevent falls. 

What are you waiting for?

If you are a homeowner age 60** or older and the only thing that is holding you back from pursuing your dreams of travel is lack of funds, you might want to consider a reverse mortgage.  A special type of home loan designed specifically for people who are in or approaching retirement, it allows you to turn some of the equity in your home into funds you can use as you choose and give yourself more financial freedom and flexibility. 

To learn more about reverse mortgages, get answers to any questions you might have, and find out if it might be a good option for you, call Reverse Mortgage Funding, LLC (RMF) at 888-277-1567 to speak with an experienced reverse mortgage specialist.  

This content is sponsored by RMF, one of the nation’s leading reverse mortgage lenders. We are dedicated to helping older Americans retire more freely, in the comfort of their own homes. As a result of our commitment to providing an extraordinary and positive customer experience, we have earned a 98% customer satisfaction rating;* a 5-star / Excellent score on Trustpilot; 4.8 out of 5 stars on LendingTree; and an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Call (888) 277-1567 to speak with a licensed reverse mortgage specialist to learn about our retirement financing products and solutions.

**Not applicable in all states; some states may impose a higher age requirement. Visit www.reversefunding.com/equity-elite for details.

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