Choose an appropriate travel companion : 

A travel companion plays a major role in hassle-free travel. Make sure your travel companion is a person with whom you're comfortable, it could be someone from your family or friends. Travelling with someone not only makes your travel easy but will also make it worth remembering. Travelling has always been a stress buster for many and travelling with someone you're comfortable with can make you more beautiful. Often seniors hesitate to ask for help, be it a family or friend. Therefore take care of someone you know you better can help in that case. Travelling with family is always the right option as it keeps them stress-free and also ensures the safety of the loved ones.

Select an appropriate travel time of the day:

Always make sure you choose the proper travel time of the day. Seniors might find it difficult to travel on night trains. Late-night trains might not be the right choice as seniors would have a habit of sleeping early, therefore it might affect their sleep cycle. Early morning trains are also not advisable as seniors who take medications might find it hard to wake up early. Booking a mid-morning train would be the right option. As it's worry-free, having a quick breakfast at home and taking the train after that would make the travel easier. 

3.  Book your tickets under railway concession for seniors:  

Railway concessions are applicable to senior citizens over the age of 60 ( for males ) and 58 ( for females). The concession applicable is around 40% (for males ) and 50% for women. There is no age proof needed at the time of reservation, however, an age proof needs to be carried during the time of travel and has to be shown when the ticket collecting staff demands it. At the time of reservation (computerised ), there is a specific allotment for lower berths for senior citizens. However, each coach has specific allocated lower berths for senior citizens and physically challenged which can also be provided on demand to the ticket collector at the time of travel.

4. Use the available assistance offered by railways:

Wheelchair assistance is available in stations that can be used for seniors who have mobility issues.  Which will be offered on payment to the local coolies. This option is highly preferable for seniors over the age of 60, as it might reduce the strain in walking much distance.

Battery operated vehicles are also available in stations for senior citizens and physically challenged people. Choosing this might also reduce the strain in carrying hand luggage as well as limits the time spent on searching for the reserved coach.

5. Carry your medication without fail:  

Carrying the required medication is highly important. Make sure that the senior is aware of where the medicine is, as in times of emergency it might help them. Remember to keep it easily accessible mostly in the hand luggage rather than packing it with the clothes. Always carry extra medications which are used in times of emergency without fail. Make sure you have enough dosages available as we might not know whether it will be available in the place we travel. Also, carry the doctors prescription which will be useful in times of emergency.

6. Carry the basic requirements:  

Homemade Food: Even Though a lot of trains provide food during the trip. Taking homemade food is the right option. As many seniors might have food restrictions due to their health conditions. Some seniors might not consume oily foods, some might be recommended to take foods with less salt. Importantly taking home-cooked food might not cause any issues at the time of travel.

Carrying sleep essentials: Carrying inflatable pillows and enough bedsheets to keep them warm is essential. Most of the train services do not provide any sleeping essential (except for the AC coaches). Seniors might need necessary sleep essentials to keep them warm enough for a good sleep.

Safety locks: Trains are a place where we might not know who is entering. Therefore  Securing the luggage with safety locks or chains is the best option to ensure safety.

Hygiene essentials: At times like this pandemic, carrying masks and sanitisers is highly essential. 

The above-discussed points are the basic requirements that need to previously be planned for hassle-free train travel. Hope this valuable information was useful to you. Let us know your valuable feedback.

Catch Phrase: “We travel not to escape life, but life not to escape us.”  Here is some valuable information on how to plan hassle-free travel with seniors. Read on to know more.

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Keywords: Travel, seniors, train, travel companion, emergency, sleep.