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Anyone travel to Europe after age 74 with mobility issues?

Posted by artmatters @artmatters, Sep 16, 2023

I’m finally expecting two great grandchildren by the end of this year. I would like to see them and the rest of the family sometime next year when I should be able to catch both babies in Spain. I’m 74 now and have mobility issues from a recent fall, which I haven’t mentioned to the European side of the family, not wanting to distract the two grandchildren who need to focus on parenting.
Does anyone have experience or tips on the best way to manage such a trip? Especially flights and connections.
I’m inclined to find a rural hotel that can sleep all of us as the twenty of us do in the United States. Opinions? My dear family will have plenty of them, so I’d like to start here!

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jmb73 | @jmb73 | Sep 18, 2023

Thank you all for your help. We have decided to take a "turnaround" cruise that will allow us to leave our luggage on board and hopefully be able to take some excursions to the home sites in Ireland and Italy. Plus if I am not feeling well, I can stay on board. We fly back so is there any airline that you have found to be handicapped friendly. I do use a wheelchair at the airport and use a rollator but the docs think I have an infection in my new hip so that might cause a problem with the trip. Does anyone know how long it takes to recover from an infection in your hip?
Thanks for all the help and really good information.

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davej | @davej | Sep 20, 2023

My apologies in advance for this note. I read some of the feedback and had a painful memory come back. Ex mother in law had family in Luxembourg she always wanted to go visit them. Money, time, kids something always got in the way. I'm not sure how old she was as I got divorced, but I heard she decided to go visit relatives. Bought ticket, planned then had a terrible stroke confined to a nursing home where you couldnt walk or talk or take care of herself. Trip now was to be canceled. She waited all those years and then in a second that dream got smashed. MORAL of story do it sooner than later if you wait you might not make it. If a trip is what you want to do make it a learning experience this is a great place to start. If you have any issues maybe this trip will help you to work on those issues. Good Luck in your travels Dave

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1 reply
artmatters | @artmatters | Sep 20, 2023
In reply to @davej "My apologies in advance for this note. I read some of the feedback and had a..." + (show)
@davej

My apologies in advance for this note. I read some of the feedback and had a painful memory come back. Ex mother in law had family in Luxembourg she always wanted to go visit them. Money, time, kids something always got in the way. I'm not sure how old she was as I got divorced, but I heard she decided to go visit relatives. Bought ticket, planned then had a terrible stroke confined to a nursing home where you couldnt walk or talk or take care of herself. Trip now was to be canceled. She waited all those years and then in a second that dream got smashed. MORAL of story do it sooner than later if you wait you might not make it. If a trip is what you want to do make it a learning experience this is a great place to start. If you have any issues maybe this trip will help you to work on those issues. Good Luck in your travels Dave

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Thanks, that’s significant. I do tend to be mindful that each day is a gift.

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1 reply
aquinas1947 | @aquinas1947 | Sep 20, 2023
In reply to @artmatters "Thanks, that’s significant. I do tend to be mindful that each day is a gift." + (show)
@artmatters

Thanks, that’s significant. I do tend to be mindful that each day is a gift.

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Any general advice for pensioners aged 76 ?

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2 replies
artmatters | @artmatters | Sep 20, 2023
In reply to @aquinas1947 "Any general advice for pensioners aged 76 ?" + (show)
@aquinas1947

Any general advice for pensioners aged 76 ?

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If you’re referring to attitude, mindfulness and longevity, I am at a point where I consider that whatever lies ahead will be an adventure worthy of exploring, be it on this plane or another. I do sometimes worry that I might not have all my ducks in a row to make it easier on my loved ones. But then I realize that that’s never going to happen, no matter how much I try to change my habits! It does make a difference that my survivors are no longer dependent on me.

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Sep 20, 2023
In reply to @aquinas1947 "Any general advice for pensioners aged 76 ?" + (show)
@aquinas1947

Any general advice for pensioners aged 76 ?

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@aquinas1947 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You might find several discussions worth looking at in our "Aging Well" support group.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/aging-well/
Is there something in particular you are looking for tips on?
Ginger

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