3 Best Travel Ideas for Older Travelers and Their Companions

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FirstLight Home Care of Colorado Springs

Posted on

Dec 07, 2021

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Colorado - Colorado Springs

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Seniors are some of the biggest travelers out there. The idea that as you get older you should slow down and take it easy has been comprehensively debunked.
Traveling more, further and to new and exciting locations is the number one aspiration for people over the age of 50. And its not hard to understand why! Seniors tend to have more time on their hands, more disposable income, and the drive to discover the world having worked hard their whole lives.

Travel can also be hugely beneficial for seniors. Medical studies show that travel is great for older folks, helping with heart disease, brain function, and preventing depression and other mental issues.
Traveling with a companion is a superb way to see the world, make new friends and enjoy the well-earned leisure time that a life of dedication to a career brings. But the question remains: where to go?
These days there arent many barriers to traveling anywhere for older people, but some destinations and travel plans do have their advantages. Here we offer three ideas that are perfect for older travelers and their companions, to make it even easier to plan to pack your bags and explore the wide world!

Take a cruise
A cruise is a classic vacation choice for seniors and with good reason! The combination of comfort, convenience, and adventure that a trip on a cruise ship offers is absolutely perfect for older people and their traveling companions.
When it comes to destinations, the world is your oyster! Cozumel is a beautiful cruise destination, allowing you to discover the gorgeous and magical Mexican Riviera Maya as well as enjoy a Caribbean island. Alaska offers wide-open skies and stunning scenery, while cruises to Singapore, Hong Kong, or the Philippines offer the chance to discover the excitement and mystery of the Far East.

Explore national parks
Americas stunning National Parks area great choice for adventurous seniors, offering excitement, beautiful landscapes, and wonderful wildlife everywhere you turn.
While hiking up to the summit of Half Dome in Yosemite might be a little ambitious, there are adventures to be had for all ages and physical abilities throughout the U.S. National Park system, including ranger-led hikes and amazing scenic drives. And dont forget, anyone over 62 can get a National Park Service Lifetime Pass for just $80, opening up the great outdoors in an entirely new way!

Get cultural in Europe
Europes cultural highlights should be on everyones bucket list, and a grand tour of the exquisite capital cities and extraordinary sights that the Old World has to offer is a real treat.
One of the finest and most convenient ways for older people and their companions to see the best that Europe has to offer isby boat, along the network of grand rivers which crisscross the continent. Float down the Danube, the Rhine and the Rhone, and discover history, culture and the grandest of architecture on an amazing European exploration.

FirstLight Home Care provides travel companion services for seniors and other loved ones. Our travel companions will be with your loved one every step of the way, providing support for them and peace of mind for you, helping through every leg of the journey.

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Medicare Coverage When Traveling or Moving

One of the things many people look forward to in retirement is the opportunity to travel. Visiting new places, seeing new things. However, no one wants to think about needing medical care while traveling. Its important to review your Medicare plans travel rules long before you ever need help. Understanding Medicares travel rules can save your dream vacation from becoming a nightmare.Different plans = different rulesEvery Medicare plan has its own rules. You will want to review your own coverage restrictions before planning a trip, especially if planning an international trip. Rules can change depending on where you travel so read carefully.Traveling within the United StatesWhen traveling within the United States, you will have Medicare coverage throughout the nation. But what counts as the U.S. is a little different than just the 50 states, youre used to thinking about. United States Medicare coverage includes all 50 states plus territories and U.S. waters. That means that your Medicare coverage will count in Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands as part of the U.S.Traveling with Original MedicareIf you have Original Medicare, Part A and Part B, you can travel anywhere within the U.S. and have Medicare coverage anywhere that accepts Medicare. Outside the U.S., your coverage is limited. There are a few exceptions:Emergency services in Canada: If youre going between Alaska and another state, your travel route is direct and without unreasonable delay, and the closest hospital that can treat you is in Canada, you may have coverage for those services.Medical care on a cruise ship: If the ship is in U.S. territorial waters when you receive care or within 6 hours of your departure or arrival from port, then your Medicare will cover those services. Beyond that, coverage gets murky.Nonemergency inpatient services (under Part A): If the foreign hospital is closer to your home residence than the nearest U.S. hospital, then coverage may occur.Traveling with Part D Prescription Drug PlansPart D Prescription Drug Plan coverage depends on where you are intending to travel. Medicare drug plans don't cover prescription drugs purchased outside the U.S. Within the U.S., your coverage will be limited based on whether you have a carrier network. If you have a network, you will need to find a pharmacy that is in your network. Most insurance carriers have an online tool to help you search for an in-network pharmacy within a ZIP code.Traveling with Medicare AdvantageMedicare Advantage coverage while traveling depends on your plan. Some Medicare Advantage plans may cover medical emergencies outside the U.S. If you have or are considering a Medicare Advantage plan and are planning to travel outside the country, please verify with your carrier that they cover emergency care.Within the U.S., plan networks might be an issue as well; although it is worth noting that, regardless of your plan, all plans are legally required to cover emergency care if it occurs within the U.S.International plans? Get travelers insuranceMany Medicare users can benefit from purchasing travelers insurance when traveling outside the country, especially if youre taking a longer trip. This will guarantee health coverage if/when you need it and give you peace of mind. For those who have scheduled with a travel agency, they will often have suggestions of good travelers insurance plans for the country youre visiting. If not, we would be happy to help you find an option that fits your travel plans.Long-term travel and movingLong-term travelIf you are traveling outside the U.S. for more than 6 months, you will automatically be disenrolled from your current Medicare Advantage plan and given a Special Enrollment Period to choose a new coverage plan.MovingWhether you are moving inside or outside the U.S., you should contact a licensed insurance agent to verify your coverage. Medicare Advantage plans and Part D plans are location-based and you may need to change plans before you move.ConclusionTraveling can be a lot of fun. Your insurance should not be a reason to avoid or delay your travel plans. But just like you make sure your passport is up to date, you should check in on your Medicare coverage long before you need it.If you are traveling and have Medicare questions or are planning on moving, call to set up a free consultation with one of our licensed insurance agents. We are happy to answer your questions to help you get ready for your big trip.PlanEnroll is a brand operated by Integrity Marketing Group, LLC and used by its affiliated licensed insurance agencies that are certified to sell Medicare products. PlanEnroll is not endorsed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) or any other government agency.

Trump's Changes to Medicaid

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Protecting Seniors from Phishing Scams

This chilling scene from The Beekeeper is a dramatic yet realistic example of a type of phishing scam directed at seniors: Eloise, a retired schoolteacher, is on her computer looking over charity accounts that she manages when a virus warning pops up. She calls the provided number, which unknowingly to her connects to a call center operated by a phishing scam operation.The call center rep portrays a support desk tech and during his conversation with Eloise, he lies about the source of the virus warning. She falls into his trap by installing fake antivirus software, which links to all the charity accounts. The connected malware drains over $2 million from the charities Eloise runs. She realizes too late what has happened and is left in despair.Among the fastest-growing cybercrimes targeting seniors today are phishing or smishing scams. In phishing/smishing scams, criminals send fake messages to trick seniors into giving away personal information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or even one-time passwords (OTP) for account verification.Why are seniors often preferred targets for these scams, and how can they stay protected? 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Always contact your bank directly using the phone number from your card or statement if you suspect an issue.Delivery ScamsScammers will send messages claiming that you have a package waiting for delivery, but they need additional information to process it.Example  UPS: We tried to deliver your package but need additional information. Please provide it here: www.fakedelivery.com.These messages are often designed to capture your personal information or steal credit card details. Always check with the delivery service directly through their official app or website.Fake Tech Support ScamsScammers impersonate tech support from well-known companies, claiming that your device has been compromised.Example:   Microsoft: Your device has been infected with malware. Click here to install antivirus software immediately.Legitimate tech support will never contact you this way. These scams aim to trick you into downloading malicious software that can steal personal data.Government or Tax ScamsScammers impersonate government agencies like the IRS, warning about unpaid taxes or offering refunds in an attempt to steal personal information.Example  IRS: You have an overdue payment of $1,500. Please pay immediately to avoid legal action.Government agencies will never ask for personal information or payments via text. Contact the agency directly if youre ever unsure.How to Report a Phishing/Smishing ScamIf you or a loved one encounters a suspicious text message, its important to report it to help stop the scammer from targeting others.Heres what you can do:Forward the Scam TextIn the U.S., you can forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM). 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Firstlight Home Care

Staffing-Medical Services 4445 Northpark Drive, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80907

At FirstLightHome Care, you get to do something that matters. Something that makes a real difference.FirstLight Home Care hires Caregivers, Home Health Aides, CNAs, Care Coordinators, Companion Care and Personal Care Assistants who have integrity, a great capacity for compassion and empathy, and who value a rewarding career. We look for individuals who can help make everyday activities easier for our clients, and who have a genuine desire to enrich the lives of others and make the world a better place!Do you love helping people? Are you a caring, compassionate, active senior, parent, student, or friend? Looking for part or full time work? If so, we want to meet you! Call us today!

FirstLight Home Care of Colorado Springs

Non-Medical 4445 Northpark Drive, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80907

We are a veteran owned business serving the community of Colorado Springs and it's surrounding areas with Extraordinary People who provide Exceptional Care. You, too, can benefit from the same peace of mind our customers receive, knowing youre in the safe hands of our highly trained at-home caregivers who provide their dedication, time and expertise, as well as our excellent additional services.