IELTS General Reading: Travel for the Elderly

Travel for the Elderly: Whether you’re going abroad or staying in the UK, follow these simple tips so you can relax on your holiday. We spoke to Emma O’Boyle from TripAdvisor and Gill Williams, editorial head of greentravelguides.tv.

A. When to travel You can save money by booking a holiday out of season, or booking well in advance. Emma O’Boyle recommends, ‘Taking a holiday during ‘shoulder periods’ can be a good way of saving money. Shoulder periods are the months either side of peak season. You can avoid the uncomfortably hot weather, crowds and high prices, yet still enjoy some beautiful temperatures.’

B. Guidebooks Buying a guide book on where you’re going will give you loads of helpful information on what sights to see, the best and cheapest places to eat, local transport and much more. O’Boyle suggests ‘Ask friends for recommendations or use the internet to find a hotel that matches your criteria. You can find honest reviews online from travelers in your age bracket, looking for the same type of holiday, meaning you’re far less likely to end up at a hotel full of rowdy teenagers. Choosing a hotel is very personal and what one person likes another may hate so don’t always rely on the hotel’s own description.’

C. Research Using the internet to check what the weather’s like before you leave means you can avoid taking things you dont need. ‘Don’t over pack. Go online before you travel to check local weather forecasts and conditions and pack appropriate clothing and footwear.’ Gill Williams suggests.

D. Copy documents Photocopy your passport and other important documents in case the original gets lost or stolen and remember to take details of your travel insurance policy with you. You can find a travel insurance broker from the British Insurance Brokers’ Association.

E. Inform family It’s a good idea to give close family or friends a list of your travel plans and any contact details, in case of emergency.

F. Save space A great way to save space is to take two or three items and roll them up tightly. Try putting socks into shoes to save space and keep the shoes shape.

G. Luggage Check restrictions with the airport before travelling to see what you can and can’t take in your hand luggage - now most liquids have to be packed in a clear container. Pack anything you’ll need in your hand luggage like a book, travel game or medicine, ‘If you are flying, always carry essential medication in your carry-on hand luggage rather than the hold – just in case the flight is delayed or the airline loses your suitcases.’ Says Williams.

H. Long flights Let the airline know if you have any specific needs like a vegetarian or kosher meal. You may want to ask for an aisle seat so you can get up easily when you want. ‘Let your airline know well in advance if you need assistance at airports,’ advises Williams. ‘Corridors can be long - up to 20 minutes walk at many international airports.’

I. Be active On longer flights it’s important to have good circulation to reduce the risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), which is caused when poor circulation results in blood clots.

How to improve circulation while flying: Walk up and down the aisle every hour Point and flex your toes while sitting down Rotate your ankles clockwise and anticlockwise Wear compression socks Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water ‘On a long flight, be sure to wear support anti-DVT socks. You’d be amazed how many airline pilots wear them secretly!’ – Gill Williams

TOPIC: Community Survey 1)Most people are satisfied with their local area as a place to live, feel that they belong there, and believe that people in their community get on well with each other, survey results show. 2)The figures suggest that people feel a positive connection to their local area - a strong foundation on which the Big Society can develop. 3)The gap between the number of people who feel able to influence local decisions and those who think it's important to be able to (37 per cent and 73 per cent respectively) provides a good indication of the appetite in people for greater participation. 4)Measures in the Localism Bill will devolve power to local communities and make it easier for people to get involved in civic participation and volunteering. 5)Communities Minister Andrew Stunell said: "For the Big Society to work well, it's important that people get on with one another, feel some kind of attachment to the area in which they live and are involved in the decisions that affect them. 6)"The figures out today suggest that, while there is an appetite for getting involved, there are lots of people out there who want to do something but either don't know how or feel they can't. 7)"We want this to change. The measures in the Localism Bill and our drive to bust bureaucratic barriers will help to close this gap. Our actions will help create active, engaged communities, where the local people who know what's best for an area are trusted and equipped to get on with it and aren't held back by needless obstacles." 8)The Localism Bill contains a radical package of reforms that will devolve greater power and freedoms to neighbourhoods, establish powerful new rights for communities, revolutionise the planning system, and give communities control over housing decisions.These reforms will give individuals and community groups the freedom and tools to improve their local areas to build their vision of the Big Society. 9)Today's findings, based on interviews conducted between April and September last year, show that more people than in recent years believe their area is improving and fewer are worried about being a victim of crime.