Just because you are older doesn’t mean you don’t travel – quite the opposite. Seniors are one of the largest groups that vacation every year. A great way to stay in a town or beach community is through cottages for rent. As you age, there are more things to keep in mind that would make your stay enjoyable or difficult. Its important to talk to the rental agency or owner to make sure that you can stay in comfort and ease.
If you have mobility issues, ask if the cottages for rent include many staircases, flights of stairs or uneven walkways. At beach houses in particular, there are often several flights of stairs so that the house is raised off the ground and safe from flooding. One flight of stairs might not be difficult, but three or four flights are not uncommon and can be a big strain if you have to walk them several times a day for a week or more. If you look for a place further from the water, you can usually find a home with one flight – or less. There is no need to strain your body or cause injury for a vacation.
You should also find out what accommodations are available in the bathrooms for the cottages for rent. If you require grab bars in the shower or next to the toilet, make sure you talk to the rental agency or owner to inquire about these. While not extremely common, there are still homes and cottages that will have those sorts of accommodations. There are even bathrooms that might have detachable shower heads and seats for those who cannot stand in the shower.
Inquire about parking and whether there is a garage or drive attached to the home. This might be a necessity for you, but it is also just a nice way to ensure that you do not have to walk far to get to your legally parked car. Parking is usually an issue in a beach town, so make sure that you have the proper parking ability to minimize your walking.
Finally, inquire about phone service. Many places don’t even have phones any more, as more and more people are equipped with their own cell phones. If you do not have a cell phone and the home does not have a phone line, this can be a big problem if there are any accidents or medical emergencies. Make sure that the home is equipped for the emergency that you never expect to happen.