Tag Archives for Pawtucket City Councilor

A snapshot of older travelers, and travel tips

Published in RINewsToday on March 10, 2025

Larry Tetreault, 78, and wife Diane, 72, don’t spend their days sitting in rocking chairs on their porch in Narragansett.  For over 20 years, the former educators have traveled quite a bit, mostly taking international trips,” says Larry. These trips, usually to warmer climates (Bahamas, Bermuda, and Aruba), “put a spring in our steps,” he notes.

“Oftentimes we travel to upper New York state to visit old friends,” he says, noting that sometimes their son, his wife, and the grandkids,come along, too.

After a lifetime of work, the Narragansett residents (formerly from Pawtucket) admit that they enjoy their traveling. “It helps us to relax, and it makes life a whole lot more enjoyable,” says Larry, a former Pawtucket City Councilor. “We’re making the most of the time we have left by doing things that we enjoy, like travelling” he adds.

Next week, the Tetreaults are planning to travel to Aruba for a two-week stay. “It’s a beautiful place to visit, well-managed, clean,  literally little crime, and great weather,” notes Larry.  

Like the Tetreaults, older Americans are beginning to make their travel plans this year.  Last week, AARP released 2025 Travel Trends research revealing a significant rise in the percentage of adults aged 50 and older who plan to travel, from 2024 (65%) to 2025 (70%), reflecting an upward trend beyond pre-pandemic levels. 

The study also highlights a growing preference for domestic air travel in 2025 – up from 38% in 2024 to 46% this year, surpassing traveling by personal vehicle, now at 43%, down from 49% in 2024. Contributing factors for this decrease appears to be the declining COVID concerns and reduced inflationary stress, says the report.   

Travel is Back in Full Swing for Older Adults 

The 44-page report, 2025 Travel Trends: A Survey of U.S. Adults Age 50-Plus,  examines the travel behaviors, expectations, and planning among adults – this year with a sample size of 2,970 respondents.  

“We are delighted to see that travel is back in full swing for older adults,” said Patty David, Vice President of Consumer Insights for AARP in a March 6 statement announcing the study’s release. “Spending time with family and friends is a primary motivator for adults 50 and older to travel. And it’s no surprise what benefits travel provides to older adults: Almost all respondents indicated that travel is good for their mental (95%) and physical (85%) health,” she says.

According to the AARP study’s findings, more than half (56%) of respondents said spending time with family or friends was a top motivator for travel. Like the Tetreaults, many also see travel as an opportunity to escape daily routines or focus on rest and relaxation and to rejuvenate. 

Last year, the study found that adults 50 and older took more trips than anticipated for the first time – the highest in four years. While older adults anticipated taking 3.6 trips on average, they actually took 3.9 trips on average. Adults 50-plus remain conservative in their anticipated number of trips in 2025 – about 3.6 on average, note the findings.

Though planned trips are on the rise, cost remains the main barrier to travel in 2025. Total anticipated spending, however, remains steady year over year at approximately $6,800, on average, the findings say.

AARP’s Travel Trends survey also found that in 2025 the top domestic destinations are Florida (15%), California (11%), Las Vegas (6%), New York (6%), Texas (6%) and Arizona (4%).  Where’s Rhode Island?????

Meanwhile, AARP’s Travel study findings indicate that while the older respondents anticipated taking family trips, summer trips and weekend getaways domestically, the top motivators for taking an international trip was tied to being on a person’s bucket list (22%) and family or multi-generational trips (11%).  

The researchers found that anticipation of international trips has increased from 37% in 2024 to 45% in 2025, though this still remains below pre-pandemic levels of 52%.

As to getting help for planning their trips about 40% of adult travelers expressed interested in taking an organized group trip, with a guided travel tour, of greatest interest (25%). While most older travelers are not currently aware of curated trips (60%), once learning about this, 55% express interest in having a personalized itinerary for them.

Like many of the older respondents, Tetreault’s wife does the planning for their trips “She finds information online by just cruising the internet,” he admitted that “booking a trip can be a breeze,” too.  

As to planning your trip, AARP’s survey of U.S. Adults Age 50-Plus, found that getting assistance from Artificial Intelligence (AI) planning is slow to take hold.  Although ninety-eight percent are aware of AI, only 1 in 10 (8%) say that they use it for planning purposes.  However, the researchers noted that for those who did use AI, about 94% say that using it was helpful in planning their trip. 

Tips for Older International Travelers

“Travel Smart. Travel Safe. Travel Well,” reads a handout for older travelers posted on the U.S Department of State’s (DOS) website, www.travel.state.gov.  DOS, a federal agency that manages the United States’s foreign affairs, provides the following information for older travelers to review while making your international travel plans.  

DOS recommends that older travelers learn as much about their vacation designation(s)  as they can before their departures.  Do you need to get a visa, or vaccinations? Can you take your meds into the country? Both are important questions to answer.

At least three months before your trip, DOS suggests that you check your passport’s expiration date and entry requirement for your foreign designations on your trip itinerary.  Always review cancellation policies, too. It just might be prudent to consider purchasing travel and luggage insurance, says the handout, noting that many credit card, travel or tourism companies offer this protection for an additional fee. 

Before you leave, always leave a copy of your passport and travel itinerary with a family member or friend.

According to DOS, it is prudent for older travelers to know that Medicare doesn’t cover healthcare oversees. So, do your research and identify companies that offer short-term health and emergency assistance policies to cover overseas health expenses that include emergency medical and dental services, including medical evacuations.

DOS’s travel.state.gov/destination page provides details as to any health checks or vaccinations for the country you are visiting.  Schedule an appointment with your physician six to eight weeks before your trip to get your required vaccinations.  Also, identify any environmental conditions that may exacerbate your health (attitude, pollution, humidity, etc.).

Before leaving, make sure you pack ample supply of your prescription medications, suggests DOS’s handout.  Always discuss any time zone differences with your physician to make adjustments to your medication schedule both on the way out and your return home.  Always keep your medication in their original, labeled containers.  In case of a refill in a foreign country, always know the generic name of your medications.  The embassy or consulate of the country you are visiting can tell you if your prescribed medications are not considered illegal substances under the local laws.

DOS also recommends that if you have mobility issues or use a wheelchair, make sure you determine what the hotel’s access and accommodations are for swimming pools, public facilities, restaurants, bars, bathrooms, etc.

Most important, don’t forget to learn about the currency rate of the country you are visiting. Inform your bank or credit card company that you are traveling overseas so they do not freeze your account.  Ask them if they have international banking partners where you can safely deposit or make withdraws as needed. Bring travelers check or one or two major credit cards if ATM services are not available.

Staying Connected with Family and Friends

DOS suggests that you care emergency contact information during your overseas trip. Consider completing the emergency contact section in your passport.  Give your family and friends the contact information for the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in the country you are visiting. Investigate to see if your cellular plans offer international calling or texting packages that you can purchase to use in case of an emergency. 

Finally, DOS notes that one way to maintain emergency contact information is to enroll with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).  By enrolling, your information will be securely stored, and this enables the DOS, U.S. embassies, or consulates to contact you, your family or friends, in an emergency.

Travel, a valuable resource for Americans 50-plus, who spend over $236 billion annually in leisure travel, provides expert travel advice, the latest news and travel insights.  AARP.org/travel has a wealth of articles available to anyone on vacation ideas, travel tips, and destinations to make travel simple. 

To view the full 2025 survey results, visit https://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/research/topics/social-leisure/travel/2025-travel-trends.doi.10.26419-2fres.00882.001.pdf.

To review DOS’s Special Consideration for Older Travelers, go to https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations/info-older-travelers.html.

To view the National Council on Aging’s Safety Travel Tips for Older Adults, go to https://www.ncoa.org/article/safe-travel-tips-for-older-adults/.

AARP Research Study Explores Why People Are Happy

Published September 14, 2012, Pawtucket Times

           “Good conversation, meeting new people while traveling, and being in good health” brings much happiness to long-time Pawtucket resident Jean Babiec.  The former Providence school teacher, in her eighth decade, added she would be ‘extremely happy’ if the Rhode Island General Assembly passed legislation, signed by Governor Lincoln Chafee, to create a Pawtucket Red Sox vanity license plate.

           At-Large Pawtucket City Councilor, Lorenzo C. Tetreault, 65, is “the happiest when he can help others.”  The retired Pawtucket teacher is also happy when he holds his one-year old twin grandsons from Narragansett, Samuel and Benjamin, in his arms.

           Former Pawtucket Tax Assessor, Dave Quinn, 64, who now oversees the Tax Office in the City of Providence, finds happiness “knowing that his family is healthy and his children are doing well.”  The Seekonk resident also feels happy by being intellectually challenged by his job.

           Babiec, Tetreault and Quinn’s statements on what makes them happy are reflected by others documented in a recently released AARP study on what happiness means to aging baby boomers.  The findings of this report indicate that relationships and being in control of your health and life are key factors in bringing happiness into your life.  

Defining Happiness

            The new AARP study, titled “Beyond Happiness: Thriving,” found that most Americans age 35 and over are happy, but compared to historical General Social Survey (GSS) data, levels of happiness are on the decline and at their lowest levels (due in part to the nation’s economic downturn).  In an effort to explore what happiness means to aging baby boomers and what it takes to thrive as they age, over 4,000 adults age 35 and over were surveyed to determine what makes them happy.   

             “We’re always looking to get a more robust understanding of the contributors and barriers to happiness in people’s lives,” said Steve Cone, Executive Vice President of Integrated Value Strategy, AARP. “Building on previous AARP research, which shows the importance of happiness and peace of mind to aging baby boomers, these new results affirm that we are on the right track—advocating to ensure basic health and financial security and making available everyday discounts that let people enjoy time with family and friends.”  

             According to researchers, the findings of this study reveal the existence of a U-shape curve of happiness by age. The early 50s is the lowest point from which happiness builds. Thus, if you missed happiness in your 30’s, there is still another chance to achieve it in your 60’s.

             The Researchers note that as people age and eventually retire, they can devote more time to building relationships and just enjoying simple everyday pleasures.  Younger people are still working hard to solidify their accomplishments.

           The AARP study’s results also provide four key insights around the drivers of happiness.

The Happiness Spectrum

            Overall, the strong majority (68%) of respondents say they are happy, although intensity of happiness is somewhat tempered as the largest percent report being somewhat happy (49%) versus very happy (19%). Almost half of those surveyed feel they are just as happy as others (49%) and the rest tend to believe that they are happier than others (31%) as opposed to less happy than others (13%). Part of this may be attributed to the perceptions of people being the masters of their own happiness destiny.

            More interesting, the respondents were concern for the happiness of the next generation. Less than half feel they will be as happy or more (45%). Most are either not sure (19%) or believe they will be less happy (35%).

Relationships Key to Happiness 

           The AARP survey findings also indicate that regardless of your age, good relationships with friends, family, and even pets, were found to be universally important. Activities associated with those relationships contributed most to a person’s happiness. The most significant activity was kissing or hugging someone you love.  Other activities included: watching your children grandchildren or close relative succeed; being told you are a person who can be trusted or relied upon; spending time with your family or friends such as a meal or social gathering; and finally, experiencing a special moment with a child. 

            Researchers say that relationships with family pets were especially important to women, singles and older individuals.  However, relationships did have to be real: “connecting with friends or family on a social media site like Facebook” came in 37th out of 38 activities in contributing to happiness. Importantly, none of the top contributors require a lot of money to achieve; they are “simple pleasures” that can be had by all.

 Good Health Linked to Happiness 

          Without good health, it is far more difficult to achieve happiness: people in “good or excellent” health are three times more likely to report being “very” happy, the researchers say.  However, one’s health may be more a state of mind than objective reality.  The findings noted that the percentage of those reporting good health is relatively stable over the ages 35 to 80, varying only seven percentage points, even as reported chronic or serious medical conditions increase 400% in the same age range. 

Calling the Shots, Brings Happiness

          The majority of those surveyed feel they have control over their personal level of happiness. Interestingly, this sense of control increases with age. Moreover, people who feel in control are clearly happier—reporting that they are 2.5 times happier than those who believe happiness is out of their control. The study’s findings indicate that a sense of control is linked to higher income, higher education, good health and the lack of having experienced a major life event in the past year.

Money Does Not Always Guarantee Happiness

            While many will say having money can bring happiness, this research study showed that it seems that how one spends it seems to matter more.  Happiness increases with income and conversely, lack of financial resources was tied to unhappiness. While less than a third of participants said money contributed to happiness, when asked how they would spend $100 on something to increase happiness, most respondents said they would spend it on their family or going out to dinner. Money is only a resource, that when applied to meaningful areas of one’s life, can provide experiences that can increase happiness.

         Herb Weiss is a Pawtucket-based freelance writer who covers aging, health care and medical issues.  He can be reached at hweissri@aol.com.