Travel for seniors can be enjoyable and enriching, and the benefits go far beyond fun. Seniors Guide looks at a recent roundtable discussion praising the effects of travel on longevity and dementia.
Travel and the activities associated with it can enable healthy longevity, stated a March 2025 roundtable report from the Global Coalition on Aging (GCOA) and the nonprofit Transamerica Institute, an organization devoted to research and education about retirement security.
The roundtable featured experts on aging, travel, and neuropsychology. It touted the benefits of travel for seniors, though its primary message was to industry stakeholders, encouraging them to make travel even more accessible for older adults, as a win/win proposition.
And the roundtable’s takeaways for seniors and their loved ones and companions were clear and positive.
“Regular travel has been shown to reduce mortality risk by 36.6% and lower Alzheimer’s risk by up to 47% through culturally enriching activities like museum visits, attending live music performances, and exploring historical landmarks,” the roundtable report stated.
The report cited a connection between travel and improved brain health, cardiovascular well-being, and vitality. Similarly, it said, travel helps to combat the challenges of loneliness and social isolation.
“Travel embodies many of the modifiable factors that promote health,” said Paul Nussbaum. A contributor to the roundtable, Nussbaum is a clinical neuropsychologist and adjunct professor of Neurological Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. “It exposes us to new cultures, languages, and problem-solving opportunities – all enriching experiences that contribute to our overall well-being.”
The roundtable discussion also noted the benefits and increased popularity of intergenerational travel. Logically, multigenerational vacations may be more active than trips focusing only on older adults. In addition, spending time with people of other generations benefits young and old alike, as they exchange knowledge, broaden each other’s perspectives, and explore rich topics.
“Intergenerational travel creates meaningful opportunities for connection and understanding across generations,” says Catherine Collinson, roundtable participant and president of Transamerica Institute. “It fosters shared experiences that strengthen family bonds, promote emotional well-being, and create lasting memories – all of which contribute to healthier aging.”
Multigenerational Travel in Switzerland
Another travel trend that can benefit travelers is traveling with a purpose, such as serving as a volunteer, supporting environmental conservation, learning something new, or experiencing cultural immersion. In addition to providing a sense of purpose, these experiences build community, provide social bonds, and combat loneliness.
The discussion emphasized the benefits of these findings for stakeholders such as policymakers, health care leaders, and the travel industry. It also encouraged them to use the findings to make travel more accessible for senior adults.
“Public-private collaborations are essential to unlocking the full potential of travel as a catalyst for healthy aging. By combining resources, expertise, and vision, we can create opportunities for older adults to thrive, improve well-being, and drive economic growth in ways no single entity could achieve alone,” said Collinson.
“Travel should encourage meaningful, intergenerational interaction, enabling older persons both as travelers and as members of communities to engage in mutual cultural exchange and solidarity,” said roundtable participant Amal Abou Rafeh, aging program leader for the U.N.
For senior adults and their loved ones, the report serves as a reminder to be active! Travel can provide a catalyst for these benefits, but seniors whose budgets can’t support travel can find similar opportunities within their own communities. Museums, concerts, theatre, and other activities are often easily accessible, many times with free options, and intergenerational activities are not constrained by geography.
Travel for seniors and the activities and connections associated with it can enrich life and add joy and meaning.
View more options for travel for seniors at Boomer Magazine and here at Seniors Guide