Umrah, the lesser pilgrimage, is a truly pleasing experience for Muslims worldwide. It involves performing a series of rituals in the holy city of Makkah, doing tawaf and sa’ee between the hills of Safa and Marwa. Muslims of all age groups, like adults and the elderly, desire to perform Umrah once in their lives. However, for senior citizens, it can be a bit tough because of the age factor and less stamina.
If you are an elderly person going for the holy journey or planning an Umrah trip for your parents, there are a lot of factors to consider such as weather, peak season, flights, hotels, meals and guide facilities. One excellent way to get rid of all such worries is to book Umrah Packages crafted specifically for senior citizens. If you want to plan the trip yourself, we are here to help you. This article mentions some essential tips that can help senior citizens plan and performing without any hassles.
Essential Tips to Help Senior Citizens Perform Umrah with Ease
Plan Ahead
Time has a key role to play in ensuring a smooth Umrah experience for the elders. The best times for them are off-peak seasons and cooler months. Avoid going in Ramadan or school holiday periods, as crowds are at their peak. Moreover, due to the intense heat and usually high temperature in KSA, performing Umrah rituals can be taxing for the elders.
So, try to go for Umrah in the winter or mild season when the temperature drops and it becomes a bit cooler. Hence, the ideal time to plan an Umrah for senior citizens is during November to February. Cool weather allows the pilgrims to walk and perform rituals without any hassle.
Select a Suitable Umrah Package
Consider booking all inclusive Umrah packages for the elderly, as they come with many perks like wheelchairs, easy transportation, and friendly accommodations. You must make sure that the hotels that you choose in these packages are near the Masjid al-Haram to minimise distance.
This will reduce transportation time and cost, and pilgrims will not feel tired during travelling. Moreover, some seniors prefer travelling in a group for extra support, so you can also avail yourself of that option.
Consult a Healthcare Professional
Before finalising your travel plans, it is necessary to consult with a doctor to ensure you are fit for travel. You must be open with your healthcare provider and discuss any existing medical condition, necessary medicines, and special diet or exercise you might need on the trip.
Moreover, obtain medical clearances and prescriptions to bring with you on the trip. It is important to address any potential health concerns in advance to ensure a smooth and fulfilling travel experience for the elders.
Travel Insurance
Since health concerns can arise without notice, it is important to get travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, hospitalisation procedures, and flight cancellations or delays. Having it ensures that you travel safely everywhere without disrupting your journey and worrying about anything.
Packing Essentials
Senior pilgrims should pack smartly for added comfort during Umrah. It is recommended to keep lightweight and breathable clothes and Ihram. Pack non-slip shoes and sandals to reduce foot fatigue during walking because you will have to walk a lot while performing Umrah rituals.
Moreover, keep a sufficient supply of medicines and doctor’s prescriptions in case you have to buy them during your journey. Elders must keep walking canes with them and can also ask for foldable wheelchairs to perform rituals smoothly. In addition, it is always wise to keep dry fruits, energy drinks, and water bottles to maintain your energy levels during Umrah.
Physical Strain Management
Umrah rituals require a lot of walking, which can become hard for elderly pilgrims. So, in order to reduce fatigue and manage physical strain, they can use wheelchairs or mobility scooters if needed. Many travel agencies allow pilgrims to customise Family Umrah Packages to add such facilities.
If they do not get such a package, they can ask the hotel officials to arrange one for them, as they are readily available for rent. Moreover, senior pilgrims must take breaks between tawaf and sa’ee so that they can catch their breath and complete other rituals easily without getting tired. As Haram is crowded, pilgrims can use the upper floors to perform tawaf where it is less crowded.
Do Not Overexert
You must perform the rituals at a slow pace to save your body’s energy. Keep your water bottle filled and take sips during breaks to stay hydrated and fresh. During Umrah, staff members are always on duty to help the senior pilgrims.
So you can ask for their assistance when needed. In a crux, pushing oneself beyond the physical limits can lead to health issues, so always listen to your body and avoid overexertion.
Common Challenges Faced by Senior Pilgrims and Ways to Overcome Them
Elderly pilgrims often face fatigue and jet lag on their Umrah trip that affects their whole journey later on. So, they must adjust their sleep schedule before departure and rest well upon their arrival before performing Umrah. In this way, they will regain their energy and remain fresh while performing Umrah rituals.
The weather of Saudi Arabia remains hot and harsh, and performing rituals can become hard under the blazing sun. So, pilgrims must wear a hat or use an umbrella to stay safe from heat strokes. Moreover, they should not stay outdoors when not needed and remain in the shade to avoid the afternoon heat.
Each year, a lot of Muslims go for Umrah, which makes Haram a crowded place to perform Umrah. Crowd management also becomes a huge task during this time. So, if an elderly person does Umrah with the crowd, then he must move with the flow of people to avoid getting pushed. Moreover, another way to manage large crowds is by doing tawaf in non-peak hours for a smooth experience.
Wrap Up
It is the wish of every senior citizen to perform Umrah, but due to the age factor and low energy levels, it becomes taxing for them. However, by planning the Umrah carefully and selecting the best tour operator, they can make things easier and smooth.
As far as the travel agency is concerned, elderly pilgrims can consult Muslims Holy Travel for all their Umrah needs. It is one of the best travel agency in the UK and offers top-notch Umrah packages for elderlies and families. Visit their website now to find out more about these incredible Umrah deals.
