Source: Larry West, About Senior Travel

Plan Ahead for a Safe and Stress-Free Adventure

It’s no surprise that more seniors are traveling than ever before. Many older adults enjoy the benefits of having more leisure time, plus good health and energy, which makes adults over 65 one of the fastest growing groups of travelers.

As an older traveler there’s no limit to what you can explore, but it’s helpful to keep some common-sense precautions in mind to ensure a safe and stress-free journey. Check out these senior travel tips from Cornell University before planning your next trip:

Before You Go

• Make an appointment with your doctor, discuss your travel plans, and get his or her approval. If you have a chronic medical problem, make sure it won’t get in your way.
  
  For example, if you have emphysema, you will be affected by high altitudes; if you have foot or leg problems, walking the hilly towns in Italy might be too much of a strain. Travel guides and the Internet offer a wealth of information about any destination you might choose, so do your research, gather what you have learned, and check in with your doctor.
• Are your shots up to date? When you check with your doctor about your itinerary, make sure you get any shots you may need. This is especially important if you are traveling to Mexico or overseas. Your doctor will have a list of required immunizations, or you can check with the Centers for Disease Control for a current list of recommended vaccinations for every region.
• Are your prescriptions up to date? Plan ahead. Determine how long you will be gone, and make sure you take enough medication to last throughout your trip. And carry all of your medication in its original containers; this will help answer any questions from customs and airport security personnel. As an extra precaution, ask your doctor to give you written prescriptions for refills on all of your medications, in case you lose something. It’s very difficult to get new prescriptions in foreign countries, so the extra time and expense you spend ahead of time could save hassles and health complications during the trip.
• Do you have a heart problem? Take a copy of your cardiogram. Cornell University stresses that cardiac problems can be difficult to diagnose without proper background information. If you become ill with symptoms that may or may not be heart related while you are traveling (including chest pain, nausea, or shortness of breath), having a reference cardiogram would be immensely helpful to a foreign doctor, and may be critical to proper care.
• Consider purchasing trip insurance, especially if you book your vacation in advance. Even if you don’t have a chronic medical condition, your health can change at any time. If you become too ill to travel, travel insurance that allows for cancellations or rescheduling can save you the cost of the trip.
• If you feel ill before traveling, see your doctor. Don’t gamble with your health. Even a small medical problem can have serious consequences if you are away from home. If you feel even slightly ill before traveling, make sure you get your doctor’s approval before you go.
• While flying, avoid alcohol and drink lots of water. Airline cabin air is very dry, and alcohol is dehydrating. So the combination of airline travel and alcohol can lay the foundation for health problems. In addition to making you uncomfortable, dehydration can cause confusion in older adults.
• During long trips, take time to stretch frequently. Whether you are flying, taking a train trip or driving, long periods of immobility can cause blood clots. Flex your ankles often, and stand up and walk around periodically to keep your blood circulating properly. If you are unable to get up, stretch in your seat and change positions.
• Know your limits. Make sure you allow enough time to see the sights and do the activities that are important to you, but don’t try to do and see everything in too short a time. Allow yourself the luxury of a relaxing vacation, with a good balance between activity and rest. Listen to your body and rest when you feel the need. You’ll enjoy the trip more if you feel good.
• Create a healthcare plan before you leave. Research the areas you plan to visit, and know where to find good medical help if you need it. In the United States, university medical centers and hospitals are good sources of referrals and treatment. When traveling outside the U.S. in areas where you don’t have family or friends, check with the nearest U.S. consulate or embassy for referrals to local medical practitioners. If you have a chronic medical condition and plan to be away for more than a couple of weeks, work with your doctor to get medical referrals in the areas you plan to visit.
• Check your health insurance for coverage outside your local area. Whether you have private medical insurance or Medicare, it’s important to know the limits of your coverage. For instance, Medicare does not pay for medical services outside the United States. Supplemental insurance, also called gap policies, will make up the difference and you can purchase short-term policies that cover the duration of your trip. The peace of mind you will have knowing your health care is covered will be worth the extra cost.
• Enjoy the adventure. If you follow these senior travel tips and plan well for your vacation, you can relax and focus on the food, the fun, and the sights you will see during your journey. Take photos and keep a travel journal so you can savour the memories once you get home.