As a senior traveller, you will need to take some additional precautions during your travel, particularly if you have pre-existing medical conditions. Whether the reason for the trip is to visit family or grandchildren, a long-planned adventure to a foreign country, or even a cruise ship holiday experience, taking simple additional precautions will ensure you have a comfortable, memorable holiday.
We have put together a few travelling tips for the senior traveller to protect themselves and their belongings and to stay safe while they are away from home.
Senior travel tips:
We advise that you talk to your doctor and receive a full health check before your trip. Your full health check should include reviewing your medications and discussing any health concerns you have that may impact your travel.
Always ensure you have adequate supplies of your regular medications to take with you on the trip. It is beneficial to carry some extra medication supplies for any unexpected delays in returning home.
We recommend that you have your flu and pneumonia vaccinations before your trip, as well as required travel vaccinations.
Ask your doctor to provide you with a letter detailing your medical history, allergies and medication summary. It may be handy to carry any recent investigation results including ECG’s, particularly for senior travellers who suffer from heart problems.
Consider a visit to your other regular healthcare providers like your dentist and optometrist.
If you have diabetes, we advise that you have a plan made in consultation with your doctor on how to safely take your medications to fit the destination time zone.
We recommend discussing any dietary changes that may have an impact on your health from a specific medical condition while you are travelling. A visit to a dietician before you travel can help solve this issue.
Ensure you take frequent rests, keep yourself hydrated and avoid excessive strenuous activity.
Walk around whenever possible and exercise your lower legs as sitting for longer duration in cramped space such as in an aeroplane can increase your risk for deep venous thrombosis.
Pack comfortable clothing to suit the weather of the destination.
We recommend wearing footwear when using communal showers to decrease the risk of tinea and other infectious diseases.
Buy a travel insurance policy and make sure all pre-existing medical conditions are declared to avoid any inconvenience (to avoid out of pocket expenses from inadequate insurance policy coverage) in the unfortunate situation you become unwell while you are away from home.
Pack enough supplies of sunscreen (preferably SPF 50+ as ageing skin increases your risk for sunburn) and insect repellents.
If you can, buy luggage with built-in wheels so you can move them with minimal exhaustion to yourself.
Research and prepare a list of healthcare providers in the destination.
As a senior traveller, keep the following in mind for an enjoyable trip: stay well, be prepared and plan ahead.
Please consult your doctor for more comprehensive advice.
If you would like to receive more comprehensive senior travel advice from one of our doctors, call us on 03 9741 1200 or book an online appointment.
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