Courtesy of WellMed and Optum
Travel is good for us at any age. Exploring new destinations improves brain function and boosts mental health. Connecting with people is essential to our overall well-being. And even a simple change of scenery can ease stress and bring calm.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), older adults planning to travel should make an appointment with their healthcare provider at least four to six weeks before they leave. Your physician can help you get destination-specific vaccines, medicines, and other travel safety information.
Discussing your health concerns, itinerary, and planned activities with your provider allows them to give more specific advice and recommendations on health issues that can include blood clots, jet lag, motion sickness, norovirus, and respiratory diseases.
Whether it's a stateside trip, a cruise, or a long, international journey, you can avoid extra risks by following sage advice.
Plan for your health needs
Before any trip, schedule a visit with your health care provider, especially when traveling internationally or taking an extended vacation. Your doctor may recommend specific vaccinations or adjust your medication regimen, especially when crossing time zones. Be sure to bring enough medication for the entire trip, plus additional doses in case of unanticipated travel delays.
Pack a travel health kit with prescriptions and over-the-counter medications. While it is recommended that travelers keep medications in the original containers, it is permissible to use a pill organizer to help avoid missing doses. Pill boxes, or cases, typically have separate compartments for different days or times, making it easier to manage medication schedules. Whether you keep medications in the original bottles or choose to travel with a pill organizer, avoid storing medications in your checked luggage, as baggage may get lost while traveling. Always keep medication in your possession.
Experts at WellMed and Optum say exploring unfamiliar places is exciting and can take us out of our normal routine. Setting an alarm helps to remind travelers to take their medications on time.
There are times when you cannot return to your lodging location for several hours, so before leaving your hotel room or a cruise ship for a day of exploration, ask yourself if you have everything you need.
- Do you need to take your medication before leaving the hotel? Is there any medication that you need to take with you?
- Do you have your list of medications and emergency contact information with you?
- Do you have a small emergency kit with band-aids, hand sanitizer, face masks, antibiotic ointment and alcohol wipes?
Plan ahead to address potential health or safety challenges
In the event of an emergency, it is important to maintain health records, emergency contacts and travel insurance information. Create a list to include current medical diagnoses, all medications and dosages, allergies, recent or scheduled procedures, your doctor’s contact information, along with an emergency contact. Be sure to always carry a copy of this information with you, even in your daily explorations. It is also important to share this information with a travel companion or emergency contact.
Protect yourself from accidents
Safety is a priority whether you’re on a road trip or a plane ride. If you drive, plan your route carefully and take breaks to avoid fatigue. When flying, older travelers may consider priority boarding to avoid the rush and long lines during general boarding.
Choose accommodation wisely. If mobility is an issue, ensure the hotel offers shuttle buses and accessible features such as elevators and ground-floor rooms. This will ensure you are comfortable and safe during your stay. It may also be wise to arrange, in advance, for a walker or motorized scooter for older adults with stamina or mobility concerns.
Wear comfortable, conditioned walking shoes. You will easily walk five to ten miles a day while vacationing. Even spending a few hours exploring a museum can cause some foot and joint discomfort when wearing shoes with little to no support. To avoid foot pain and trip hazards that some turf and terrain present, make durability and arch support your top priority when selecting travel shoes.
Stay hydrated and eat smart
Proper hydration is crucial to maintaining energy levels and to avoid dehydration, especially in airplanes where the air can be very dry. Keep a large water bottle nearby and drink water regularly, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
Use common sense and caution when it comes to food options while traveling. Avoid street food that may not be prepared under sanitary conditions. Stick to hot, cooked meals and bottled water to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses. If you have dietary restrictions, keep healthy snacks like nuts or protein bars readily available.
Prevent illness with good hygiene
During busy travel seasons, crowds in airports, train stations and other public places increase the risk of illness. To protect yourself, practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands frequently or using an alcohol-based sanitizer. Wearing a mask in crowded spaces is also important to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses such as the flu or COVID-19.
Keep moving to prevent clots
Long periods of sitting during flights or bus rides can increase your risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which occurs when blood clots form, usually in the legs. To prevent DVT, wear compression stockings and take breaks to walk around and stretch your legs.
Prioritize your mental health
Travel can be tiring, but it’s also an opportunity to relax and connect with loved ones. Build time into your schedule for rest and relaxation and practice stress management techniques such as meditation or deep breathing. Prioritizing your mental health is just as important as staying physically healthy.
Prepare early
One of the biggest mistakes travelers make is not allowing ample time to pack. Don’t make this mistake. Start gathering what you need early.
Better yet, a week prior to your travel date, take time to prepare a checklist of the items you will need. Writing a checklist in advance helps you remember important items and items you may need to purchase for the trip. Use your checklist to begin packing a few days before you plan to depart. A checklist also helps you avoid overpacking – keeping luggage within weight requirements, easy to manage and leaves room for great finds while traveling.
Traveling is a terrific opportunity to connect with loved ones, experience new environments and enjoy yourself. By following these tips, you can ensure a safe, healthy and memorable trip.
Sources:
Health in Aging Foundation. (2019). Safe travel tips for older adults. Retrieved from https://www.healthinaging.org/tools-and-tips/tip-sheet-safe-travel-tips-older-adults
American Heart Association. (2024). Healthy travel. Retrieved from https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/mental-health-and-wellbeing/healthy-travel
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Clean hands. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/about/index.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Travelers' health. Retrieved from https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/dvt
MedicareSupplement. (n.d.). Senior health and safety travel checklist. Retrieved from https://www.medicaresupplement.com/content/travel-safety-guide/