Elderly travelers should ensure that they bring all medications and any other important documents. You may want to bring a portable monitor for your health and a monitor for blood pressure, depending on how old you are. Having these items on hand will allow them to feel more confident while on tour. A good idea is to get photocopies copies of any important documents. They can ask their tour agent for help. A copy of their itinerary will give them security and help in future litigation.
Pre-travel counseling
Some health conditions may make it more difficult for elderly travelers to prepare properly before traveling. For example, chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes can make traveling more difficult. These people can get pre-travel counseling that will help them prepare for travel.
Comorbidities
The most serious danger to elderly travelers is the presence of co-morbidities. These conditions can make it more difficult for seniors to get certain diseases. As an example, people over 50 are more likely to have atherosclerotic cardiac disease, chronic pulmonary diseases, or other comorbidities. In addition, the risk of death in older people is increased by comorbidities. Older people with these conditions are more likely have longer stays in hospital than their peers.
Safety
Senior travelers should always take precautions while traveling to ensure their safety. Falling is one of the greatest dangers. According to the World Health Organization falling is the second leading cause for accidental death. Older travellers need to be aware that there is a risk of pickpocketing or other criminal activity. In addition to safety measures, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office provides information to help older travelers avoid these problems.
Pre-travel immunizations
Pre-travel vaccinations are recommended for seniors traveling. Immune system aging can impact vaccine efficacy. This can lead to a diminished or delayed immune response. There are also more chances of developing adverse reactions to vaccines as a result of aging.
More likely to infect elderly travelers with YEL AVD
YELAVD is an extremely serious disease that is closely related to YF. It is an infection caused by a virus that multiplies in the body and affects multiple organs, resulting in multiorgan failure and even death. 2001 saw the first case of this illness.
YEL-AVD
One study concluded that elderly travelers are at greater risk for YEL-AVD and YF immunizations. An analysis of 239 older travellers found that 36.8% were planning to travel in an endemic zone, and 23.0% had visited the area for the first-time without being immunized. One patient was unable or unwilling to take the YF vaccine.
Tips for planning a trip with an elderly parent
While planning a trip to visit an elderly parent can seem daunting, there are tips that can help. First, make sure that your elderly parent is happy to go on the trip. If you can, try to avoid activities that will cause your parent to get jittery. They might not enjoy long car rides or flying by air. Another tip is to allow them to nap when needed.