Elderly travellers should ensure they have their medications and all other documents. They may want to bring a portable blood pressure monitor and a health monitor depending on their age. Having these items on hand will allow them to feel more confident while on tour. A great idea is to take photocopies of important documents. They can ask the tour agent to help them with this. The copies they have will provide them with peace of mind and could prove useful in any future litigation.
Pre-travel counseling
Certain health conditions can make travel more challenging for seniors. Traveling can be difficult for people with chronic conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes. This group may need pre-travel counseling in order to prepare for their journey.
Comorbidities
Comorbidities are major factors that can pose a serious threat to elderly travelers. Certain diseases can be more dangerous for the elderly due to these conditions. For example, older people are more likely to develop atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, chronic pulmonary disease, and 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 need to take precautions when traveling to ensure their safety. Falls are the number one risk. According to World Health Organization (WHO), falls are the 2nd leading cause of accidental death. Pickpocketing and other crimes are also a concern for older travellers. Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has information to assist older travelers in avoiding these problems.
Pre-travel immunizations
Pre-travel vaccinations should be considered for older travelers. Immune system age can affect vaccine efficacy, and may cause a decreased or delayed immune response. The risk of adverse side effects from vaccines increases with age.
YEL-AVD more likely to cause severe and fatal infection in elderly travelers
YEL-AVD, a severe disease similar to YF, is a serious illness. This is caused by a virus which spreads throughout the body, eventually causing multiorgan failure and 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. In a study of 239 travelers aged 60+, a clinic found that 36.8% intended to travel to an endemic region and 23.0% hadn't been immunized. One of them had a contraindication for the YF vaccination.
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, ensure that your elderly loved one is happy to take the trip. Avoid activities that can make your parent jittery. They may not like long trips by car or plane. Another tip is to allow them time to rest when they are tired.