Travel Wise: Tips for Seniors

 

As the leaves have gone and the temperatures begin to fall, we are swiftly reminded that winter is just around the corner!  Many of you have already begun to plan your travels to a much warmer destination.  Whether you’ve set your sites on a tropical getaway to an all inclusive resort or you intend sipping margaritas and soaking up the sun on a Florida beach for 6 months, there are some important considerations for senior travellers no matter how far you travel or how long you intend to stay there. All travellers should plan any travel carefully to ensure their health and safety while away, however older travellers have a few extra concerns.

Pre-Trip Planning

You can never be too organized before you leave.  Pre-trip planning is essential in making sure you have everything covered from special accommodation needs, medical facilities, making arrangements for wheelchairs or preferred seating.  Make sure you arrange travel insurance with pre-existing illness coverage if needed and be sure to research important factors such as climate, language and culture. Buy a guide book and read it before you go.  If you are concerned about your health, don’t let it restrict you, arrange to go on a package tour.

It’s wise to also consult with your doctor for a check-up before you travel, especially if you have a chronic health condition e.g coronary heart disease, hypertension or if you’ve recently undergone surgery.  Ask your doctor how to minimize the risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) when sitting for long periods of time and discuss any vaccinations or shots you might need before you travel, particularly if you are travelling to areas where infectious diseases are present.

The Public Health Agency of Canada Website has lots of useful information for travellers, www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/info/care-soin-eng.php    Service Canada also provides useful travel information for seniors on passports, Diplomatic and Consular services and the recently introduced NEXUS program  www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/audiences/seniors/travel.shtml

If you are taking large amounts of medication with you, it’s wise to take a letter of explanation from your doctor.

Your Luggage

Make sure you take a small bag that contains everything you will need for the duration of your travels whether it’s in a plane, train, car or boat.   Include a medical kit with your regular medications, painkillers, antacids and band-aids.   It might be a good idea to take along a pillbox with compartments for different days of the week. Being away from home (and your usual routine) could make you more likely to forget to take your medication. You might also pack a spare pair of glasses, and try to use a suitcase with wheels to make travel easier.

Take care of yourself

Don’t risk becoming ill when you’re on holidays.  Taking a few simple precautions will allow you to relax and enjoy yourself.  For example, if you are unsure of the water supply, drink bottled water.   To reduce the risk of food poisoning, avoid food buffets, seafood, undercooked meats, peeled and raw fruits and vegetables, and unpasteurized dairy products. If you do become ill with travelers' diarrhea, it may reduce the effectiveness of your medications. Consult with a doctor if you have diarrhea for more than one day.

Make sure to arrange for plenty of rest breaks, particularly in hot weather. Wear flip flops in communal showers to reduce the risk of infectious diseases (like warts and tinea). And, even though Seniors cards are only supposed to offer benefits within your home province, flashing the card at museums and other attractions may get you a cheaper entry ticket.

Safety Suggestions

Thieves and pickpockets may consider older people as easy targets.  Reduce your risk and don't travel around at night. Don't wear expensive jewelry on obvious display.  Wear valuables (such as traveler’s cheques and credit cards) on a belt worn under the clothes and next to the skin.

Consider carrying a 'dummy' wallet holding a small amount of cash. If you are directly confronted by a mugger, you can hand over the dummy wallet and avoid further distress. Make sure you carry with you at all times the contact details of the Canadian embassy. If your city doesn't have a Canadian embassy, find out which other country's embassy is available to help you, such as the British embassy.

Finally, make sure your passport is current. Some countries will not permit you to enter or give you a visa if your passport's remaining validity is less than 6 months.

Have your affairs at home in order

Leave an up-to-date will, insurance documents, and a power of attorney with your family, so you can feel secure about traveling and are prepared for any emergency that may occur while you are away. Before departing, provide your family or friends with a copy of your proposed itinerary and keep them informed of your travel plans should they change or in case they need to contact you in an emergency. Carry with you appropriate photo identification and the name of a family member or friend to contact in case of an emergency.

As a senior, you have a great opportunity to travel and visit foreign countries you might not have had the time to visit before.

As travelling may prove to be stressful, it is important to plan ahead carefully, so that you spend a healthy, relaxing and enjoyable trip.