Elderly travelers need to ensure that they have all necessary documents and medications with them. Depending on their age, they may also want to bring a portable health monitor and a blood pressure monitor. These items will help them feel more confident on the road. Another option is to make photocopies all their important documents. They can ask their tour agent for help. The copies they have will provide them with peace of mind and could prove useful in any future litigation.
Pre-travel counseling
Due to certain medical conditions, elderly travelers might need additional preparations before they travel. Chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, for example, can make travel more difficult. Pre-travel counseling for this group can help them prepare for their travel.
Comorbidities
Elderly travelers may be vulnerable to serious health problems if they have multiple conditions. These conditions can make it more difficult for seniors to get certain diseases. For example, older people are more likely to develop atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, chronic pulmonary disease, and other comorbidities. Comorbidities can increase the risk that an elderly person will die. In addition, longer hospital stays are common for older patients with these conditions.
Safety
Senior travelers need to take precautions when 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 travelers need to be aware of potential pickpocketing as well as crime. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office offers information that will help older travellers avoid these problems in addition to safety precautions.
Pre-travel immunizations
Pre-travel vaccinations should be considered for older travelers. Immune system aging affects vaccine efficacy and can lead to delayed or decreased immune response. Vaccines can also be adversely affected by aging.
Senior travelers are more likely to contract severe and fatal complications from YELAVD
YEL–AVD is a severe infection that is very similar to the wild-type YF. 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 revealed a strong connection between the risk of YF vaccine and YEL/AVD in older travelers. Study of 239 elderly travellers in a travel clinic revealed that 36.8% had plans to travel into an endemic area and 23.0% had not been immunized. One of them had a contraindication for the YF vaccination.
Tips to plan a trip for an elderly parent
It can be difficult to plan a trip for an elderly parent. However, there are some tips that you can use to make the trip go as smoothly as possible. First, make sure that your elderly parent is happy to go on the trip. Avoid activities that can make your parent jittery. They may also be unable to travel long distances by airplane or car. Another tip is to allow them time to rest when they are tired.