Staying Safe While You're Away
If travelling is on your bucket list, don’t let age or illness stop you. However, before you jet off around the world, here are some travel tips to consider: Pre-trip planning for seniors
Consult with your travel agent for suggestions. For example, many tour operators specialise in accommodating the needs of travelling seniors.
Find out about the medical facilities in the areas you will be visiting.
Research important factors such as climate, language and culture.
Make arrangements for wheelchairs, guide dogs and seating needs well in advance.
Organise travel insurance with pre-existing illness cover if needed.
If you are concerned about your health, arrange to go on a package tour.
See your doctor for a complete check-up, particularly if you have a chronic medical condition.
If you are taking large amounts of medication with you, then you will need to take a letter of explanation from your doctor.
Pre-trip medical check-ups for seniors
Consult with your doctor for a complete medical check-up. This is especially important if you have coronary heart disease, hypertension or any other chronic condition, or if you have recently undergone surgery or experienced a heart attack.
Discuss any particular health concerns you may have, such as dietary changes and the possible impact of different eating habits on your specific condition.
People with diabetes will need medical advice on how to safely stagger their medications to fit a different time zone.
Consider having your flu and pneumonia vaccinations before you go on your trip.
If you intend travelling to areas where infectious diseases are present, make sure you are fully vaccinated.
Visit your dentist for a check-up.
Visit any other healthcare providers you consult with on a regular basis, such as your optometrist.
Regular medications for seniors
Some medications that are legal in Australia may be prohibited overseas. Contact the Australian embassies in the countries you intend visiting to check.
Take enough regular medication with you to last the entire trip. Some drugs may not be available overseas.
You should obtain a written and signed note from your doctor detailing the prescribed medications you are taking with you.
If you are taking over-the-counter medication with you, then you should ask your doctor to add these to the list of prescribed medications.
If you buy medications overseas, remember that the dosages may be different to the brands you are familiar with.
If the medication you regularly take requires syringes (such as insulin-dependent diabetes), take enough syringes to last the trip.
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.
When overseas, wear a medical alert pendant in case of emergency and for quick access to your medical details to inform others of your medical complaint in case you need urgent help.
Taking care of yourself while on holidays
Allow an easy day or two to recover from jet lag. Remember that the effects of jet lag may be lessened if you fly west instead of east.
If you are unsure of the water supply, drink bottled water.
Don’t buy food from street vendors.
Don't draw up a jam-packed itinerary for each and every day of your holiday – arrange for plenty of rest breaks, particularly in hot weather.
Wear thongs in communal showers to reduce the risk of infectious diseases.
Pack condoms and practice safe sex.
Seniors cards may get you a cheaper entry ticket and museums and other attractions.
Travellers' diarrhoea may reduce the effectiveness of your medications. Consult with a doctor if you have diarrhoea for more than one day. Your Australian embassy can provide you with a list of doctors.
Safety suggestions for travelling seniors
Thieves and pickpockets may consider older people as easy targets. Suggestions include:
Don't travel around at night.
Don't wear expensive jewellery on obvious display.
Wear valuables (such as traveller'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.
Carry with you at all times the contact details of the Australian embassy. If your city doesn't have an Australian embassy, find out which other country's embassy is available to help you, such as the British embassy.
Where to get help
Your doctor, travel agent, airline, Australian embassy, Medicare Tel. 132 011
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/travel-tips-for-seniors
Get your FREE ‘Top 50 Travel Tips for Seniors’ booklet from Australian Seniors Insurance Agency call 131343 or visit their website www.seniors.com.au
