Elderly travelers should make sure they pack all of their medications and other important documents. It is possible that they will also need a portable heart monitor and blood pressure monitor, depending on their age. They will feel more confident and at ease while on tour if they have these items. Another great idea is to get photocopies of all of their important documents. Ask the agent for assistance. They can have copies of the documents for peace of mind, and they may be useful in future litigation.
Pre-travel counseling
Elderly travelers may require additional pre-travel preparations because of certain health conditions. Travel can be made more difficult by chronic conditions such as diabetes or heart disease. This group may need pre-travel counseling in order to prepare for their journey.
Comorbidities
Older travelers could be exposed to major risks from comorbidities. These conditions can make elderly people more vulnerable to certain illnesses. Older people are more susceptible to developing atherosclerotic heart disease, chronic lung disease, and other complications. In addition, comorbidities increase the risk of mortality in elderly people, and older people with these conditions are more likely to experience hospital stays that are longer than those of younger people.
Safety
Senior travelers should always take precautions while traveling to ensure their safety. Falls are the number one risk. According to the World Health Organization falling is the second leading cause for accidental death. Older travellers should also be aware of the risk of pickpocketing and crime. 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 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.
Older travelers are more susceptible to severe and fatal infections by YEL-AVD
YEL–AVD is a severe infection that is very similar to the wild-type 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 was the year that the first cases were reported.
YEL-AVD
One study demonstrated a strong association between the risk from YF vaccinations and YEL/AVD for elderly travelers. A study of 239 people aged 60 and over in a clinic for travel found that 36.8% planned to travel to an area with endemic disease, while 23.0% had never 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, make sure that your elderly parent is happy to go on the trip. Avoid activities that can make your parent jittery. They might not enjoy long car rides or flying by air. Another tip is to allow them time to rest when they are tired.