Travel Health Tips for Seniors

While booking flights, planning road trips and packing bags, travelers of all ages should protect their health before reaching their travel destinations. However, senior travelers are encouraged to take a few extra steps prior to embarking on their trip

As the summer is spent mostly traveling and exploring new places, here are some of the way seniors can prepare for upcoming travel.

• Update your vaccinations. If you are traveling overseas, you may need certain vaccinations before you leave—in some cases months before you depart.
• Seek senior travelers’ insurance. Senior travelers with health problems should look into purchasing a senior travel insurance policy before traveling. Those who have travel insurance will get medical compensation if they fall ill during their travels.
• Pack appropriately. Some medications might not be available overseas, so seniors on medication should make sure they have enough medication to use throughout their entire trip. It is even more helpful to pack all necessary medications in your carry-on luggage to avoid loss or damage.
• Before you go, pick up your kit. Pick up your Kelsey Pharmacy travel medicine kit designed specifically for your travel destination.
• Carry a medical alert. Those who have allergies or unique medical problems should keep a medical alert card in their wallet or purse or wear a medical alert bracelet to let others know what medical conditions they tend to suffer from especially during emergencies.
• Avoid “suspicious” foods. While traveling abroad, be careful when you are eating food that is unfamiliar to you. If you are unsure about the effects of certain food on your health, the best thing to do is to eat something else.
• Drink plenty of bottled water. Senior travelers should also be aware that water in certain countries might not be safe for consumption. Drink boiled or bottled water throughout your trip to avoid dehydration.
• Guard against infection. Wash your hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer especially after eating or being in crowded areas.
• Rest and relaxation. Allow for one or two easy days to recover from jet lag. Don’t jam-pack your itinerary for everyday of your vacation—arrange for plenty of rest breaks, especially in hot weather.

For more information, consult with your local Kelsey-Seybold Travel Clinic or call 713-442-TRIP to schedule your Travel Medicine appointment.