Elderly travelers should make sure they pack all of their medications and other important documents. You may want to bring a portable monitor for your health and a monitor for blood pressure, depending on how old you are. These items will help them feel more confident on the road. You can also get photocopies for all important documents. They can ask their tour agent for help. A copy of their itinerary will give them security and help in future litigation.
Pre-travel counseling
Due to certain medical conditions, elderly travelers might need additional preparations before they travel. Travel can be made more difficult by chronic conditions such as diabetes or heart disease. This group can benefit from pre-travel counseling.
Comorbidities
Senior travelers can be at risk from serious complications. Certain diseases can be more dangerous for the elderly due to these conditions. Senior citizens are more likely than others to develop chronic pulmonary disease and atherosclerotic cardio disease. Additionally, older people are more at risk for death from comorbidities. This means that they are more likely than younger people to spend longer hospital stays.
Safety
Senior citizens should take safety precautions when they travel. Falls are among the most serious dangers. According to World Health Organization (WHO), falls are the 2nd leading cause of accidental death. Older travelers should be aware of the dangers 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
It is a good idea to get pre-travel immunizations for elderly travelers. Immune system aging may affect vaccine efficacy and lead to a reduced 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 that spreads via a virus and can cause multi-organ failure or 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. The study of 239 travellers aged 60 years and older in a travel clinic found that 36.8% had planned to travel to an endemic area, and 23.0% had traveled to the area for the first time without getting immunization. One patient was unable or unwilling to take the YF vaccine.
Tips for traveling with an elderly parent
While planning a trip to visit an elderly parent can seem daunting, there are tips that can help. The first is to make sure that your senior parent is excited about the trip. Try to avoid activities that might make your parent nervous. They might also not enjoy traveling long distances by car or airplane. You might also consider allowing them to take a nap when they need.