Elderly travellers should ensure they have their medications and all other documents. It is possible that they will also need a portable heart monitor and blood pressure monitor, depending on their age. These items will make them more comfortable while they are on vacation. Another option is to make photocopies all their important documents. They can ask their tour agent for help. They will be able to refer back to the originals in case of future litigation.
Pre-travel counseling
Because of certain conditions, elder travelers may need to make additional preparations prior to travel. Chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, for example, can make travel more difficult. This group can benefit from pre-travel counseling.
Comorbidities
The most serious danger to elderly travelers is the presence of co-morbidities. These conditions can make elderly people more vulnerable to certain illnesses. 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 travelers need to take precautions when traveling to ensure their safety. Falls are the number one risk. According to the World Health Organization, falling is the second leading cause of accidental death. Older travellers need to be aware that there is a risk of pickpocketing or other criminal activity. Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office gives information to older travelers to help them avoid these issues.
Pre-travel immunizations
It is a good idea to get pre-travel immunizations for elderly travelers. Immune system aging can impact vaccine efficacy. This can lead to a diminished or delayed immune response. A vaccine's adverse effect risk is also increased by the aging process.
Older travelers are more susceptible to severe and fatal infections by YEL-AVD
YEL - AVD is a severe form of the wild-type disease, 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 concluded that elderly travelers are at greater risk for YEL-AVD and YF immunizations. In a study of 239 travelers aged 60+, a clinic found that 36.8% intended to travel to an endemic region and 23.0% hadn't been immunized. One of them had a contraindication for the YF vaccination.
Tips to plan a trip for an elderly parent
Planning a trip with an elderly parent can be challenging, but there are several tips you can follow to ensure that the trip goes as smoothly as possible. The first is to make sure that your senior parent is excited about the trip. Avoid activities that can make your parent jittery. They may also be unable to travel long distances by airplane or car. You might also consider allowing them to take a nap when they need.