Elderly travelers should ensure that they bring all medications and any other important documents. A portable health monitor or a blood pressure monitor may be useful depending on the age of the individual. These items will help them feel more confident on the road. Another great idea is to get photocopies of all of their important documents. They can ask their tour agent for help. 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. Traveling can be difficult for people with chronic conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes. Pre-travel counseling for this group can help them prepare for their travel.
Comorbidities
Comorbidities are major factors that can pose a serious threat to elderly travelers. Certain diseases can be more dangerous for the elderly due to these conditions. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases, chronic pulmonary illness, and other comorbidities are more common in older people. Comorbidities can increase the risk that an elderly person will die. In addition, longer hospital stays are common for older patients with these conditions.
Safety
Senior citizens should take safety precautions when they travel. Falls are the number one risk. 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. Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office gives information to older travelers to help them avoid these issues.
Pre-travel immunizations
Pre-travel immunizations are a must for older travelers. Immune system aging can have a negative impact on vaccine efficacy. It can cause a delayed or diminished immune response. Vaccines can also be adversely affected by aging.
YEL-AVD more likely to cause severe and fatal infection in elderly travelers
YEL-AVD, a severe disease similar to YF, is a serious illness. 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. 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 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. It is important that your elderly parent is happy to travel. You should avoid any activities that could make your parent feel anxious. You might find them disinterested in long-distance travel by plane or car. Another option is to let them take naps when necessary.