Info on

International Travel

15 August 2024

Embarking on trips and journeys abroad during older age is a beneficial activity, however, to make them successful and enjoyable, it is important to ensure advance planning and attention to details in order to prevent any mishaps and to ensure the necessary protection throughout the trip.

How to plan a healthy trip

While planning the trip

During your vacation

  • Ensure a supply of your regular medications, and make sure you take a sufficient quantity to last for the entire duration of your vacation.
  • Take a first-aid kit and adjust it to your destination.
  • During the flight, it is important to periodically stand up and walk around, especially on long flights. It is also recommended to wear comfortable clothing, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, and avoid consuming alcohol.

When you return

  • Upon returning from your vacation, it is important to inform your family doctor about any illness you experienced and the treatment you received.

Embarking on trips abroad is a beneficial activity. It is advisable to plan your trip according to your dreams, your wishes, and your needs, which are also associated with your medical condition and your age. When preparing for a trip, establish the itinerary, the route, the social dynamics (whether you travel alone, with your spouse, with friends or on an organized trip), and outline the sites and attractions to visit at your destination. Similarly, it is recommended to incorporate considerations regarding your medical condition when planning your trip.

How to plan a healthy trip

For a relaxed start to your journey, it is advisable to take several steps before buying your flight ticket and making hotel reservations. Going on a trip abroad, whether it's a short flight away or a distant location on another continent, can involve potential health risks that can be mitigated or reduced through proper planning.

 

Contact your family physician who knows you. Inform your doctor about your travel destination and the duration of your trip (weekend, one week, one month, etc.). Consult with them regarding any pre-existing medical conditions, necessary examinations, prescriptions, or any required documentation.

In medical conditions that require a specific medical expertise (such as dialysis treatment), it is important to verify whether your intended destination has the necessary medical systems, including a healthcare workforce and comprehensive medical services,

Additionally, regardless of your medical condition, it is crucial to have appropriate medical insurance.

It is important to ensure well in advance that you have received the necessary vaccinations recommended for your chosen destination. It is essential to plan ahead and take the vaccinations prior to your trip, as there are some vaccinations with delayed effectiveness, and those requiring multiple doses with intervals between each dose.

Furthermore, securing an appointment for the vaccine can sometimes take time. An advanced and well-organized itinerary will provide you with the necessary precautions for your protection and assure you the peace of mind to travel confidently. Additionally, it is important to verify the effectiveness of vaccinations received in the past, such as tetanus, that remain valid for several years. If their potency has diminished, it is important to renew them to ensure continued protection.

Information on vaccinations for those travelling abroad

Before boarding your flight, it is important to buy an adequate supply of your routine medications to last the whole trip. Occasionally, when traveling to certain destinations with lengthy flights, it may be necessary to take an additional dose of medication during the flight. Pay attention to the medication instructions and make sure to obtain an ample supply well in advance. If certain medications require refrigeration, you can carry them in a picnic cooler. You should be aware that passengers are responsible for carrying their own medications during a flight, and this responsibility does not fall on the airline or flight company.

Organizing your journey, as well as the first-aid kit you carry, should be tailored to your destination. In addition to basic medications such as painkillers and band-aids (which you are allowed to carry according to your medical condition), it is essential to add medications that suit your destination. For instance, when traveling to a tropical destination or a country with low sanitation standards, the risk of encountering diseases, infections, or inflammations is heightened. Therefore, it is essential to be attentive to details such as the quality of drinking water and food. Additionally, it is advisable to include in your first-aid kit medications that can effectively address various infections.

Recommendations for the flight focus on convenience and the prevention of Deep Vein Thrombosis. To prevent this phenomenon, as well as dehydration, you should wear convenient clothes, refrain from drinking alcohol, and drink plenty of water, according to your medical condition.

During lengthy flights, it is recommended to walk around in the airplane and, when seated, refrain from sitting cross-legged.

Many companies organize trips to destinations suitable for older adults. Some of the organized trips are accompanied by paramedics carrying a suitable inventory of emergency medical supplies and first aid equipment. Additionally, the trip organizers ensure continuous communication with medical teams around the clock, including mapping out the trip to ensure easy accessibility to nearby clinics and hospitals if needed. If you are uncertain about an organized trip, you can check this option while considering that such a trip may entail significantly higher expenses compared to planning and organizing your own trip.

In the unfortunate event of falling ill during your trip, it is important to inform your family doctor upon your return. This will allow them to provide you with the necessary guidelines and arrange for follow-up care according to your medical condition, including chronic diseases, etc.