Seniors - 8 Tips for Safe Travel This Summer

Where are you headed this summer? Some of the most popular destinations for seniors this year include wild Alaska, European river cruises, sun and sand in the Caribbean, and big waves, sandy beaches and plenty of coconuts and pineapple in Hawaii.

Or maybe you’re staying closer to home, taking the train, or planning shorter extended weekend trips. Either way, it’s important to stay safe when you’re traveling. View our travel safety tips for seniors:

1.If you’re traveling overseas

Find out if you need to update your vaccines well in advance. Some vaccines may need to be updated six weeks before you go. Check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about vaccines and overseas travel.

2. Talk to your doctor

If you’re going out of state, or out of the country, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor, especially if you have a medical condition or take medications. Consider scheduling a routine check-up and ask questions like when to take medications in another time zone, and any food that you don’t normally eat that could interfere with your medications.

3. Prevent deep-vein thrombosis

It’s a painful and dangerous condition that can develop from sitting for long periods of time. And older adults have a higher risk of deep-vein thrombosis than younger people. Standing up and walking around periodically can help. So can compression socks. If you’re concerned about this, talk to your doctor before your trip.

4. Write down details about your medications

If you are taking medications, write down the names of the drugs, how much you take, how often, and what condition you’re taking them for. You’ll likely need this information if you’re traveling overseas and pass through customs. And if you lose your medication, you’ll have a list of what you need.

5.Store medications in original containers

That prescription bottle isn’t just to help the pharmacy keep track of customers. It’s another way to keep your medications organized, and let others know what medications you’re taking.

6. Carry critical medications with you

If you depend on medications for a specific health condition, keep it with you. If your luggage gets lost or delayed in transit, you won’t have to worry about your next dose.

7. Stay hydrated

Tight quarters in the cabin of an airplane isn’t the only discomfort you might experience while traveling by air. Air inside a plane is also typically dry, leaving you feeling thirsty and susceptible to germs and infection. Staying hydrated is a great way to combat this.

8. Wash your hands often

Nobody wants to get sick on vacation. And nobody wants to come home from a memorable trip, only to be hit with a flu or virus. But when you’re traveling, you’re going to be exposed to a lot more germs than usual. Your best defense is to wash your hands often with soap and water. If that’s not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer or wipes.

If you’ll be staying at while on vacation, or just don’t want to cook anything when you get back, stock up on our Senior-Friendly meals made from fresh ingredients, and we’ll take care of the rest.