Advice for the older traveller

Last updated: 01 November 2007

Medical

• Check with your doctor if you have a chronic health condition, such as heart disease, an immunosupressive illness, angina, high blood pressure, deep vein thrombosis (blood clot). Also seek advice if you have had recent surgery or a heart attack, or if you take regular medicines.
  
  
• If you have diabetes, ask your doctor about adjusting your insulin or medicine doses according to new time zones.
  
  
• Take an adequate supply of medications for the trip and a letter from your doctor that summarises your medical history, lists your medications, and includes information on how to contact your doctor.
  
  
• Carry medication in hand luggage for easy access.
  
  
• Get advice on vaccinations recommended for some countries. You can find useful information at the National Center of Infectious Diseases. Also, consider vaccination against pnuemoccocal disease and influenza prior to travel, and a tetanus/diphtheria vaccination if you haven't had one in the last ten years.
  
  
• If you are travelling to a destination where there is the risk of malaria, take anti-malarial medication as prescribed by your doctor, and take care to avoid mosquito bites. Wear long sleeves and trousers, sleep under a mosquito net, avoid venturing out when mosquitoes are most active (dawn and dusk), and use mosquito repellent that contains the chemical DEET.
  
  
• In hot climates, drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids, wear light loose fitting clothing and a broad-brimmed hat, and take adequate rest. If possible, book into accommodation with airconditioning, and have cool showers.

Insurance

• Do NOT travel without insurance. Be sure to notify the insurance company of any pre-existing conditions.

Food and water

• Be careful what you eat and drink! In some countries, it's wise to drink only water from sealed bottles or water that has been boiled or filtered.
  
  
• When you are eating fresh food in developing countries, make sure that you peel it yourself, or that it has been cooked and is still hot.
  
  
• Check with your GP, specialist travel medicine doctor and travel agent about these issues.
  
  
• Check the National Center for Infectious Diseases for information on Hepatitis.
  
  
• If you suffer with diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, see a doctor. Diarrhoea can stop your medicines from working. You may also need oral hydration preparations to assist in regaining lost fluids.
  
  
• Eat plenty of fruit to assist in hydration. This also helps prevent constipation. As a precaution, always peel the fruit yourself.

Flying comfort

• To avoid dehydration during the flight, drink lots of non-alcoholic and non-carbonated fluids, wear loose comfortable clothing, take frequent walks around the aeroplane to assist circulation.
  
  
• Only take medications that are recommended by your doctor.
  
  
• Ask your travel agent about tour operators who cater for the older traveller's specific needs, eg. assistance with luggage, extended rest periods if required.