Tips for Travelling as You Get Older

More and more older Australians are boarding planes and cruise ships to explore the world. In fact, now, over 65s is the fastest growing age group travelling overseas.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed that the number of people aged 65 to 74 holidaying overseas increased by over 80% in the last five years. One of the main reasons for this is the increasing availability of cruises, which give older adults the opportunity to see different parts of the world at a slower pace. In addition, ‘soft adventures’ like visits to see the Northern Lights, are becoming more popular for older travellers looking to tick off things on their bucket list.

Known for doing thing their own way and not being held back by the limitations defined by previous generations, Baby Boomers show no signs of slowing down as they get older. They want to see the world and experience as much as possible while they still can and travelling has become extremely important to many. Travel can be an even more rewarding and beneficial experience for older adults, however, like many other things in life, as we age there are more things to consider before packing our bags and getting on a plane. The following considerations may come in useful when you are planning your next trip overseas

1. Medical Considerations

Travel can take its toll on the body, so before going away it can be useful to see your doctor for a medical check-up. This is particularly important if you have a pre-existing condition or have recently undergone surgery. Speaking with a doctor, you can discuss any health concerns that you have and get advice on how to safely stagger medications to suit a different time zone. A doctor can also advise on whether having a flu shot, pneumonia vaccination, or any other vaccinations relative to the location may be a good idea before travel.

2. Luggage Considerations

As we age, it can be more difficult to carry heavy bags of luggage around, so investing in a suitcase with wheels, if you don’t already have one, is essential. When it comes to carry-on luggage, remember that we typically need a few more things for the plane journey, such as regular medications, painkillers and antacids. Make sure your carry-on bag contains all of these items, as well as other things that you may need for the duration of the flight, including a medical kit. In your suitcase, it can be useful to take a pillbox with pre-filled compartments for each day of the week if you are on daily medication. This can help reduce the risk of forgetting to take medication when away from home and out of a normal routine.

3. Medication Considerations

In some cases, medications that are legal in Australia may not be legal in the countries that you are travelling to. It is important to check this before you leave. In addition, if you are on regular medication, make sure you pack enough to last the entire trip, and a bit extra in case you experience any delays or hold-ups, as you may not be able to obtain more when you’re away. It can also be useful to get a signed note from your doctor that outlines the prescribed medications, as well as any other over the counter medicines that you will be taking with you.

If you have a pre-existing condition, or if you are travelling with someone who does and are worried you may need urgent medical attention while you are away, you can consider wearing a medical alert bracelet or pendant that contains your medical details. For more information on this, speak to your doctor.

4. Flying Considerations

Sitting still for an extended period of time is a well-known cause of deep vein thrombosis. This is a development of blood clots in the veins of the legs and long-haul flights can be a risk factor for susceptible people.

In order to reduce the risk of this developing, some medical practitioners will recommend taking half an aspirin (150mg) on the day of the flight or wearing elasticised stockings for the duration of the flight. Other things that you can do to help include wearing loose clothing, not sitting with crossed legs, avoiding alcohol, and drinking lots of water to prevent dehydration. To ensure you are still moving while on the plane, try walking in the aisles and doing leg and foot stretches and exercises while seated. Some of the Ageless Grace® tools are great to do on a plane.

The main thing to remember when travelling as an older adult is to be prepared. Find out about the medical facilities in the areas you will be visiting and research the important factors of the country before you go, such as climate, language and culture. In addition, ensure you organise travel insurance prior to departing. If you want to relax and revitalise without leaving the country, you might like the Ageless Grace® program.