Life always carries risk. This is especially true for traveling and traveling when 55+ is riskier still. Yet, rather than being overwhelmed by risk, it must be managed so we don't fear exploring the world. In this post, we'll review three major types of risks older adults face when traveling and how to manage them.
It's a given that as we age, health concerns will be more likely to impact our travel aspirations. These concerns could be known conditions we must consider before a journey. They can also be unpleasant health surprises emerging when we're away from home. In either case, planning for these contingencies makes a lot of sense.
Planning for commercial flights begins with the question, "What pre-existing health conditions must I take into account?" Many doctors agree that those with certain serious conditions should not travel by air. Examples are:
Another risk for some people is the risk of blood clots forming in their legs during a long flight. In these cases, medical professionals recommend wearing compression socks and getting up often to walk in the aircraft's aisle.
If you're dependent on supplemental oxygen, knowing that aircraft cabin pressure changes your oxygen flow is crucial. Check with your doctor about increasing liters/minute flow during flights.
If you have any health concerns, see your doctor at least ten days before traveling. The CDC recommends that you discuss the following at the appointment:
You may also seek a certified travel medicine professional for your pre-trip appointment. Travel medicine is a relatively new field whose practitioners have specialized knowledge concerning:
Travel medicine providers are available on the International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM) website.
In addition to a pre-trip visit to your health professional, here are some further tips for healthy traveling:
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Safety risks affect travelers of all ages, but older adults shouldn't let their guard down simply because they may be able to afford more upscale accommodations and amenities. Here are some ideas to help you stay safe on your trip.
Be cautious about sharing information about your trip on social media before you leave and while you're gone. There have been instances when homes have been robbed because thieves knew the owners were out of town.
Passports and visas are essential for international travel, but having a valid ID when traveling domestically is also crucial. For example, you'll need a driver's license and proof of insurance to rent a car. Sometimes, hotels require identification as well. Regarding passports, carry your passport while traveling around a foreign country. There may be instances when hotels require you to present it at registration.
Other documents to bring include:
Make paper copies of all the above and include these in your luggage as a backup. Also, take photographs of important documents with your phone. Finally, share paper and digital copies with a trusted friend or family member so they can get copies to you in an emergency.
The U.S. Department of State offers the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for overseas travelers. The benefits of enrollment are:
Making plans to secure your personal things will help to reduce risk and stress as you travel. Consider the following tips to protect your belongings:
Think about how you'll handle payments on the road. Cash and a credit card will probably suffice if you're traveling domestically. Debit cards are riskier since the dollar amount of fraudulent charges a bank will cover depends on how soon you inform them of a compromised card. (Credit card issuers are more flexible about reversing fraudulent charges.) Also, bring an extra credit card in case your primary card is not accepted, lost, stolen, or otherwise compromised. Finally, tell your credit card company when and where you're traveling and ask how they handle currency exchange.
Traveler's cheques still have a place in your money universe when traveling. They have the advantage of being replaceable if lost or stolen, and they are usually easily converted into local currency.
Cash is still used almost everywhere, and the amount you'll need depends on where you're going. In major cities, a card will handle most transactions. However, cash is essential when traveling in rural areas or less developed countries.
Since we live in a smartphone-centric world, it's easy to forget that the full spectrum of connectivity we enjoy at home might not be available everywhere with your existing phone setup. Therefore, you'll want a reliable and fully-featured phone when traveling. There are several ways to do this:
A large proportion of older solo travelers are women. While all solo travelers need to manage travel safety risks, women must be especially careful. Journeywomen.com offers a good list of safety tips for solo female travelers, including:
A troubling travel scenario is making non-refundable reservations and then being unable to travel due to sickness or some other unpleasant contingency. Luckily, the booming travel insurance market allows travelers to purchase coverage online. Also, some credit cards offer travel insurance coverage as a perk.
Despite its apparent advantages, consumers must pay attention to the details when purchasing travel insurance policies. Here are some things to keep in mind: