For many people, retirement is the time to make travel dreams come true. According to AARP research, 45 percent of baby boomers planned to travel internationally last year. Active seniors should expect to explore the world in safety and comfort. But they may need to do more planning to protect their health while away from home. Identifying patient transport services can help in the event of a medical emergency.
Seniors and anyone else who takes medication to control chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension or arthritis should visit their doctor or a medical travel clinic four to six weeks before leaving home. The doctor should perform an overall physical exam and note any limitations or concerns, such as the ability to do strenuous walking or climb stairs. The doctor also will review and should administer any recommended vaccines, including those for rabies, tetanus and measles. There are vaccines that many people fail to get on a regular schedule.
Other vaccines, such as for yellow fever, that are typically recommended for travelers to some areas of the world. But these vaccines are given with caution to people over age 60 and not at all for those who have certain conditions that suppress the immune system.
Travelers who take prescription medicine should work with a doctor to make sure they have enough to last their whole trip, plus a few extras doses in case of travel delays. Travelers should also ask their doctors for a list of generic names for all their prescriptions. Some drugs are known by different names outside the United States. In the event of an emergency, travelers may need the generic names to refill prescriptions or to provide information to an emergency responder.
At the pre-travel visit, the doctor may prescribe antimalarial medicine or an antibiotic for travelers’ diarrhea, which can lead to dangerous dehydration. He or she should also review any negative interactions that travel medicines might have with other prescription drugs.
All prescription and over-the-counter vitamins or supplements should be kept in their original packaging and placed in a carry-on bag. Seniors should remember not to over pack carry-ons or other luggage. While changing planes or checking in at hotels, there may be no one available to help move heavy bags.
When flying, travelers should remember to take short walks or stretch their legs every hour. Recommended stretches include using the hands to lift the knees as high as possible; pointing the toes and flexing the feet to stretch the calves; and making circles in both directions by rotating the ankles. Walking and stretching can help prevent blood clots. In addition, travelers who have a history of blood clots should talk to their doctors about taking blood thinners before traveling.
In making travel arrangements, active seniors who have mobility concerns should ask questions about hotels before booking accommodations, including if the hotel is on a hill, if it has an elevator, and if it is close to public transportation.
Finally, most travel planners recommend that seniors purchase supplemental travel insurance when traveling outside the United States. Many health plans, including Medicare, do not reimburse or pay for medical care outside the United States.
When Patient Transport Services are Needed
Of course, even healthy, active seniors can fall ill or be injured while traveling. For that reason, travelers should also take a few minutes before leaving on a trip to research and record the names and contact information of a medical transport provider.
Travelers who cannot receive the treatment they need to recover while away from home may require medical transport to a nearby medical facility or to the medical center nearest their home for continued care. SentinelMED provides patient transport services, including medical repatriation and medical escorts. They help navigate the complexities of long-distance travel for senior adults and other patients.
The SentinelMED team can arrange door-to-door care and transportation from discharge at a hospital or medical facility to a receiving health care facility or to a family member who is able to assume their care. For patients who do not have a family member or friend to travel with them, a medical escort can make it possible to travel in comfort and arrive home safely.
The SentinelMED team understands the complexity of delivering exceptional care to patients who need assistance during travel. Please contact us to learn more about the services that SentinelMED offers or its staff.
