Research and planning makes for a happy trip
While most snowbirds have returned home for Alberta’s warm weather months, other seniors are planning summer tours of Europe, cross-border casino bus trips or hitting the highway in the motor home.
And while travellers of any age should consider insurance, safety of destination and a suitable style of travel in their plans, there are special considerations for the older traveller.
Will the destination require a particular vaccine? Are there medications that could conflict with the vaccine? Will any pre-existing medical conditions be covered by travel insurance? Do you have enough medication to last the entire trip? Are there mobility issues that could make certain types of travel difficult?
Experts agree research and advance planning are key to a successful trip. The government of Canada’s travel website at Travel.gc.ca is a great resource and includes the latest on disease outbreaks, political turmoil and weather emergencies around the world, but don’t forget to talk to your health provider and travel agent, too. Travel insurance is a must If you plan to leave Canada, even on a day trip to the U.S., get travel insurance, says Tanya Idzan, senior travel manager with EPIC World Travel in St. Albert.
“There are different products for snowbirds (extended stays), annual home policies with added travel insurance, and trip-specific policies. Make sure to read the fine print so you know exactly what is and isn’t covered,” she says. “Even if a policy doesn’t cover you for a pre-existing medical condition (diabetes, high blood pressure, etc), it’ll still likely cover you if you get food poisoning or are in a car accident.”
Travel insurance should include health, life and disability coverage, to avoid high costs for hospitalization or medical treatment. If flying, it’s also recommended to be covered for flight cancellation, trip interruption and baggage replacement. If opting for a road trip, be sure that driver and vehicle coverage is up-to-date.
Depending on the type of trip and destination, insurance may be mandatory. Some countries and tour operators—Cuba is one, some African safari treks, too—require travellers to have emergency medical travel insurance or they won’t be allowed in. Talk to your travel agent about such details.
Fill prescriptions at home Whatever the length of your trip, bring enough medication for the duration, and include a duplicate of the original prescription, too. It’s all in the name of avoiding the unknown (and a possible medical emergency) in a foreign country.
“Always have prescriptions in their original bottles, not a pill box, for easy identification at border crossings or customs offices,” says Idzan. “If authorities can’t tell what’s what with your medicine, there may be issues. And never put medicine in checked baggage. Always keep it with you in case luggage is lost.”
It’s easy to imagine a trip going awry if medication can’t be refilled in another country. Besides potential medical concerns, who wants to spend their vacation looking for a pharmacy? Preventive medicine Daniela Mora, director of clinical operations for Passport Health in Canada, says the travel health clinic advises clients with what’s needed for that destination. A trip to Africa, popular with seniors, may require a vaccine for yellow fever. There’s even a vaccine to avoid traveller’s diarrhea, says Mora, which can become a health emergency to someone with diabetes if diarrhea leads to dehydration.
“We cross-check medications and advise for vaccines if absolutely needed. Ideally, we like to see people about four months before they travel—if left until the last minute, there’s less options for vaccines,” says Mora. What’s your style?
If you have difficulty walking or climbing, a coach tour of Europe may not suit, reminds Idzan, as those tours are on/off the bus at a quick pace day after day.
“River cruises require much less movement, and they’re hugely popular with seniors,” she says. “But consider group tours: they offer safe, worry-free travel, and most seniors like the social aspect, too.”