Elderly
Travellers
Earlier
retirement has encouraged many elderly, and even very old, people to visit
relatives overseas or to fulfil long-standing tourist ambitions. The following
are some issues you may wish to consider
The pre-travel
assessment
A pre-travel health consultation may
reveal the need for special advice on the mode of travel, choice of destinations
and route. Always ask your doctor for adequate medications to cover the
whole trip and with some to cover possible delays - familiar medications
may be difficult to obtain locally overseas and may have different names
or tablet doses.
Travel Insurance
It is essential that the elderly have
adequate travel health insurance. Existing health problems usually have
to be declared in advance, including any arranged hospital admissions.
Cover may not include, for example, those who have recently had a myocardial
infarction or bypass surgery. Even with insurance, in an emergency, quality
of care depends upon the available facilities.
In flight
Lack of exercise in airports and on
aircraft can result in venous thrombosis and possibly pulmonary embolism.
Swollen ankles can result from sitting still for long periods in a restricted
space. Regular exercises on flights are very important and the aircrew
may be able to advise you.
Angina and breathlessness can be worse
at high altitude and sometimes in aircraft. If warned in advance the airlines
can provide additional oxygen.
Those with unstable or insulin dependant
diabetes mellitus, confusional states and urinary incontinence can have
difficulties during flights - usually manageable if you are prepared in
advance.
Pre-existing
illness
Those taking medicines for chronic
conditions may have more difficulty remembering to take their tablets (compliance)
when away from home.
Reduced stomach acidity (achlorhydria)
may predispose older people to gastro-intestinal infection.
Hot climates may aggravate low blood
pressure especially in those on anti-hypertensives or anti-Parkinson drugs
- this can cause problems in those who get transient cerebral ischaemic
attacks.
There is a greater likelihood of accidents
in the elderly especially in unfamiliar surroundings. Poorer balance and
postural stability make falls more likely. Reaction can be slower. Brittle
bones (osteoporosis) in the elderly make fractures more likely.
Capacity for exercise is often reduced
with ageing. Impairment in sight and hearing loss can cause confusion in
unfamiliar situations - for example in reading important notices or hearing
loudspeaker announcements. Poor short-term memory may mean that travel
proves more stressful.
Skin and foot care
Many elderly people have foot and
lower limb problems including deformities, nail changes, ulcers and poor
circulation. Protective footwear should be used on the sand and in the
water.
Sunburn can be worse when the skin
is aging or thin and remember feet and legs can burn - protective sunscreens
or covering up are needed as for other parts of the body. Moisturizers
are helpful especially on heels that crack easily. Moist cracked skin can
lead to infection.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations take time so consult
your doctor or nurse as soon as possible, ideally at least four weeks before
travelling. Age is not a contraindication for any vaccine and even if you
have received the vaccine before boosters may now be necessary.
While age and experience may help travellers
to be more careful to avoid risks, vaccinations are as important for older
people as at any age. Age gives no extra 'natural' immunity to infections
and it can make older people more likely to become ill or have complications.
Tetanus
and diphtheria vaccination is important for those likely to sustain injuries,
perhaps on the beach (tetanus) or mix closely with the local population
(diphtheria). For countries where these diseases are still common you should
to receive boosters every 10 years and everyone, of all ages, should be
up to date with their normal British schedule.
Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines are
important for those who are not able to be careful about their food and
water hygiene in risk areas. Hepatitis can be particularly unpleasant inn
older people. Your accommodation may be reasonably safe but eating out
may be risky in poorer countries.
Influenza vaccine can be considered
for those who might get a more severe illness such as the elderly and those
with existing health problems. Remember the 'flu' season in the southern
hemisphere is from April to November.
Malaria
prevention
Your accommodation may well provide
good mosquito protection, if not you must consider taking a good mosquito
net. Sensible clothing to protect the skin from bites and careful use of
mosquito repellents is also important. If your advisor recommends anti-malaria
tablets make sure you take then correctly.
Good preparation can prevent many
potential health problems and make a holiday much more enjoyable |