OverSixty July 2023 Digital

ISSUE 5 | JULY 2023 | OVERSIXTY.COM.AU 32 TRAVEL Staying healthy on holidays DR JEAN MARMOREO FROM CANADIAN GEOGRAPHIC PLAN T ravel for seniors can be daunting and stressful, and there’s enormous po- tential for medical complications, espe- cially for people with pre-existing health issues. But it’s also exciting and ful!lling. At 80 years old myself, I love to travel and want to continue for as long as I can. "e key to things going smoothly – be- yond getting travel insurance – is prepa- ration. Here are steps you can take to en- joy your holiday with minimal stress. Create a portable medical history "anks to mobile phones and tablets, it’s easy to bring your medical history – con- sultations, test results, imaging reports – with you on your travels. You can take ad- vantage of the available phone apps and digital tools, that allow you to access your health records. "at means you will have this vital information with you no matter where you are. You should still create a written record of your medical history. Include any sur- geries you’ve had and the medications you take (by name, dosage and the time of day you take them). Put the information in your wallet along with your boarding pass, vaccina- tion record and credit cards. If something goes wrong during your travels and you can’t speak for yourself, your medical summary will provide caregivers with the information they need. And if you end up receiving medical care while travelling, get copies of all the tests you were given so you can show your doctors back home. "ey will be a key component of your follow-up care. Share your travel itinerary Send your itinerary to close family or friends, and be sure to include addresses and phone numbers for each destination. "is allows your loved ones to keep in touch if you do experience medical problems while you’re away. And if you, the traveller, are leaving el- derly parents at home, make sure whoev- er is caring for themcan reach you if there is a health crisis. Many of my patients in their 60s are raring to go on a trip but wor- ry about leaving a parent for whom they are a caregiver. I never discourage some- one from travelling unless the elderly par- ent has a sudden critical illness. 6WD\ FRPIRUWDEOH ZKLOH ȵ\LQJ Flights are physically demanding. "e combination of being sedentary and enduring high cabin pressure at altitude can take a toll on our bodies. So, in addition to donning masks as a precaution against airborne illnesses like Covid-19, my husband and I wear knee-high compression socks on lengthy #ights. "ey reduce or even prevent un- comfortable foot swelling caused by sit- ting for hours crammed into a small seat. Compression socks support your legs’ veins and allow better blood #ow. "is helps prevent swelling and the pooling of blood in the veins, reducing your risk of deep-vein thrombosis, when clots form that can cause a pulmonary embolism. It’s also very important to get up and walk in the aisle during the #ight. I rec- ommend taking a stroll every two to three hours. Even if you have to crawl over fellow passengers and risk blocking the food cart in the aisle, it’s worth it for your health’s sake. %ULQJ DORQJ WKH EDVLFV Pack a reusable water bottle. Parents to- day send their kids o$ to school with wa- ter bottles, but rarely do we see seniors carrying them – and they should. If you’re part of a tour group, some ex- cursions at your destination may o$er !xed lunch times and rest periods, but many travellers !nd themselves out all day, inadequately fuelled and watered. Be sure to drink regularly throughout the day – staying hydrated can reduce headaches and body aches, which helps you stay focused and, crucially, reduces your chances of falling. I like collapsible lightweight bottles because they’re easy to tuck into small bags; one that holds 750 millilitres of water is enough for a day’s outing but won’t make you desperate for the toilet. Aim to drink around two litres per day in total. When you do head out for the day, don’t carry too much. “Asymmetrical loading” of shoulder bags stresses the neck and upper body. A small backpack, squarely set on both shoulders, will make all your outings more comfortable. Put only the necessities into your day- pack: water, medications, your medi- cal-history document, sunscreen, hat, credit card and cash. Depending on the weather, you may want to add a jumper, raincoat or compact umbrella. And wear- ing a mask, especially in crowded places, just makes sense. 'RQȇW EH VK\ DERXW EULQJLQJ D FDQH or walker My patients who travel tell me they strug- gle navigating the cobblestone paths, steep roads and narrow stairs they en- counter at some destinations. Holidays often include visits to museums, gardens and ancient sites, and that can add up to a lot of walking – often more than 10km (12,000 steps) a day. It can take a toll on tricky knees, sti$ hips or a sore back. Many tourist attractions that cater to older travellers o$er canes for walking tours and poles for hikes. Some may even provide straps for your ankles and braces for your knees, but it’s better to have your own equipment that you’ve already tried. Consider packing a knee guard or a soft Roam if you want to – but keep these safety precautions in mind as a senior traveller From “Travel with Dr. Jean: Preparing for takeo!,” Canadian Geographic , with additions from the author Photo: Getty Images ankle brace. Either could be invaluable, as mild pressure on a tender joint can re- duce swelling. Consider borrowing a wheelchair from the airline for use when in transit. "ey’re not only for the oldest, frailest people – anyone who might have di%culty carry- ing bags through the airport and standing in lengthy customs and immigration lines will appreciate them. To avoid over-exerting your body be- fore you even reach your destination, it’s perfectly okay to ask your doctor for a let- ter requesting the use of a wheelchair for transiting through airports (though air- lines wouldn’t typically require a doctor’s note). Some airports even provide large golf carts in lieu of wheelchairs. Ask your airline in advance about the options. 'RQȇW IRUJHW RWKHU HVVHQWLDOV You’ve got your passport, reading glass- es, sunglasses, money, contact details, medical information, itinerary, phone, power adapters and small bottles of your preferred toiletries. Other all-important basics are sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or higher and a hat to protect your scalp, ears and the back of your neck (areas that never seem to get enough sunscreen). Don’t forget antibacterial wipes; we’re all now accustomed to hand sanitiser, and the wipes are handy for cleaning sur- faces around you, in planes and on buses, for example. And if you want to be super prepared, pack an antihistamine. Always pack prescription meds in your carry-on bag, not your checked luggage; replacing them could be di%cult if your bags are lost or delayed. And if you are travelling with prescription opiates for chronic pain, bring a letter from your doctor declaring what you’re carrying. Likewise, if you have diabetes, put your glucometer in your carry-on bag. If you are on blood thinners, don’t forget to bring your INR testing kit (which moni- tors the risk of blood clotting). Anyone planning to hike should pack tweezers for removing ticks; you don’t want to get Lyme disease. It’s a serious illness that can dramatically a$ect the quality of your life. If you’re going to be in the woods or in tall grass, wear a long- sleeved shirt and trousers tucked into your socks. Later, as you get ready for bed, check your entire body for ticks. 7KH ZRUOG LV ZDLWLQJ No matter where you go, you can often rely on the kindness of strangers. I am forever impressed at the trips my elderly patients undertake, and they tell me part of their con!dence comes from knowing that, if they need help, they can ask for it from locals. People are generally good. I !nd travel is good medicine for my soul, and it may be good for yours, too. Now the world has opened up again, don’t shy away from seeing it. Embrace it. PLAN