When traveling with an elderly and or ailing relative or friend, see that you remember to print out a list of the patient’s medical issues and medications, so if needed, it’s in a format that medical professionals anywhere in the world can easily understand. Such printed information can also be helpful when traveling through airports or other strict security enforced areas. Hearing aides, artificial implants in hips and knees, and pacemakers are among the list of medical issues that may trip security alarms.

If your elderly relative requires the use of oxygen, this must be communicated to airline officials in advance. FAA regulations prohibit the use of personal oxygen units during flights, although it may be checked below, if it meets with stringent packaging and labeling requirements. Airlines provide oxygen equipment during the flight for a small service and most require a 48-hour notice.

Travelers with heart conditions should avoid food laden with salt. Most airline meals have more sodium than is required, so it would be best if they order a special meal, should the airline provide such a service, or simply bring their own. Those on diuretics can lose significant amounts of potassium if they contract food poisoning and this may be even more dangerous if they are also on anti-arrhythmia drugs. Prompt treatment of diarrhea in this situation and hydration is essential.

Before embarking on a trip with an elderly relative or friend, there are a few things you should consider.

Keep your relative’s doctor informed about your travel plans. See that your elderly relative goes for a thorough physical in order to rule out and prevent any nasty surprises when on the road. Make sure flu shots are up-to-date and any immunizations are administered in plenty of time, if traveling to a country that requires shots.

Tetanus, poliomyelitis and diphtheria as well as vaccinations against influenza is highly recommended. The symptoms of the flu are taxing enough already without the burden of being abroad and removed from the conveniences and familiarity of one’s home.

Vaccinations against Hepatitis A and B are also essential as these diseases can be particularly severe in the older traveler. Additionally, a vaccination against the pneumoccal bacteria should be obtained and is administered every five years. Age related changes in the immune system may vary and should be discussed with your physician prior to travel and vaccination.

Automobile or bus travel holds many of the same concerns as those by train, the comfort level being a major point. Most tour buses have steps that a senior person needs to deal with, usually requiring a major effort on his/her part to climb up into the bus. While some vehicles can lower themselves almost to ground lever down using hydraulic lifts to make this process less stressful on the elderly, many buses do not have this option yet.

Furthermore, many of the elderly are not as steady as they used to be, and trying to use the rest room in a jostling bus would be quite a traumatic experience for them. Car travel has many of the same problems, but you have more control over your own vehicle. Still, plan your route carefully in order to provide many pit stops for your relative to recuperate from the rough highway travel.

There are some fundamental rules for senior travel that hold true no matter what method you choose to travel by. As with any traveler, be sure to keep important medications on hand and not packed away in a checked piece of luggage. It may be inconvenient to carry them with you but if that bag gets lost you’ll be trying to get a doctor to write new prescriptions in an emergency situation. Please keep all medications in their original bottles to insure that security officials can identify them at a glance if need be. Keep the doctor’s name, address and phone number close at hand along with an abbreviated medical history and a list of medications in case of emergency. Your memory may not be enough in a crisis and you want to be able to deliver as much information as possible to the doctors caring for your relative in an emergency.

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Common travel mistakes to avoid! PART 3

Mistake #05: Not backing up your pictures

This is not something that is going to cost you money unlike the other common mistakes listed previously, but its certainly going to leave you banging your head against the wall in frustration and disappointment. Most of us take much pains to capture in minute detail, the beauty of the place that we are visiting, unfortunately most of us just don’t make a habit of backing our prized photos.  Its so easy to lose your photos. From a virus in the computer at the internet cafe to a stolen camera, in a matter of seconds you can lose all your precious photos. It’s such an unnecessary mistake to make because no matter where I’ve been there has always been a place to burn my pictures onto a DVD or CD and for a very reasonable price as well. Get into the habit of backing up photos regularly in any way possible because even if your USD 3000 camera is stolen the thing you will miss the most is those irreplaceable pictures of your travels, plus if your took out an insurance plan, you can always claim for your stolen or lost camera, provided you get furnish the insurance agent with all the necessary documents ! Bottom line, back up your photos, its better to be safe than sorry!

Mistake #06: Getting mad

Getting angry in a foreign country is not going to solve anything. Try and understand the local culture and way they do things, after all, you are a guest in that country and just because they  do not do things the way you are used to them being done, does not necessarily mean that its wrong. Enjoy your journey and learn from your experience and try to remember that the whole reason you chose to travel there was because it was exotic and different. Be patient if you are traveling in a country where English is not the first language. You may want to speak slowly and use less complicated words to get your message across. Avoid being patronizing though. Bottom line, enjoy your travels and respect and understand the local culture.

Flying in comfort: Part 3

Tips

Go to the bathroom RIGHT before you leave. This will decrease your chances you will have to go on the plane. The bathrooms on an airplane are small, and they don’t have the most pleasant smell.

(Sudafed) to help relieve pressure in your ears during takeoff and landing. Please note, however, that if you fly to Japan or New Zealand, Sudafed and other cold cures that contain pseudoephedrine are considered controlled substances and are illegal to bring into the country. Pseudoephedrine is also an “upper”, and may prevent you from napping.

Alternative solutions to the ear pressure problem (whether or not you have a cold) include chewing gum and opening your mouth.

Pressure relieving earplugs (a brand name is EarPlanes) also help to relieve air pressure changes during flights.

Don’t worry about getting up to use the restroom often; the walking about will be good for the blood flow in your legs.

If you have a strong fear of flying or have troubles falling asleep during the flight, you could ask your doctor for a benzodiazepine medication [Valium/Xanax/Restoril(c)]. These will lower your anxiety levels and are sedating. Do not use alcohol to sleep.

If you tend to get airsick, drink a small bottle of ginger ale before boarding, carry a newspaper in your backpack, and take some lemon drops. The ginger will help calm your stomach, the smell of the newspaper will help you relax, and the lemon drops will soothe your body.

If first (or business) class isn’t completely sold out, boarding crews occasionally invite some coach class customers to move up. Your chances of this happening are best if you are dressed appropriately—this means no jeans or sweatshirts, no open-toed sandals, and no backpack or other unwieldy carry-on luggage.

Get the wax mouldable over-the-counter ear plugs. They work better than the cheap foam ones and are less expensive than the custom made ones. If you are concerned about noise, try to sit forward of the engines.

WetOnes are one of the best inventions ever: a self contained bath. They are pre-moistened anti-bacterial towelettes. They sell a small pack about the size of your palm for a couple of bucks.

Don’t use “no jet lag” pills. These are placebo (so called “homeopathic”) sorbitol pills with zero active ingredients. You will get similar results from tic-tacs.

Try downloading a few podcasts to your MP3 player before you leave. There are loads of them around, and there should be one that suits your interests. If you’re travelling alone for a while, a podcast or two should keep you company.

The last row of seats usually do not recline.

If you want earplugs but didn’t bring any, use tissue.

Armrests can be raised (even on the aisle) but some have a hidden release latch. Ask flight crew.

Short flights may take longer than driving when you consider airport parking, security lines, waiting for boarding, luggage pickup, car rental, cost, etc.

Keep a photocopy (or more) of your main passport page spread out through your luggage. If your passport is lost or stolen, having the copy will make it MUCH easier to straighten out. If your bag is misplaced, it’s more likely to be returned to you.

Bring a bag of lollipops. If you’re seated near a crying child, offer them to the parent; they make an effective silencing tool!.

Plan for airport layovers, too. They can take time, but they are also a good opportunity to stretch your legs.

Turn off all Wifi/Bluetooth/Cellular communications in your phone. Most smartphones have the aptly named airplane mode.

If the airline you are travelling with provides blankets, it is a good idea to sleep with the blanket over your head to block out light and also if you like privacy.

This may go without saying, but this does happen. DO NOT attempt to shave in a airplane!