Make no mistake about it, travel is for everyone. Of course, we have seen this more and more over the last few years, with both young and old generations jet setting around the world.

However, while accessibility certainly doesn’t tend to be much of an obstacle, there’s no doubt that senior travellers do have to be a little more careful. Flying risks tend to be a little higher, and extra precautions have to be taken to ensure that your holiday runs smoothly.

Let’s now coin a few examples through today’s post.

The standard pre-trip medical

Again, for some age groups, this might not be necessary. If you are an older traveller, it might be worth popping in for a pre-trip medical check-up.

This will involve checking with your doctor for any existing conditions which might become more likely to escalate as you take to the skies. The likes of coronary heart disease and high blood pressure (take a look here for more details: https://www.staysure.co.uk/medical-travel-insurance/high-blood-pressure/) fall into this category, and by being aware of them you can just receive the appropriate advice on what to do (and what not do do) as you depart.

This advice might not only relate to the air either. For example, if you suffer from diabetes, you’ll need to receive information on how you can adjust your medications to a new time zone.

The luggage-factor

As we all know, luggage prompts big talking points when it comes to travel. Most of it relates to the cost of taking more on board, but there are extra considerations as a senior.

For a start, you need to ensure that your carry-on bag contains all of your essentials for your flight. Again, this can relate to the consultation you shared with your doctor, and it might mean that you need medication and so forth.

There is also a point about the type of luggage you are taking. The last thing you need is to be lugging around a huge weight; try and pack as lightly as possible and always opt for a suitcase with wheels. In some airports, the distance between endpoints can be significant, and you need something you can manoeuvre easily.

Long-haul flights and deep vein thrombosis

There is some evidence to suggest a correlation between long-haul flights and deep vein thrombosis. This is a condition involving blood clotting in the legs, and it can become very dangerous in the elderly.

Fortunately, there are ways to manage this condition whilst in the air. You should consult your doctor for some medical tips, but you can also help you cause by wearing loose clothing, avoiding alcohol and making sure you stretch your legs as much as possible through the flight by taking a walk up the aisle.

Check out the reciprocal healthcare agreements

We can’t pen too much on this final point, but a lot of countries have reciprocal healthcare agreements which can entitle you to healthcare should the need arise. You will still need to arm yourself with travel insurance, but it can make the process easier and reduce the amount you have to claim. There are a lot of these agreements in place, but you sometimes have to apply to the relevant one to ensure that you receive the care you require.