Our Top 22 Travel Safety Tips for Over 50's

It’s a good idea to see your doctor 4-6 weeks before you travel to have a health check. It could be an idea to arrange your annual health check before any overseas holiday. Your doctor may pick up on something that’s better to discover whilst you’re still in Australia, rather than while you’re on a cruise ship in the middle of nowhere, or at the mercy of the health system in a third world country. Let your doctor know when you’re going, where you’re going and for how long. They can check if you’re fit for travel, provide prescriptions for medication you’ll need whilst away, avoid medication changes and provide advice for the destination.

At the same time, you can get your travel vaccinations for your destination.

You don’t need to lock yourself in the house, but you may want to avoid hospitals, sick people in the workplace or lots of children, to decrease your exposure to illness. It’s also a good idea to take it easy in the weeks leading up to your departure. Avoid increasing your stress levels, strenuous exercise, climbing ladders, lifting heavy items, moving house etc.

The stress of travel, change in lifestyle (food, exercise and weather) and increased exercise can all contribute to the likelihood of a medical episode for those who have current health concerns.

If something medical is to happen to you, Australia is probably the best place for it to happen. You’ll have access to some of the best healthcare in the world, your Medicare and private health insurance is applicable, your friends and family support network is here and you’re close to home for recovery. Being overseas when something happens puts you in a very different position and is something best avoided if it’s likely to occur.

Food poisoning or an upset stomach is certainly something to avoid on a holiday. Look for reputable and popular eateries, only use bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth, avoid ice and don’t eat food that may have been washed in the local water, such as apples or salads.

A cruise ship is the last place you want to be if you have any sort of medical situation. As it’s a cruise ship, medical assistance is limited and you’ll be a long way, if not days from full medical help.

If you had to cancel your cruise because you have health concerns and don’t need to make a claim on your policy, please contact us about cancelling your cruise travel insurance policy.

Extra concentration is recommended especially when it’s something you’re not used to doing like wheeling luggage. You’d definitely be surprised how many travellers trip over their bags, fall over when stepping off high gutters, slip on wet hosed down footpaths, walking up or down stairs or have accidents doing everyday tasks whilst travelling that would probably never happen to them at home.

Becoming relaxed about when, how or even remembering to take your medication can start a chain of events resulting in a serious medical situation. Be vigilant about taking your medication as normal, and consult your doctor prior to your departure about when it is best to take your medication in a different time zone. If you lose your medication, seek a medical practitioner immediately to get your medication replaced.

You want to make sure you have enough to cover your entire trip, plus an extra week in the event your trip is extended for any reason, such as you having a good time or a volcanic ash cloud.

On holidays everything can be different, which can have an impact on your body. Different food, water, weather or air conditioning in confined spaces (planes, cruise ship, hotels) are all things that your body needs to adjust to. So do as you would at home as much as possible to not put any unnecessary stress on your body, which could lead to a medical situation.

Going sight-seeing can mean that you end up doing more exercise than normal and this can put extra pressure on the body. If you have overdone it a bit one day and have shortness of breath or any chest or arm pain, seek medical treatment immediately.

Especially if you are over the age of 60, it’s better safe than sorry in a foreign country.

We’d all love to be younger, fitter and more agile and sometimes an overseas trip can make us think we are, especially when we get the chance to do something we don’t normally do at home.

But before you sign up for the 10km hike, zip lining, bike ride or run across a road to beat the traffic, take a second to consider any injuries you have, how old you actually are and the last time you were able to do those activities comfortably.

You’d never ride in a car in Australia without a seatbelt. Be vigilant about your own personal safety by always requesting a seatbelt for any booked transport and checking a taxi has seatbelts before you get in.

With cars driving on the right-hand side of the road, or any direction in some countries, it can take some getting used to. So the best option is to always cross at zebra crossings and the lights. If this isn’t possible, look to the left first and double check both ways before you step off the curb.

Warnings, cautions and danger signs in hotel rooms, on cruise ships, on bush walking trails etc have been created because there’s been a reason to do so. Follow the signs and reduce your chance of an incident.

Poor roads, lack of traffic rules, the number of vehicles on the road, disregard of road rules in some countries and your inexperience can all lead to an increased likelihood of something going awfully wrong on a moped, scooter or motorbike.

If you have to ride a moped or scooter, your travel insurance will likely require you to have a valid Australian driver’s licence. For riding a motorcycle, you’ll need a valid Australian motorcycle licence. Whichever one you choose to ride, you’ll also need to comply with the local licensing requirements.

Airport security, traffic, delayed flights, immigration lines and language barriers etc are all out of your control, so allow sufficient time. In the event something does go wrong, you won’t miss the predetermined departure time.