Happy Greetings to all of our First Care family in the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Westchester County, we celebrate National Patient Safety Awareness Week from March 6-12. As a society, we are in the planning stages of that wonderful time when we decide that we want the feeling of the sun on our faces, which means vacations and spring break. This is the time of year we start yearning to break free from our every day routine and travel; even if we only travel across the great boroughs of New York City or even Westchester County for just a few hours. The purpose of this week is to keep in mind that as the weather gets warmer and your outdoor activities increase, we need to keep safety in mind, in particular those who are traveling somewhere that requires an overnight stay or more. As seniors, safe and healthy travel is a necessity therefore we look to a blog titled Safe and Healthy Travel for seniors as provided by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) on their website www.cdc.gov has some great advice.
The retirement years can be an exciting time to see the world, and travel is easier and safer than ever before for seniors. With a little planning and some caution, seniors can safely visit almost any destination. All travelers, including seniors, should see a doctor for a pre-travel visit, ideally 4–6 weeks before they travel, although even a last-minute visit can be helpful. The doctor should be told about illnesses the traveler has and medicines he or she is taking, since this will influence medical decisions. In addition to providing vaccines, medicine, and advice for keeping healthy, a doctor can conduct a physical exam to assess a senior's fitness for travel. Seniors should consider their physical limitations when planning a trip. Seniors with heart disease, for example, might choose an itinerary that does not involve strenuous activities. Seniors may also have a hard time recovering from jet lag and motion sickness, so they should take these factors into account when planning a trip. Before travel, seniors should have information about their destination that could affect their health, such as the altitude and climate. They should be aware of whether the destination is prone to natural disasters, such as earthquakes and hurricanes, since seniors may have more problems in those extreme situations.
Vaccines
Before travel, seniors should be up-to-date on routine vaccines, such as measles/mumps/rubella and seasonal flu. Some of these may be considered "childhood" vaccines, but their protective effect decreases over time, and the diseases they protect against are often more common in other countries than in the United States. More than half of tetanus cases are in people over 65, so seniors should consider getting a tetanus booster before they travel. Seniors should also receive other vaccines recommended for the countries they are visiting. These may include vaccines for hepatitis, typhoid, polio, or yellow fever. Seniors should discuss their detailed travel plans with their doctors and, if necessary, alternatives to vaccination.
Medication
A doctor may prescribe medicine for malaria, altitude illness, or travelers' diarrhea; seniors should make sure the doctor knows any other medications they take, to watch out for possible drug interactions. In addition to medicine prescribed specifically for travel, seniors are likely to take other medicines regularly, such as medicines for high blood pressure, diabetes, or arthritis. They should plan to pack enough medicine for the duration of the trip, plus a few days' extra in case of travel delays. Prescription medicine should always be carried in its original container, along with a copy of the prescription, and all medicine should be packed in carry-on luggage, in case checked luggage gets lost.
Injury Prevention
Although exotic infections make the headlines, injury is the most common cause of preventable death among travelers. Seniors can minimize their risk of serious injury by following these guidelines:
• Always wear a seatbelt.
• Don't ride in cars after dark in developing countries.
• Avoid small, local planes.
• Don't travel at night in questionable areas.
In addition, seniors should consider purchasing supplemental travel health insurance in case of injury or illness overseas. Many health plans, including Medicare, will not pay for services received outside the United States. Seniors who are planning travel to remote areas should consider purchasing evacuation insurance, which will pay for emergency transportation to a qualified hospital.
First Care of New York wants to keep you safe. When traveling for a doctor’s visit or somewhere else with one of our aides, know that you are traveling with someone who is trained and certified to provide great care for all your needs. All of our Live in Care, Personal Care, Home Health and Companionship services are performed with care efficiency and flexibility to help you and yours enjoy the warm light of the sun.
