If you are over 65 and travel away from home, consider the following recommendations:

Before Travel

• Get all necessary medications filled. Make sure you have enough to cover the length of your stay and a few days after your return home. 
• Keep essential medications and medical equipment with you, rather than in your checked luggage. 
• Buy and begin wearing a bracelet or necklace that identifies any special medical conditions, and carry this information in your wallet. The MedicAlert® Foundation disseminates medical identification bracelets internationally.
• Program an emergency contact number into your cell phone using the address notation “ICE” (In Case of Emergency) as medical providers are increasingly using this mechanism to obtain medical information. 
• Consider packing an extra pair of eyeglasses, especially if you need them to drive. 
• Plan your daily travel activities so they do not tax your physical abilities. 
• Consider making a visit to your doctor for a check up, especially before lengthy travel. 
• Leave friends and family a copy of your travel itinerary. 
• Identify emergency medical facilities in the areas where you will be traveling.

During Travel

• Keep a list of all medications (including name, strength and how often you take it) as well as all allergies (particularly to medications) and pertinent information on any special health conditions on your person at all times. (Persons with cardiac conditions might also consider taking along a copy of their last EKG.)
• Continue taking your medications as prescribed, even though your travel activities may change your daily routine. 
• Set an alarm to remind you to take your medications at regularly scheduled times. 
• Walk around and stretch your legs every 20 minutes or so when seated for long periods. This encourages blood circulation, and helps prevent blood clots. 
• Stay hydrated. Drink more water and avoid excess alcohol and caffeine. 
• Monitor blood sugar, if diabetic, and follow dietary restrictions. 
• Eat regular, well-balanced meals, and avoid foods that are high in fat and sugar. 
• Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. 
• Do not overexert yourself. Take it easy and enjoy your new surroundings. 
• Inform your tour guide about any chronic medical conditions.

Finally, no one plans to have a medical emergency, but it is wise to be prepared ahead of time. Designate a medical surrogate, which is someone you trust to make medical decisions for you if you become unable.  Ask you doctor to help you complete a medical history [link to medical forms] and bring it with you on your trip. In addition to helping the physician who may treat you at your travel destination, it can help you if you become unable to speak because of illness or injury. It can also make the experience easier because you don’t have to repeat a medical history multiple times. At all times, at home or away, you should carry with you a medical history form that includes a list of chronic or past medical conditions as well as past surgeries. The form should also include a list of current medications and allergies and copies of any recent diagnostic tests (e.g., electrocardiogram).

If you have prepared an Advance Directive or Living Will, make your physician and family aware of it before you leave. A Living Will gives direction to health professionals about the choices you want made in various circumstances. These choices are used if the person becomes too sick to communicate. The laws for Advance Directives vary from state to state, so ask your physician or your attorney for more information.

In addition, MedicAlert Foundation is a recognized provider of Advance Directive orders. Certain states have legislated the MedicAlert ID to serve as Do Not Resucitate “DNR” and Physicians Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (“POLST”) notification. For more information, contact MedicAlert Foundation at 800-ID-ALERT (800-432-5378).