Navigating Travelโข inโข Your 90s: Experts Share Safety andโค Health Advice
San Francisco, CA – As holiday travelโ surges,โข medical professionals are offering crucial advice for seniors, particularly those in theirโข 90s, aiming to enjoy โjourneys safely. While travel at any age requires planning,older adults face unique considerations regarding health and physical safety,lessons that benefit travelers of all ages.
Expertsโ emphasize the importance of proactive health measuresโ before, during, and after travel. Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a โขprofessorโฃ of medicine at the University of california, san Francisco, highlights the risk of respiratory illnesses. “even โif you’re not feeling sick, it’s important to be mindful of your surroundings and take precautions,” he said.
Staying active during travel is also key. Even simple movements canโ make a difference. โ”If you’re on a long flightโ or car ride, try to get up and move around periodically,” advised Dr. Susan Liu, a geriatricianโ at UCSF. “Even just moving their legs whileโค sitting can definitelyโ help.”
For those hosting gatherings during theโข holidays, โexperts recommend prioritizing ventilation. Dr. Chin-Hong suggests openingโ windows during large gatherings and avoidingโ close contact with anyoneโข exhibiting respiratory symptoms. “Remember, what might be innocent in aโค child might be more detrimental to you,” he cautioned.”You can’t just say, ‘Oh โBobby has something mild.’ That’s not always true.”
Practical hosting considerations include providing seperate bathroom โคfacilities for guests, ensuring ample supplies like toilet paper, and securing medicationsโฃ out of reach of children, according to registered nurse Katie Canio. Hosts โคshouldโ also be vigilant about potentialโ fall โคhazards createdโ by increased activity in the โขhome. “More people in theโฃ home means things aren’t always going to be where they usually are,” Dr. Liu noted.
Travel insurance is recommended, particularly for โขthose with pre-existing conditions. Canio suggests โคhealth travelโ insurance to mitigate potentially high costsโฃ associated with out-of-network hospitalizations.
Physical safety is paramount. While canes and walkers provide stability, dr. Liu advises travelers to remain โฃaware of their surroundings. “Just have some safety awareness and situational awareness,” she said. “A cane and walker can be used as a weapon as well.”