Travel Counseling for the Elderly Traveler

Abstract

As the baby boomer's generation retirees, many will have the time and money to travel abroad to see the world's exotic wonders or visit family and friends. When the travelers are elderly, they are particularly vulnerable to the effects of travel. Healthcare professionals are responsible for counseling elders on travel health based on their medical history, destination, method of transportation, and exposure risks. Important areas of travel counseling include preparing for travel, air travel, safety, sun and heat, insect precautions, food and water precautions, and vaccinations.

Population Ageing, Tourism and Travel Insurance

“…All participants are subjected to unfamiliar physical and psychological stresses, but the physiological changes which accompany ageing render older people vulnerable to health hazards as travellers and tourists (Albrecht et al 2003;Mcintosh 1998;Suh 2004). Although the ability to cope with the mental and physical demands of modern travel appears to be eroded when growing old, it does not inevitably follow that the elderly should abandon tourism.lnstead, advice and counselling and preparations prior to the journey are advocated (Mcintosh 1999;Schindler 2005;Schofield 2000).…”

A Study of Older Adults' Travel Barriers by Examining Age Segmentation

“…Therefore, pre-arranged, tour like activities or outdoor sites made accessible through bridges and paved trails may be important for travel experts to consider when trying to attract older travelers (Alon et al 2010). Older adults are also at a higher risk for sun damage and should take extra care to use sunscreen and other protective measures (Schindler, 2005). As people age, they also become more sensitive to heat, meaning older adults, especially the old-old and oldest-old, are at a heightened risk for dehydration and heat exhaustion (Schindler, 2005;Schlaudecker, Moushey, & Schlaudecker, 2013).…”

“…Older adults are also at a higher risk for sun damage and should take extra care to use sunscreen and other protective measures (Schindler, 2005). As people age, they also become more sensitive to heat, meaning older adults, especially the old-old and oldest-old, are at a heightened risk for dehydration and heat exhaustion (Schindler, 2005;Schlaudecker, Moushey, & Schlaudecker, 2013).…”

“…The cost of medical and travel insurance can even pose a barrier to travel for older adults, especially the old-old and oldest-old, which tend to have the most severe health conditions and be on the greatest number of medications (Schindler, 2005). Tourism professionals should strive towards continuing to offer luxury vacations for Baby Boomers while at the same time, making vacations more financially feasible for those who fall in to older segments of old-age.…”

Exploring cabin safety services needs of elderly air passengers

“…In Taiwan, a total of 643,876 elderly passengers went abroad by air in 2000, and the number had increased to 1,144,229 in 2010(Taiwan Ministry of Interior, 2011. Although the convenience of air travel enables the elderly to fly around the world at a moment's notice, it is not without risk (Schindler, 2005). For example, in an accident that occurred in May 1998 in Tokyo, four were seriously injured including two females aged 65 and 73.…”