Traveling and retirement often go hand-in-hand. Without the time restrictions of jobs, many people are able to do the things they have often put off, such as traveling. But even though you now have the time to visit the destinations you have always dreamed of, there may still be restrictions that limit your travel plans, such as your health.
It is always a good idea to visit your doctor before heading out on a trip. It can help to ensure that you are taking the proper precautions and lessen the possibility of unexpected health concerns arising on your vacation. Here are some important things you should discuss with your doctor before heading out on your next adventure:
Vaccines
Traveling to exotic locations often adds to the level of adventure on your trip, but it is important to take precautions when traveling to foreign locations. Before traveling, you should make sure you are up to date on your vaccines such as measles, mumps, rubella, flu or tetanus. Did you know that over half of the tetanus cases in the United States affect people 65 or older? It is better to be safe than sorry.
Medication
As a preventative measure, your doctor may prescribe you medicine for sicknesses that often arise while traveling such as malaria, altitude sickness, or traveler’s diarrhea. It is important to make sure these medications do not have adverse side effects with any medicines prescribed to you. It is also important to make sure your prescriptions are refilled and you are traveling with a few extra days supply in case any of your travel plans are delayed.
Injury Prevention: Injury is the most common cause of death among travelers. Some of these may seem obvious but here are a few guidelines to help minimize your risk of injury:
- Always wear a seatbelt
- Limit traveling at night, especially in cars at dark in developing countries
- Avoid small planes
But no matter how prepared you are, there are always things that may pop up so you might want to consider some travelers insurance or have extra funds saved. Many health plans do not cover treatments in foreign countries so it is important to plan ahead so you’re not stuck with the bill.
One option to consider is a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) that can be used to create a safety net for unplanned expenses. You don’t have to use the funds until they are needed which can be a very reassuring contingency plan to paying out-of-pocket for medical bills. For more information, call 1.800.976.6211.