Assuring safe travel for today's elderly

The increased availability of time and resources has made travel attractive to many elderly patients. Both healthy and chronically ill geriatric patients can travel safely and without medical complications in many circumstances. Many of these patients, however, have special health needs that call for specific advice from practitioners. Patients with medical problems, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, thrombotic disease, sinus conditions, or diabetes, should be aware of possible complications involved in travel. In addition, medical advice regarding vaccinations, traveler's diarrhea, jet lag, and malaria prophylaxis should be tailored to this population. Such a prescribed regimen may make travel safe and feasible for many geriatric patients.