Essential Guide: Travel Insurance for Senior Travelers
Many retirees enjoy travelling somewhere warmer over the cooler months of our Canadian winters. Seniors are at a higher risk for injury and illness when travelling, which is why many savvy Saskatchewan residents prepare themselves with travel insurance for seniors. However, some unique considerations apply when reviewing travel insurance options for seniors. The right plan will depend on the person, destination, activities and pre-existing health conditions.
Why travel insurance is essential
When it comes to relying on another country’s healthcare system, it’s not worth the risk. Although we are accustomed to free healthcare as a standard in Canada, this is certainly not the case internationally. Not only can an emergency across borders potentially cost you tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket, but many countries may also require proof of emergency medical coverage for entry. Stay safe, calm and supported with travel insurance for seniors.
Risks of travel for seniors
What’s unique about the risks of travel for seniors? Not only may seniors be more susceptible to disease and injury, but some people also have pre-existing health conditions that require management as well. You might also need to consider extra accommodations, such as those for mobility, like ramps and wheelchairs.
Vaccines and diseases
Vaccines that you may have received as a younger person can have a lessened effect over time. So, before travelling, always have a conversation with your doctor about the necessary vaccines and precautions to take, particularly for your destination of choice. For example, for people sixty years or older, contracting Yellow Fever and Malaria could have more serious implications.
Altitude illness
Seniors have a decreased ability to tolerate changes in altitude. Being in good physical shape can help, as well as taking any opportunity to make transitions in altitude gradual. Heart or lung disease might make these transitions more difficult.
Temperature control
Seniors may have lower sweat production and also are more likely to have prescription medications to take. This combination can affect the body’s ability to control temperature. Heat stroke is more likely in hot environments. This can display as dizziness, confusion, headache and nausea. The same applies to cold weather. Seniors are more likely to get hypothermia, which includes shallow breathing, confusion, and shivering. There’s also an increased chance of frostbite which looks like waxy skin, numbness or tingling and stinging or pain.
Medication
While discussing travel risks with your doctor, make sure to cover your medication and ask if it’s safe to travel with it. Also discuss disease risks in the destination country. Some medications that you may take if you get sick while abroad could interact poorly with others that you might need.
Air travel risks
Seniors are more likely to develop deep vein thrombosis (DVT) as they spend long periods seated in an airplane. DVT is the development of blood clots. There’s an even higher chance of DVT if you have cancer, congestive heart failure, or if you’ve had recent surgery. Reduce the risk by standing and walking around as much as possible. Sometimes, compression socks or preventative medication can also be helpful and suggested by your physician.
Travel insurance for seniors
You want to focus on enjoying your trip. Feel prepared for the unexpected with travel insurance for seniors. With Saskatchewan Blue Cross, you can ensure that what you need is at your fingertips with the right insurance plan for your trip. The benefits of our travel insurance plans are there to help you stay safe and enjoy your travels.
Choosing travel insurance for seniors
There are a few factors that make travel insurance selections unique for seniors. We’ve outlined three aspects to choosing a travel insurance package, so you get the coverage best suited to you.
1. Outlining pre-existing health conditions
It’s crucial that you disclose any pre-existing conditions as part of your application for travel insurance. A stable condition won’t necessarily affect your coverage options. However, if you don’t disclose any pre-existing medical conditions, there may be issues when trying to make a claim.
Once you’ve disclosed your pre-existing condition(s), your coverage can be clearly outlined and you won’t bump into any obstacles when trying to get the medical help you need.
2. Securing medical repatriation
Saskatchewan Blue Cross offers travel insurance packages with medical repatriation. When struck with an illness or accident, you’ll have coverage to get transportation back to your home province and emergency medical care.
3. Ensuring emergency assistance services
On top of medical repatriation, it’s important you have access to emergency assistance whenever the time calls for it. The Blue Cross Travel Assistance Services team is available to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our team will provide the support and help you need, whatever the medical emergency.
This includes:
- Recommending a doctor, clinic, or hospital best suited to provide appropriate care for your medical condition.
- Obtaining medical information from your family physician before beginning a treatment.
- Following-up on your case by our health professionals, regardless of your age and diagnosis.
- Coordinating repatriation by ground or air ambulance or on a regular flight.
- Contacting your family upon request, in the event of an emergency.
- Arranging for a family member to travel and be at your side should you be hospitalized for three or more days.
Getting travel insurance for seniors
It’s never been easier. Choose from one of our quality travel insurance packages: Annual Plan, Individual Plan, Package Plus, Canada Package, or VIP Travel (exclusively available to personal health plan members). Find everything you need and then customize your plan if there’s extra coverage you have in mind. Travel with peace of mind. Get your quote today.