Leonard J. Hansen

Healthy travel is key to successful adventure

By Leonard J. Hansen

Traveling across the nation or to explore the world can be worthwhile for mature adults. Traveling healthy can make the trip a great adventure where you can see more, do more and feel all the better for it. Preparing for the trip is key to the best of health for mature adults, according to Sharon B. Wingler of Willowbrook, Ill., flight attendant for 32 years with Delta Airlines, author of Travel Alone and Love It, lecturer and frequent guest expert on radio and television programs. In an interview, Wingler offered these recommendations to mature adults for the best of health while traveling: Inoculations: "At least eight weeks before traveling to exotic lands, find out if you need inoculations. Ask your doctor, or call the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta." This is an important step, in addition to assuring that your passport is valid, and if visa endorsements are required from the countries to be visited. Walking: "Many mature adults lead sedentary lives, go on a trip and don’t have the walking endurance for extensive exploring. At least eight weeks before a trip, start walking daily. A slow pace and short distance - even a few blocks - is okay at the outset, but extend the length of the walk each day until you can handle any walk easily." The advance regimen may help prevent over-exertion and other health problems while on the trip. Intestinal health: "Acidophilus is the active bacteria in yogurt which promotes intestinal health, and may prevent problems when dining on very different cuisine in some foreign countries. It serves a traveler well to consume yogurt - or acidophilus supplements available in health food stores - daily in the weeks prior to the trip and, if practical, during the trip as well." Medications: "Never put your medications in luggage which will be checked; carry it with you. Luggage can be lost and flights can be delayed." An added recommendation is to have your doctor prepare duplicate prescriptions for your medication(s) so, if there is need, you can have them filled wherever you travel. First aid: "Prepare and carry your own first aid kit. Fill a small plastic bag with aspirin, strip bandages, antibacterial ointment, antacid, decongestant, anti-diarrhea medication - anything you might need at any time. Individually-wrapped, moist towelettes come in handy for quick clean-ups." Water: "Aboard airliners, drink more water than usual. Air conditioning can dehydrate you. If you want, bring bottled water with you aboard the aircraft." Beverages: "In flight, avoid carbonated beverages because the gas expands at high altitudes, and can make you feel uncomfortable. Be aware that alcohol packs double the wallop at high altitudes and will also dehydrate you. I suggest ordering juices or bottled water. You may feel better than when completing earlier jet trips." Oxygen: "Mature adults requiring a supply of oxygen can travel by air; but must notify the airline in advance so the arrangements can be made for bringing one’s own supply aboard or for a supplemental supply. The on-board oxygen systems are strictly for emergency situations such as decompression or heart attacks." Meals: "If diabetic, bring a supply of snacks with you aboard the airplane. Flights and regular meal service can be delayed due to conditions not controlled by the airline." Wingler offers the same advice for when traveling on tour buses. "When making your airline reservation, ask if there is a meal or snack to be served, for if you have special meal needs - such as diabetic, low cholesterol, Kosher or vegetarian - you can request such at no added cost. Airlines want to and can accommodate their traveler needs, but only if they know in advance."At your destination, continue to eat a healthy, balanced diet which includes lots of bottled water, fruit and vegetables. In third world countries, extra caution must be exercised: boil it, cook it, peel it or forget it. Contaminated water makes it dangerous to eat fresh raw produce unless it has a thick peel, such as an orange or banana. In such countries, avoid drinks with ice cubes, and brush your teeth using bottled or boiled water." There is far less concern regarding the quality of water or produce when traveling in developed countries. Exercise: "Keep your body active, particularly on long flights. Do gentle stretches while in your seat; and walk in the aisles when necessary. But, don’t take a walk during meal and beverage service or when the ride is bumpy and the fasten seat belt sign is illuminated. The only two passengers I’ve seen injured in my 32 years aboard aircraft were mature women in two separate incidents who were in the aisle during rough air. One suffered a broken leg; the other a cut on the head."Of course, when seated aboard an aircraft, keep your seat belt fastened at all times. This will prevent injury during clear-air turbulence." Health problem: "If you do become ill during your trip, notify the hotel staff if in the United States, requesting a referral to a physician or medical center. If in a foreign country, contact the U.S. Embassy, asking for a recommendation of a doctor who speaks English." Medicare does provide coverage wherever its beneficiaries are within the United States or its territories, but not in foreign countries; therefore, a travel insurance policy may be advisable in addition to other health insurance. Mature adults can discover the nation and the world and enjoy it more when traveling healthy, advises author Wingler. "We prepare for almost everything else we do, so why not prepare also for the best of health and the most activity when exploring our dream destinations." Flight attendant Wingler actively travels the United States, while in her own spirit of adventure and for her writing, she regularly ventures throughout the world. Sharon Wingler’s book, Travel Alone and Love It: A Flight Attendant’s Guide to Solo Travel, is published by Chicago Spectrum Press (ISBN: 1-886094-35-7; paperback, 160 pages; $14.95) is a fine travel guide for mature adults, and is available at booksellers nationwide. It may also be ordered on-line at http://www.amazon.com.