Summer is winding down, while the fall and winter holidays are just around the corner. And that means many seniors are fitting in a few more summer trips and thinking ahead to visiting friends and family for the holidays. Help ensure your next trip is a safe and happy one by keeping these airport safety tips for jet-setting seniors in mind. 

1. Prepare Documents Well in Advance

Sometimes, it can take a while to get everything in order for your trip, particularly if you’re traveling internationally. For instance, you should check the dates on your passport or visa. You don’t want to arrive at the airport and learn that you won’t be able to fly.

Many countries require your passport to be valid for a minimum of six months past the date you plan to return to Canada. And if you will be travelling abroad for more than three months, you might also need a visa. Getting all your documents together takes time, so you need to begin well ahead of your trip.

2. Be Sure Your Vaccines Are Up to Date

It’s important to research vaccine requirements for your destination before arriving at the airport. Some countries require specific vaccinations, such as yellow fever, in order to enter. If this is the case, you will need either documentation that you have received the required vaccines or a medical waiver from your doctor.

Seniors are at greater risk of side effects from some vaccines, like yellow fever, so talk to your doctor about the potential risks of the vaccine versus potential exposure to the disease while travelling. Then, make sure all your documentation is in order prior to arriving at the airport.

3. Keep Valuables and Medicine With You

It’s all too easy for valuables and medicine to become lost or damaged if you store it in your luggage. Whenever possible, it is best to leave valuable possessions at home to reduce the risk that they will be lost or stolen as you travel. However, if you must bring them, or if you purchase valuable items during your trip that will fit into your carry-on bags, keep them with you during your flight.

Similarly, medicine should always travel with you in the cabin to avoid temperature extremes and the possibility of becoming lost in transit. It’s important to know that you can bring your medicine and medical equipment even if it exceeds the 100 ml/100 gram or 2 carry-on bag limits. Carrying medicine that is clearly labeled will help you move quickly through security.

4. Be Ready for Screening

Screening procedures are meant to keep us all safe, but they can be challenging for seniors. However, with a little preparation, you can make airport screening a smoother process. First, spend time researching exactly what you can and cannot bring, so you don’t experience unnecessary hold-ups. 

Once you are at the airport, be sure to let the staff know if you need help lifting your baggage. Additionally, if you use mobility aids, using the family/special needs lane will help you move more quickly through security. You should also be aware that certain items require additional screening, such as casts, prosthetics, implanted medical devices, and service animals. However, you can ask for additional screening procedures to be done privately.

Be prepared for your next trip by following these airport safety tips for jet-setting seniors. And don’t forget to purchase travel insurance! Learn more here about why travel insurance important.