Prepare for your Next ASU OLLI Adventure!
By: Liz Pond
Do you have what you need?
“Less time packing and more time traveling!” is my motto, however, when it comes to medication and documents, slow down and make sure you have what you need!
Being over 55 is a badge of honor to be worn proudly because with it comes wisdom, maturity, and experience. Realistically, that maturity may also mean daily medication, or at least supplements, to stay healthy and energetic as we explore the globe.
Here are some of my recommended tips:
MEDICATIONS:
- Always keep medications with you in your backpack, purse, or personal item for air travel. Please don’t put them in a suitcase because you may need them on the plane and even a carry-on bag can get gate checked. Keep in mind flights get canceled, baggage delays happen, and luggage does not always arrive with you.
- Whenever possible, keep medications in their prescription containers. This is helpful at customs and in the rare case when you are searching out a pharmacy or medical facility while traveling.
- If you bring creams, know that these may be considered a liquid, and keep in mind the “no more than three oz” rule.
- If you store vitamins and medications with your suitcases or in travel cubes, place them on a high shelf out of reach of animals, kids or grandkids when visiting their homes.
- Do your research. Don’t assume your medication is allowed in other countries. Some places in Europe or the Middle East forbid medications commonly prescribed by doctors in the United States. It’s critical to follow all suggested guidelines of the country.
- Plan ahead. Verify if any vaccines are required and how far in advance it is recommended you get them.
- Some prescriptions must be started before you leave. One example of this is malaria medication which can have a week or two lead time. Altitude pills must also be started before you arrive to provide protection from altitude sickness.
- Talk to your doctor about travel medication instructions and alternatives if your medication is not allowed in the part of the globe you plan to explore.
- Stay organized! I have medication reminders listed in my phone and physically written on the packing cube that slides in my backpack. I have a dedicated space in the bag that I use specifically for medication and supplements.
- Use caution when pre-packing medications. You know from my previous blog submission on, “Speed Packing“ that I love the pre-packed cubes for travel. Medication is an exception. Medications are not something to prepack because it’s essential that they be current.
- Medications change, so be careful to pack the most up to date dosage. Also, bring more than you need for the trip because flights can be cancelled and it’s not always easy to get medication on the road. I always take at least an extra week’s supply and this has come in handy on numerous occasions.
DOCUMENTS:
- Keep prescriptions with you physically or digitally along with your travel insurance information. Digital or physical copies of your travel insurance are important documents to have easily accessible.
- When it comes to documents, ask the experts! Knowing what’s covered in your policies is critical. Take the time to find out what your medical insurance covers internationally and potentially your credit card insurance benefits. If you are renting a car, investigate what insurance coverage your credit card and auto policy have prior to travel. Do your homework before take off to avoid surprises or double paying for insurance. You may want the kind of insurance that just covers lost bags or cancelled flights. Or you may need a plan that will airlift you off a cruise ship if there is a medical emergency, or evacuate your family if the area you are traveling to becomes dangerous. Travel insurance is not one size fits all. Find out what’s already built into your trip by the travel planner and what’s not.
- Once you have an insurance plan, share it with a contact at home and a travel companion so no time is wasted in the unlikely case it is needed.
- If you travel several times a year, it is often less expensive to have an annual travel insurance plan than to buy insurance for each individual trip. Because I have an annual travel insurance plan, I only need to update the insurance information I carry once a year.
- Keep a travel document checklist in your phone and physically written on a designated packing cube, just like the medicine reminder. Travel insurance information and associated emergency plan contact numbers get a prime spot with my travel documents.
- Passport, passport copy, required country visas, Real ID, Global Entry Card, boarding pass, cruise or tour documents are all standard on my list. It’s best to keep the passport copy somewhere other than with your passport so if the passport is lost they are not together. I also leave duplicate copies of prescriptions, insurance, passports and travel documents with a family member at home in case things are lost or stolen.
- Make sure to check passport expiration dates to confirm that you will have an adequate number of months based on the rules of the country you're visiting. If your passport will only be valid two months after entry into a country and the requirement is ninety days you will need to get a renewal passport well before departure.
- Use caution if you elect to keep a digital copy of your passport because if your personal information from your phone is stolen during a trip, this could lead to trouble. Often the digital copy is with the person I trust at home who can send it to me if a situation occurs. Along the lines of digital security, using a RFID sleeve, wallet and card technology helps keep credit card information from getting into the hands of digital thieves.
- Keep an “app checklist”! (1) Often important documents can be accessed via apps. I take time to download or refresh important apps that I may need on the trip. Credit card apps allow us to easily let them know we are out of the country and to accept our charges without lengthy phone calls. And be mindful to only use cards with no foreign transaction fees if possible.
- For grandparents or parents traveling with underage children, additional documentation is needed If both parents are not present when going outside the country. Often notarized permissions or legal custody documents are required.
- It’s important to know what documents are necessary to leave the United States and what rules apply to each country. Some countries need immunization records. Others don’t allow entrance if you recently visited specific countries. One of the best ways to navigate the travel advisories and requirements is to use the various government travel sites and the STEP (The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) which helps track where you are if you have any significant medical, legal or financial difficulties abroad. In an emergency STEP can also help with friends and family communication among other things. I often get push notifications from STEP on places where I plan to travel.
BOTTOM LINE:
Give yourself the gift of time with medications and documents. Traveling is one of the most rewarding things we can do in our lifetime. Spend some time pre-trip planning so your actual focus on vacation is to get out there and live!
Traveling light is an easily achieved state of mind when you’re well prepared and know you have everything you need for a successful trip!
“Of all the books in the world, the best stories are found between the pages of a passport” -- Saber Ben Hassen
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Some websites that help you stay informed when you're traveling:
- https://travel.state.gov for travel advisories, check lists,
- https://mytravel.state.gov for Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
- https://USA.gov to learn about VISA requirements, trusted traveler programs, international drivers license requirements and document authentication.
- https://wwwnc.cdc.gov to research health information where you're traveling and understand how to build a travel health kit.
- www.who.int/health-topics/travel-and-health which also provides global health information and recommendations for travelers.
A WORD ON APPS - They can be helpful in many ways!
- Think through how you are going to communicate with loved ones at home. Perhaps you have an unlimited global text plan, or you purchased something for the duration of your trip. Downloading WhatsApp and using hotel or coffeeshop internet is another inexpensive alternative.
- Every airline has their own app and making sure it’s downloaded before your flight gives you access to free entertainment in most cases. If you join their mileage program this often unlocks additional perks. Cruise Lines and hotel apps unlock a myriad of things including rewards, ease of check-in, and access to event calendars.
- Do you have the right rideshare or taxi app for where you are traveling? Uber is banned in some countries. Better to know before you go!
- Language apps are useful, streaming apps are a personal choice given the right access to the internet.
- Navigation apps often work surprisingly well when you let yourself wander and explore the world, but need help getting back to the hotel.
- Even the travel insurance company has an app. Where you can easily locate your policy from the road.
- Final tip, make sure you have all the passwords sorted before you set sail.
