Living in your senior years can be exciting – you have more leisure time and more opportunity to travel. This is a great time to see the world and experience adventure.

But if you are a senior and you take medications, there are some additional factors to consider. Being in different places, eating different foods – even dealing with different time zones – can all get rather confusing when on a medication regimen. If you are looking forward to some traveling in the near future, here are some medication management tips for you to consider.

assisted living in Venice

Unfortunately, it is estimated that only 17% of seniors take their medication properly and consistently – and that is when they are at home, in their own environment. Any adverse reactions to not taking medications on time – or at all – can be better dealt with when a doctor is close by, but makes traveling more difficult. Therefore these medication management tips are important to know.

Medication Management

  1. Make a List: Even if you have your schedule committed to memory, it is always smart to write out all of your medications and your regular schedule. When traveling, you may want to make a checklist and write down the times you took each dosage. That way if you are busy sightseeing or you miss a meal, you are on track.
  2. Plan for Transport: Some medications may need to be refrigerated, and others may need to avoid heat at all in order to remain effective. Be sure to understand the temperature requirements of the medications and make plans accordingly.
  3. Keep Medications With You: If you put pills in your luggage and it gets lost in transit, you lose your medications – and they may be hard to replace in a foreign place without access to your doctor or pharmacy. If your flight is delayed or you have to wait for your bus – you’ll have everything you need with you.
  4. Have Approvals: Traveling with prescription medication or any needles or paraphernalia may raise some issues through security. Be sure to have a doctors note outlining everything you are legally allowed to have with you. Keep prescriptions and original containers with you.
  5. Remember Time Zones: If you are traveling across time zones, be sure to ascertain when your next dosage should be – and write out your schedule based upon what actual, local times you should take your medications. Medication management is easier when you aren’t trying to do calculations based upon time zones.
  6. Watch Your Diet: Ask your doctor if you should have any concerns about new and different food or drinks (especially if you are traveling to another country). If there are any food or drink combinations to avoid, be sure to take note.
  7. Check Local Laws: Some countries have restrictions about carrying even prescription drugs across the border – in some locations, even aspirin is considered taboo. Be sure to check ahead of time, even for the most mundane of medications.
  8. Let Authorities Know: When traveling through airports, let the security authority know that you have medications with you so that they are aware before they look through your bags.

The most important thing about traveling with prescription drugs is to be prepared. Medication management is an important aspect of senior life and travel – but can be easily managed with a bit of planning.

If you live in the Venice area and are looking for adult or assisted living, call for a tour of A Banyan Residence. Our dedicated and experienced staff are committed to ensuring that your senior years are enjoyable and full of life.