Travel tips for older travelers

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - A nice vacation can turn bad quickly if you get sick or hurt while you're away.

Savvy Senior has some tips to make sure you're prepared while traveling.

Be prepared

Before you leave, talk with your doctor about your trip and what you plan to do. Your doctor can help you with the precautions you need to take before you leave. You should also have your doctor's contact information and a list of medications you're taking in case you need medical care while traveling.

You could also locate health clinics or urgent care facilities near your destination. Your hotel may be able to help or you could search the web for more information. If abroad, the U.S. consulate or embassy in the country your visiting can offer you a referral. You could also use the International Society of Travel Medicine's directory.

If your leaving the United States, you'll also need to learn of the health conditions of the country you're going to and what, if any, vaccinations and/or preventative medications are recommended. Visit CDC.gov/travel or call 800-232-4636 for more information.

Check your insurance

If you have private health insurance or a Medicare Advantage plan through HMO or PPO that only covers in-network doctors, look over your plan and figure out what's covered in case need medical care while traveling.

Beneficiaries that have original Medicare should be covered anywhere in the Unites States. If you're traveling abroad, you won't be covered outside the U.S. and its territories except in rare circumstances, although some Medicare Advantage plans and some Medigap supplemental policies do offer limited coverage. The majority of private health plans won't pay health care costs outside the U.S. either, so be sure to double check.

Many retirees traveling abroad get travel insurance with medical coverage, which may cover expenses if you cancel the trip, need medical care while away or need to be evacuated for medical care. Look over your policy and make sure it covers your preexisting medical conditions. To shop and compare policies, visit TravelInsurance.com, InsureMyTrip.com, or SquareMouth.com.

Organize your medications

Make sure you have enough of your medications to last the entire trip.

If you're flying to your destination, you will need to keep your medications in your carry-on bag, so if your checked luggage gets lost or taken somewhere else, you will still have them. Keep your medications in their original containers to get through airport security with ease. You may also bring a note from your doctor that explained why you take your medications, especially if you need syringes or other medical supplies.

Visit TSA.gov and click "Disabilities and Medical Conditions" for more information. You can also call TSA Cares at 855-787-2227 before your trip to learn more about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint.

Use your phone

You can keep a list of all your medication on your phone as well as other important health and medical information to make it easy to access and share with emergency health care providers. You can also download some useful apps onto your smartphone like Backpack Health (BackPackHealth.com) and Capzule (Capzule.com).