Hiw old is too old to travel by yourself? 85?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d ask her to make sure she has insurance to cover her getting back to the states if medical issues arise while she is overseas. Does she travel on group tours or solo?

+1

Or even just get her an annual policy.

Yes, my aunt and uncle who basically travel all over the world for at least 6 months of the year have an annual policy. I will say that when my uncle broke a bone in Portugal, it was a bit of a nightmare for my aunt getting him home. But it hasn’t stopped their travel. And I 100% would rather die traveling than sitting at home.

[Anonymous]

I don't want to be ill or disabled overseas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't want to be ill or disabled overseas.

That can happen at any age. I would guess if an older person is healthy enough to travel overseas, they aren't at much more risk of a medical emergency during their vacation that anyone else.

[Anonymous]

Check she has repatriation insurance and your phone number prominently displayed. Maybe on one of those emergency bracelet thingies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hear they have hospitals in other places. And doctors too. People are kind everywhere. And if someone collapses, medical help would be called, by someone

Yeah, something might happen. Something could happen just like something could happen somewhere very ordinary, like the bathroom of her own home.

True. My mother had a heart attack while traveling in Europe. She received excellent care at the fraction of the cost (Medicare even covered part of it IIRC).

[Anonymous]

My mother is 86 and the time for her to stop traveling alone is now. She has memory and hearing issues. She had a difficult flight last summer - supposed to be a 1 hour nonstop where we dropped her off at the airport and waited until she boarded. Then it was delayed and diverted due to weather. Took 9-10 hours and in her confusion she didn’t take her luggage off the plane. She’s declined more since then so that’s her last solo flight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My mother is 86 and the time for her to stop traveling alone is now. She has memory and hearing issues. She had a difficult flight last summer - supposed to be a 1 hour nonstop where we dropped her off at the airport and waited until she boarded. Then it was delayed and diverted due to weather. Took 9-10 hours and in her confusion she didn’t take her luggage off the plane. She’s declined more since then so that’s her last solo flight.

I’ll add to that she doesn’t really use her cell phone so we didn’t know about this until the next day when we got a call about the luggage. Frankly the refusal to use the phone is the biggest safety issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mean, I would only worry about the trouble it brings you if something happens. Since she is an adult and you are not obligated to go save her from some hospital abroad, I would let her be. Just have some boundaries in mind, like, I’ll rescue her from X situation but not Y.

This, but I think the right thing to do is communicate the boundaries. We found with age our parents got more self-centered and less empathetic. it didn't matter what stressors and demands we had, they expected to do as they pleased AND have us rescue at a moment's notice. We had to make it clear what we could and could not do for them. People who only dealt with a emergency or 2 sometimes don't understand, but we have been dealing with emergencies for a decade. it becomes unsustainable and can erode your physical and mental health.

[Anonymous]

Elder abuse and scams are so common and scary.