About one in 30 of us travelling abroad requires some emergency care, nonetheless, young seniors and boomers with their aging parents continue to love to travel!

With heightened security measures plus stricter regulations by various countries, this seems an appropriate time to review some basics that can reduce risks associated with journeying outside of our country.

Getting ready: Visit your family doctor at least six weeks prior to your departure to ensure that routine immunizations (e.g. tetanus, diphtheria, polio, measles, mumps, and rubella) are up-to-date.

Some vaccinations can take a month or two to become effective and you may need necessary preventive medications (e.g. for malaria, yellow-fever vaccination).

Some countries even require proof of HIV testing specifically if you're staying longer than 90 days.

Have all dental problems treated well in advance, since these and any recent dental work may become painful when cabin air pressure changes if flying.

Before leaving, register with our Canadian Consular Services Bureau, telephone 1-800-267-6788 or e-mail travel@international.gc.ca .

(I never fail to do this since it allows them to assist in an emergency situation or inform us about a family emergency at home.)

Medication measures: Leave medications in their original, labelled containers.

Pack an extra supply and resist combining meds into a single container to save space.

Carry a copy of the original prescription or letter from your doctor explaining what the med is for, ensuring that both the generic and trade names are included.

If not a common med, check that it's legal and available in your destinations.

Carry enough syringes to last your whole trip; if you want them in your carry-on, call the airlines ahead of time. And if you usually use oxygen, do check with your family doctor.

Medical devices: Carry extra glasses and hearing-aid batteries in a carry-on.

If you wear glasses or contact lenses, carry a copy of the prescription for replacement purposes.

Wear a medical ID bracelet if you're subject to a disabling illness (e.g. epilepsy).

A pacemaker or another implanted cardiac device are effectively shielded from interference during security checks; however, the metal content of some of these, as well as certain orthopedic prostheses and braces, may trigger an alarm so have a doctor's letter ready to avoid security difficulties.

Personal wheelchairs can be accommodated on most airlines but advance notice is advisable.

Health Insurance: Don't rely on your provincial health plan to cover costs.

Out-of-country health care can be costly and your provincial health plan may cover part of the bill at best, so obtain supplementary travel insurance and understand your policy.

Some credit card companies offer health coverage but don't assume that it's automatically included or adequate.

Verify conditions, limitations and requirements before departure (e. g. does your insurance cover foreign hospitalization, medical costs, upfront payment of bills so you aren't out of pocket, what about medical evacuation to Canada or the nearest location for proper care ...).

Carry details of your insurance with you and tell someone at home and your travelling companion how to contact your insurer.

Should you need medical attention, obtain an invoice from the doctor/hospital before you leave that country as you'll have to submit original receipts for services or prescriptions received.

Travel insurance: Be sure your travel insurance package includes flight cancellation, trip interruption, and lost luggage coverage.

Driving: Obtain an International Driving Permit (from Canadian Automobile Association) and additional insurance to drive in another country since each has specific driving regulations.

Documents: Keep documents up-to-date. Keep a separate record of them in case of theft, loss. Don't carry your passport, travel tickets, identification documents, cash, credit cards and insurance papers all together. And since caregivers as travel companions for the elderly is becoming more commonplace, make sure all documents for these persons are in place too.

Emergency services: Canadian government offices abroad offer 24-hour assistance, seven days a week! Prior to leaving, call 1-800-267-6788 for a list of consular offices. If an emergency happens, from some countries you can use a toll-free number to speak to a consular officer in Ottawa or you can call collect where available to Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada in Ottawa at 613-996-8885.

You can also contact Emergency Operations Centre by e-mail sos@international.gc.ca

or if after office hours, your call will automatically be transferred to an Ottawa office (leave a message stating your full telephone number or contact address).

In either case, there will be a prompt response. Carry contact info with you.

Further info: Call Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada 1-800-267-8376 and request their free publication, "Well on Your Way" or visit www.voyage.gc.ca/publications for all 'Smart-Travel' booklets.

Visit Canadian Snowbird Association website www.snowbirds.org dedicated to improving the privileges of travelling Canadians.

Doesn't it make sense that good planning beforehand and good manners during will help you and everyone around you enjoy the travel-experience much more?

Whether cruising, flying or driving, I wish you safe adventures.

Read it on Global News: Reminders for seniors when travelling outside of Canada