Every year in the spring, and again in the fall, thousands of seniors who live in the south move north for the summer, and seniors who live in the north move south for the winter. Many have done this for several years and believe they have it down to a science. Yet too many have missed some important planning.

Health status can change. It is a good idea to have a thorough checkup a few months before the planned relocation date. This way, if there is anything that should be attended to, it can be done while living at the primary residence. This is usually where the strongest support system is located. This is especially important if one spouse is caring for another. The caregiving spouse often has attended more to the needy spouse than her/himself during the months preceeding the move.

Just before the move it is also a good idea to have all current medications refilled and the prescriptions forwarded to the #2 pharmacy.

If this is the first year for a snow/sunbird temporary move, be sure to review health insurance plans to be sure they will cover care at the new address. While traditional Medicare will transfer with no problem, many Advantage programs do not. This is also the case for some Medicare supplement plans.

Additionally, before leaving confirm that there is a primary care physician at the temporary location willing to accept new patients on the senior's plan. If it is a certainty that this new physician will have to be consulted during the seasonal stay, have copies of all appropriate medical records forwarded. This way the new doctor will have necessary information available without delay.

Many seniors have carefully completed all the recommended planning documents, such as powers of attorney and living wills. They then leave these documents securely locked up in the safety deposit box when they move north or south. It is important that copies of these documents travel with the senior. If they are needed, there will not be time to collect them from a bank that is possibly hundreds or thousands of miles away. Make copies and keep them in the glove box of the car.

Make copies of any other important medical records and emergency contact information to keep in the glove box, as well. In case of illness or accident while on the road this is where emergency personnel will look.

Although it certaily is not necessary to carry every piece of business paperwork between homes, it is a good idea to let someone know where the Sunbird/Snowbird keeps important papers. If there is a problem, this person will be able to find the needed document quickly. Of course, this means that person must also have a key to the closed-up home.

Travel can be disorienting to someone in the early stages of dementia. Although it may not yet have been a problem, if someone is easily confused it is a good idea to purchase a wrist ID or Medic Alert bracelet to wear while away from home. In case of accident or illness the caregiver should also wear one identifying himself or herself as a caregiver so that the confused senior is not inadvertently left unattended in an emergency.

Enjoying a cooler summer or a warmer winter is something thousands of seniors look forward to every year. A little advance preparation will help things go more smoothly when the inevitable little medical things crop up, and will certainly help put the minds of family left behind at rest.