A Vacation Away
It’s summertime; time to take a vacation! But wait, what about mom or dad, who has Alzheimer’s disease; can we take him or her with us? Well, it all depends on the stage of your loved one’s dementia, how well they can function away. The level of care they will need for the travel, and during the vacation away.
Holidaying can be a wonderful experience for people with mild dementia. It provides them with relaxation and fun, and they feel they’re part of the family. The person with the mild to moderate stages of the disease, and the disease has not affected his or her logical thinking greatly. It may not be so difficult to have them fly or take road trips. However, travel becomes more difficult as the disease progresses and ravages the brain’s functions and processes.
Is Traveling Safe?
Traveling with someone with advanced dementia is impossible, if they easily get disoriented about time and place, anxious, and agitated. They will feel uncomfortable in unfamiliar surroundings and anxiety is present; such as they continue to ask when they are going home, then taking them on holiday won’t serve anyone’s purpose. it will be a difficult and strenuous trip for you and your loved one if they can’t function on their own with daily living tasks such as, toileting, bathing, eating and walking.
If you think a getaway would be a good thing and well received by someone with dementia.
Keep This Important Things In Mind
- Make sure the travel plans fit the person’s needs and situation (choose to drive rather than fly, or if you must fly, make sure the flight is short).
- Be prepared with checklists, all travel needs, and emergency backup plans (have a safe home away from home place planned).
- Use contacts that can help you during the travel and at the place you’re traveling to (inform airline or train staff, hotel staff, and/or doctors at the destination).
- Have a plan to keep them away from crowds and loud places.
- Organize that the travel plans are flexible and you can get home easily and quickly if necessary.
- Buy good travel insurance for your loved one with dementia.
- Build a daily routine for the trip and stick to it.
Bringing along a professional caregiver to help can help a lot.
If it seems impossible to travel with your loved one, perhaps hire a caregiver or look into a short stay respite place for your loved one for the time you’ll be away.
Bon Voyage!
Karen 🙂
Karen Tyrell, CDP, CPCA, CDCP
Dementia Solutions
