Traveling and Dementia. Top 4 Tips For A Successful Trip.

This summer, many families will be planning much-needed vacations, especially as many of these holidays may have been disrupted by the Covid 19 pandemic. Some families may be considering traveling with a loved one who has been diagnosed with dementia or who is otherwise showing some cognitive changes or challenges.

Traveling with a family member who has dementia can be challenging for many reasons, not the least of which is disruption of the loved one’s routine, especially if traveling across time zones. Changes in meal and medication times, sleep schedule and daily patterns can be disorienting for people experiencing cognitive challenges, as can variation from the familiar environment. Other factors such as stress, fatigue, dehydration (which is common when flying), and overstimulation can amplify cognitive challenges and increase confusion.

In this blog, I will provide my top four tips for traveling with a loved one with dementia.

Tip #1

Is traveling in the best interest of your loved one?

The first tip is to consider whether it is best for your loved one to participate in the vacation or travel at all. I recommend that you talk to his or her primary care physician to get their opinion on whether or not traveling is a good idea. In lieu of joining you on your travels, your loved one can stay with another family member or friend while you’re away or enjoy a respite stay at an appropriate assisted living facility (We Care Senior Living Advisors can assist you in finding respite care).

Ultimately, if you choose for your loved one to travel with you, it is important to ensure that your expectations for the trip are in line with his or her capabilities.  For individuals with mild dementia, it is recommended that you provide some supervision and support, especially in new and unfamiliar areas. You should also remember that your loved one may experience reduced mental stamina and may not be able to engage in all planned activities. Frequent rest breaks and down time should be planned in all cases.

For loved ones with more progressed dementia, it is reasonable to expect some level of confusion and disorientation that is often worse at night. A high level of support and supervision may be necessary. For example, even a short trip down the hallway to the ice machine in a hotel can be a challenge for an individual with progressed dementia, making it difficult to find the way back to the room.

Tip #2

Reduce Stress

When traveling with a family member with dementia, it is imperative that you try to limit stress as much as possible. Traveling, especially these days, can be quite stressful, with heavier traffic and chaos at the airport. It is especially important that you try not to rush and plan for extra time at every step along the way. An individual with dementia will process information much more slowly and common activities associated with a trip such as packing, gathering documents and identification, transitions between locations or airport terminals, and getting through security, will invariably take longer.

To reduce stress, take advantage of transportation and mobility services that are offered at locations such as the airport. You can also notify an airline in advance of your loved one’s need for extra support and they can help to facilitate additional services.

Tip #3

Control the things that can be controlled

We all know that there are many things that are out of our control when traveling. However, it is important to be proactive and identify what can be done in support of a loved one with cognitive challenges. One significant area that can be planned for is ensuring that you and your family are eating healthily and staying properly hydrated by drinking plenty of water and avoiding alcohol.

Another aspect that can often be controlled (at least to some extent) is the type, duration, and frequency of visits. Discuss with your family members and friends the importance of not overscheduling or overstimulating your loved one, as large group visits can be quite challenging and overwhelming. If completely avoiding these types of visits is not possible, reducing the frequency and/or duration of visits can go a long way toward making visits positive experiences for your loved one.

As much as possible, it is also important to plan for a consistent bedtime to provide opportunity for rest and recovery.

Tip #4

Be prepared in case a loved one may become lost

As previously mentioned, proper supervision and support is critical. It is also recommended that you equip your loved one with identification, such as a bracelet, that includes contact information and phone numbers. Pack a few copies of an updated photo of your loved one. In the event that he or she wanders off, these items will help staff and law enforcement reunite you as quickly as possible.

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Having dementia does not mean that an individual should miss out on meaningful activities. By planning ahead and putting some thought into the details, the whole family can enjoy a fun and successful vacation.