Caring for a person with dementia has its challenges, even when you’re providing care in a setting that is familiar to them. The prospect of traveling with a person with dementia, then, can be rather daunting. However, with careful preparation and a little know-how, traveling can prove to be an enjoyable and rewarding experience for both the loved one and the caregiver. Here are five simple tips that can make traveling with a loved one who has dementia a safe and pleasantly memorable experience.
If at all possible, avoid long car or plane rides. Four hours is a good guideline to follow. Bring along items that are familiar to the person with dementia, such as games, hobby materials, music, photos, or other distractions, in case your loved one becomes agitated. If any alternative therapies for symptoms of dementia have been successful at home, bring along items needed to provide these therapies while you’re traveling. For instance, if aromatherapy works to calm your loved one when they are escalating, make sure to have some soothing essential oils on hand during your trip.
If someone who isn’t accustomed to being around people with dementia will be traveling with you, make sure to brief them on how to best interact with your loved one or how to respond if they become agitated. This is especially true if you are traveling with children. Talking to a child about dementia doesn’t have to be heavy-hearted. A simple light-hearted breakdown of possible behaviors to expect can help the person with dementia, as well as the child, to feel more at ease with each other.
Traveling brings unfamiliar surroundings. Even with close supervision, a person with dementia may become confused and wander away from their caregiver. Make sure that your loved has both an ID bracelet and necklace that includes your cell phone number and any other pertinent information. It is also a good idea to enroll in a program such as MedicAlert + Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return, or a similar program in the area of your travel destination. Additionally, ensure that you have all important documents with you, in one place, at all times while traveling. Generally, these documents will include, but aren’t limited to, a list of all medications and dosages, food and drug allergies, and copies of legal papers. If your loved one’s primary healthcare provider uses electronic care plan software, be sure to ask for copies of their care plan.
Be rested and prepared
When traveling with a person with dementia, caregivers need to be well-rested and clear-minded in order to reduce the chances of wandering and agitation. This means that you should practice self-care before traveling by getting plenty of rest, eating well, and making sure that your home will be safe and sound while you’re away. It’s a good idea to have a pre-travel home checklist that includes things like considering your HVAC system and programming its thermostat so that you’re not heating or cooling an empty house while traveling.
Believe it or not, you can find vacation accommodation that makes it easier for caregivers to relax. There are respite cottages and hotels with things like planned dementia programming, 24-hr nursing staff, list of bus rental companies, emergency call systems in each room, and impeccable accessibility features. Click here to see a few options.
This post was last modified on December 22, 2020 1:31 pm
The pouty, full-lipped look has become an enduring symbol of allure, beauty, and confidence. Celebrities like Angelina Jolie and Scarlett… Read More
In today's fitness landscape, there's a growing recognition that true health and wellness extend beyond just physical strength and muscle… Read More
In an era where self-care and wellness are paramount, red light therapy emerges as a revolutionary solution, promising a myriad… Read More
Achieving smooth, healthy, radiant skin relies on more than hope alone. A practical understanding of science-backed care principles combined with… Read More
Are you feeling lost in a swirl of healthcare rights and legal protections? The law can feel frustrating and confusing,… Read More
As a dentist, simply sticking a sign outside your clinic isn't enough to attract new patients nowadays. Social media has… Read More
In a world full of distractions and demands, productivity is the golden ticket to achieving more in less time. Luckily,… Read More
Back pain is a common issue, whether caused by muscle strain, poor posture, or other underlying causes. We will explore… Read More
Living with peripheral neuropathy can be challenging, but there's hope. Whether you're dealing with tingling, numbness, or sharp pain in… Read More
One of the most profound differences between vaping and smoking is that there isn’t just one way to vape. When… Read More