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Dementia travel
A trip. Sounds like fun! And, it’s more challenging when you travel with a companion who has dementia. But with forethought and planning, you can avoid or readily address common problems.
Is travel realistic?
If you are considering a trip with your loved one, do yourself a favor and reflect on the realities of travel when a person has dementia. The disease is likely to be a prominent third guest in your plans, requiring consideration every step of the way. The disruption may make this less of a “vacation” than you had hoped. Changes to routine and not having the usual resources at the ready could prompt upsetting behaviors from your loved one, resulting in greater stress for you.
Consider these questions before buying your tickets:
- Does your relative get easily agitated, disoriented, or wander? If these problems occur at home, they are likely to be worse when traveling.
- How does your loved one do with day trips? How long can they stay seated and belted in? Are they easily distressed in new places? In crowds? Do you know strategies to help soothe them when not at home?
- Has the doctor signed off on the trip? Any reservations or concerns?
- What is the best mode of transportation? A car allows more flexibility for start and stop. A train relieves you of driving but is public, slower, and difficult if your relative has balance issues. It’s also potentially overstimulating for a person with dementia. Likewise, airports can be distressing. Try flying from smaller, less-busy airports and take advantage of helpful airline services.
- Can you provide a home base at your destination? Can you retain many of your daily routines in a new location? Will there be a quiet room where you are staying? A hotel room away from the hubbub of kids might be an important refuge.
- Are your plans flexible? If your loved one is having a bad day, can you sit the activities out? Can you build in a gap day between arrival and big events?
- Who is the trip for? You? Your loved one? Friends or family at your destination? Especially if it’s been a while since you traveled together, it could be that the disease has progressed to a point that merits significant reevaluation. Honestly ask yourself, “Is this trip realistic?” Might you be better off planning for someone to stay with your loved one so you can go off on your own? Perhaps it’s better for family to come visit you. Be open to alternate possibilities.
Packing for the trip
Things to do a few weeks ahead
- Get an ID bracelet for you and your loved one. In the confusion of crowds, it’s easy for people with dementia to get lost or wander. For their bracelet, note dementia and have instructions to call you on your mobile phone. Yours is in case something should happen to you. Note you are a caregiver of a person with dementia and provide the phone number of a relative who can advise authorities regarding your loved one.
- Purchase a GPS tracking device, ideally for your relative’s shoes. They are less likely to be left behind than a backpack or sweater.
- Have a current photo of your loved one. This will help in the case of separation. You might also consider a laminated card stating your loved one’s name, gender, height/weight, and “Alzheimer’s” or “memory problems.” Discreetly show this to airline personnel, hotel clerks, waiters, or other hospitality staff. They will likely offer you additional assistance or services. At the least, they will be more patient.
Packing your bags
- Carry a day bag. Keep it with you at all times (in the plane cabin, for instance). Pack in it a comfort object or lap-size activity for distraction, snacks, medicines, underwear pads, and a change of clothes.
- Documents and emergency contacts. Also bring along basic medical information: Current list of medications and allergies. Primary doctor contact information. Insurance information. Copies of your loved one’s advance directive and power of attorney. Add to this the names/contact information of friends/family to be called in case of emergency.
Navigating the airport
Your job on travel day is to keep the process as calm and unhurried as possible. If you are rushing, flustered, and anxious, your loved one will mirror that anxiety and become agitated, too. Preplanning and ample use of airport support programs will make your job a lot easier.
Here are things you can do on travel day:
- Dress in layers. Being too hot or too cold can result in agitation.
- Arrive two hours early. Arrive with time to spare so you won’t be concerned about possibly missing the plane if a mishap occurs (a bathroom accident, an outburst in security…). With spaciousness of time, you can deal with things calmly as much as possible, the way you would if you were home.
- Check your luggage. You want your hands free to help your family member. Bring a day bag as your carry-on. For your relative, include a comfort object, favorite treats, and possibly a headset and DVD or CD player.
- Ask for wheelchair assistance. Ideally, arrange this with the airline when you purchase the tickets. But if you didn’t, check in at the counter and make the request. Even if your loved one is able bodied, it helps to have them seated (less likelihood of wandering off!). The airline staff will prove an immense help going through security, but it’s equally helpful to have their assistance when you land and deplane. Getting to baggage claim is often a long walk, with crowds bumping and jostling.
- Ask about family bathrooms. The wheelchair attendant can point them out.
- After security, attend to bodily needs. This is a great time to get some food, use the facilities, and find a quiet place to wait. A lounge is great if you have access.
- Request preboarding. Check in at the gate and ask to board with the earliest group.
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