The Five W's of Traveling with Individuals with Alzheimer's and Dementia

A getaway from life's hectic pace is a must for anyone, even seniors with a condition such as Alzheimer's or dementia. Short, leisurely trips to familiar places can, in fact, have a positive benefit on the overall health, happiness, and well-being of your aging family member or friend. So, if you're planning a trip and want to bring along a loved one in the early to mid stages of Alzheimer's or dementia, by all means do so — but not without a little preparation beforehand!

What to Pack: Trust me, the traveling kit you pack for your friend with Alzheimer's or dementia will be well-used at many points during your trip. Whether you’re traveling by plane, train, cruise ship, or car, make sure to include all the required medications, perhaps sorted in a pill dispenser unit for easy access, and important papers relating to healthcare, legal, and financial matters. The traveling kit should also contain warm clothing, such as a sweater, a light blanket or wrap, and extra undergarments should your traveling companion have an accident. Additionally, reminders from home, such as a favorite book, snacks and other treats, and something to keep him or her occupied during the trip should also be included. Make sure you pack all these items into an easy-to-carry bag to avoid having something overly bulky and in the way. Above all, always keep the bag within arm's length! You should be able to access the traveling kit quickly should your companion become restless or agitated at any point during the trip.

Where to Go: Your list of suitable travel spots should always include places your loved one is familiar with or where he or she will not feel confused or bombarded by sights, sounds, and smells that are foreign. Usually, places that evoke memories of times past are appropriate for a cognitively disabled senior who is traveling, as well as spa outings and tranquil landscape locations, such as mountains, lakes, or beaches. A current trend at assisted living facilities is Snoezelens, which are rooms dedicated to cognitive and sensory stimulation, something you may want to try to emulate during the trip. Once you've found a suitable spot to visit, your next hurdle is the places you’ll be staying, which will require research on your part. Call each hotel and speak with someone in charge, explaining your concerns about the layout of the room and access to the bathroom. Also ask about the patterns on the walls, bedspreads, and floor, which are important to be aware of since a busy pattern could be mistaken for insects or small animals and could appear to be moving to a person even in the early stages of Alzheimer's or dementia. Rooms with easy access to the bathroom are a must, much like choosing rooms without a busy motif. To avoid problems after check-in, these details must be verified in advance.

When to Travel: Knowing the right time to travel is especially important for individuals with Sundowner's Syndrome. It's usually at sunset when most caregivers notice symptoms of extreme agitation and confusion, which can last throughout the night. If you're traveling to places that are unfamiliar to both of you, make sure you limit trips to the daytime to avoid further agitation. Additionally, you should wake your loved one up at the same time each day, go to bed at the same time each night, and eat during normal meal hours. Routine is the key to maintaining a seamless trip when traveling with an individual in the early to mid stages of Alzheimer's or dementia no matter where you choose to go.

Who Can Go: Individuals with cognitive disabilities should realistically only travel in the early to mid stages of Alzheimer's or dementia to prevent extreme confusion and agitation from setting in. Before leaving, contact your local Alzheimer's Association, where you can register your loved one in its Safe Return Program¹ for a small fee. You should also inform the airline that you will be traveling with and assisting an individual who is in the early to mid stages of Alzheimer's or dementia so that everyone is on the same page. One way to make your trip a little smoother is to purchase 'Pardon My Companion' cards², which alert servers, drivers, or hotel staff to your traveling partner’s potentially erratic behaviors as well as briefly explaining Alzheimer's or dementia. Available in business card size, a 'Pardon My Companion' card is a discreet way to help the people you encounter instantly understand the situation at hand. If nothing else, ensure that your loved one always has the necessary identification on his or her person at all times during the trip.

Why It's Important: As much as you, the caregiver, need time to get away, so does your loved one. Even in the early to mid stages, Alzheimer's and dementia can be debilitating and will soon take away many of the memories you two share. Vacations have shown to be extremely helpful both cognitively and therapeutically for individuals in the early stages of Alzheimer's or dementia. Now is the time to enjoy activities, beautiful sights, tranquil views or whatever it is that makes a vacation or trip meaningful to you. With a little planning, you and your loved one can have a great trip—just remember to have fun and appreciate the memories!

¹http://www.alz.org/we_can_help_medicalert_safereturn.asp
²http://www.alz.org/eci/in_my_community_helping.asp#Pardon

Posted in Simplifying Senior Care