Tips for Traveling with a Loved One with Dementia
Arthur's Senior Care
For more information about the author, click to view their website: Arthur's Senior Care
Jan 06, 2024
Minnesota - Twin Cities Metro Area
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Are you planning a trip with someone
who has dementia? If their medical provider has cleared them for travel, and
the pros outweigh the cons, don’t leave home without a game plan.
Traveling from home can be daunting or
even scary. Scary for you, because their safety is in your hands. And scary for
someone with memory issues, because airports, crowds and strange surroundings
can trigger stress, agitation and confusion.
Plan for extra time
Tight deadlines and crowded airports
are not a great combo when you have memory issues. If you have a flight to
catch, arrive early. You can always stop for a leisurely bite to eat once
you’ve been through the security line.
Arrange for
accommodations
Before you book the flight, speak with
the airline. You’ll want to inform them of your loved one’s special needs and
talk over any accommodations they can provide for memory patients. Early
boarding, for example, lets your loved one settle in at their pace without
being jostled and hustled along by the crowds.
Get a wearable ID
Despite best efforts, people get
separated, especially if your loved one gets confused and walks away while
you’re trying to check in your luggage. Get a bracelet or lanyard that has your
loved one’s name along with a means to contact you (i.e. your name and mobile
number). Better yet, get involved with the Hidden Disability Sunflower Lanyard
program. The sunflower lanyard gives your loved one a discreet way to alert
airport workers that your loved one has dementia and has special needs.
Before you go, read up on the Hidden Disability Sunflower Lanyard program.
Keep things comfortably
familiar
Once you arrive, build the trip around
all things familiar. That means sticking to regular mealtimes with their
preferred foods. Consider opting for their faves, versus sampling exciting new
cuisines. Ideally, you’re headed for a place they would recognize. Tip: If you
can, pack along a few familiar objects to make their home away from home more
familiar. It can be a framed photo of a pet, a favorite lap blanket, a ceramic
cat — as long as it’s portable, replaceable and sends a signal they’re at home
base, it will do.
Consider staying in a
hotel
Staying with family can be a great way
to save money and get in some much needed quality time, but unless your host
has ample space — and firsthand knowledge of caring for someone with dementia —
your best bet is a hotel. If your loved gets stressed and overstimulated, a
hotel room can be an oasis and an escape. It can also be a welcome respite at
the end of a busy day, a place where you can finish up the daily routine in
peace and quiet.
Roll with the changes
Traveling with someone with dementia
means it’s important to expect the unexpected. They can get agitated,
disorientated and confused, which means you’ll have to be flexible and get them
to a place — like the hotel room — where they can settle and soothe. Plan
plenty of breaks and be attuned to their needs from moment to moment.
Learn more about dementia from “Insights from Arthur’s” featuring educational
videos from Arthur’s Director of Development and Senior Care Consultant Deb
Nygaard.
- To view the original version of this article visit arthursresidentialcare.com/tips-for-traveling-with-a-loved-one-with-dementia
- Seniors Blue Book was not involved in the creation of this content.
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