Tips for Traveling with a Loved One with Dementia

Author

Arthur's Senior Care

For more information about the author, click to view their website: Arthur's Senior Care

Posted on

Jan 06, 2024

Book/Edition

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.

 

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Arthur's Senior Care

Assisted Living 3310 Emmert Street, Shoreview, Minnesota, 55126

Specialized CareArthur's can support almost every need for care, based on 40 years of experience caring for the medically fragile and aging population. In addition to memory care we have experience with challenging conditions such as Parkinsons, Multiple Sclerosis, ALS, Huntingtons, and PSP, as well as with ostomies, feeding tubes, nebulizers and supplemental oxygen.Memory CareThe staff at Arthurs are extensively trained in memory care and are prepared to assist through the later stages of dementia and Alzheimers. Our high staffing ratios and person-centered plans are designed to address the deep emotional and spiritual needs that, if unmet, can lead to a sense of loneliness and isolation and produce challenging behaviors.Dementia-Friendly HomesOur homes are designed in consultation with a number of experts to accommodate individuals in all stages of dementia. They look like typical homes in beautiful suburban settings, while offering features such as secured entrances, seamless neutral flooring, and blinds/drapes on the windows to minimize issues associated with Sundowners Syndrome. The walls are painted in colors that are contrasting to the fixtures (sinks, toilets, etc.) throughout the house in order to help those with dementia to locate these critical objects.On-Site Medical CareWe provide in-house RN nursing assessment and care on-call 24/7. Our RNs and caregivers work closely with Bluestone Physician Services to provide on-site doctor visits, lab tests and x-rays.  Arthurs also provides transportation and staffing for outside clinic appointments.  We facilitate clear communication between our clients, their care providers and their loved ones to ensure optimal health and continuity of care.End of Life and Hospice CareArthurs partners with proven hospice organizations to provide hospice care on-site.  Our goal is to provide dignified, comfortable palliative care to individuals and their families who are going through the end of life process.Respite CareProviding care for a loved one is the right choice for many families, but it can also be challenging at times.  We are equipped to provide respite stays while the caregivers are away or to help in recover after a health issue.  Respite stays are typically between 2 and 35 days in length.  Respite clients enjoy all of the amenities of long-term clients.  Respite stays are subject to room availability. 

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Assisted Living 1854 Alta Vista Drive, Roseville, Minnesota, 55113

Specialized CareArthur's can support almost every need for care, based on 40 years of experience caring for the medically fragile and aging population. In addition to memory care we have experience with challenging conditions such as Parkinsons, Multiple Sclerosis, ALS, Huntingtons, and PSP, as well as with ostomies, feeding tubes, nebulizers and supplemental oxygen.Memory CareThe staff at Arthurs are extensively trained in memory care and are prepared to assist through the later stages of dementia and Alzheimers. Our high staffing ratios and person-centered plans are designed to address the deep emotional and spiritual needs that, if unmet, can lead to a sense of loneliness and isolation and produce challenging behaviors.Dementia-Friendly HomesOur homes are designed in consultation with a number of experts to accommodate individuals in all stages of dementia. They look like typical homes in beautiful suburban settings, while offering features such as secured entrances, seamless neutral flooring, and blinds/drapes on the windows to minimize issues associated with Sundowners Syndrome. The walls are painted in colors that are contrasting to the fixtures (sinks, toilets, etc.) throughout the house in order to help those with dementia to locate these critical objects.On-Site Medical CareWe provide in-house RN nursing assessment and care on-call 24/7. Our RNs and caregivers work closely with Bluestone Physician Services to provide on-site doctor visits, lab tests and x-rays.  Arthurs also provides transportation and staffing for outside clinic appointments.  We facilitate clear communication between our clients, their care providers and their loved ones to ensure optimal health and continuity of care.End of Life and Hospice CareArthurs partners with proven hospice organizations to provide hospice care on-site.  Our goal is to provide dignified, comfortable palliative care to individuals and their families who are going through the end of life process.Respite CareProviding care for a loved one is the right choice for many families, but it can also be challenging at times.  We are equipped to provide respite stays while the caregivers are away or to help in recover after a health issue.  Respite stays are typically between 2 and 35 days in length.  Respite clients enjoy all of the amenities of long-term clients.  Respite stays are subject to room availability. 

Arthur's Senior Care

Memory Care 3310 Emmert Street, Shoreview, Minnesota, 55126

Specialized CareArthur's can support almost every need for care, based on 40 years of experience caring for the medically fragile and aging population. In addition to memory care we have experience with challenging conditions such as Parkinsons, Multiple Sclerosis, ALS, Huntingtons, and PSP, as well as with ostomies, feeding tubes, nebulizers and supplemental oxygen.Memory CareThe staff at Arthurs are extensively trained in memory care and are prepared to assist through the later stages of dementia and Alzheimers. Our high staffing ratios and person-centered plans are designed to address the deep emotional and spiritual needs that, if unmet, can lead to a sense of loneliness and isolation and produce challenging behaviors.Dementia-Friendly HomesOur homes are designed in consultation with a number of experts to accommodate individuals in all stages of dementia. They look like typical homes in beautiful suburban settings, while offering features such as secured entrances, seamless neutral flooring, and blinds/drapes on the windows to minimize issues associated with Sundowners Syndrome. The walls are painted in colors that are contrasting to the fixtures (sinks, toilets, etc.) throughout the house in order to help those with dementia to locate these critical objects.On-Site Medical CareWe provide in-house RN nursing assessment and care on-call 24/7. Our RNs and caregivers work closely with Bluestone Physician Services to provide on-site doctor visits, lab tests and x-rays.  Arthurs also provides transportation and staffing for outside clinic appointments.  We facilitate clear communication between our clients, their care providers and their loved ones to ensure optimal health and continuity of care.End of Life and Hospice CareArthurs partners with proven hospice organizations to provide hospice care on-site.  Our goal is to provide dignified, comfortable palliative care to individuals and their families who are going through the end of life process.Respite CareProviding care for a loved one is the right choice for many families, but it can also be challenging at times.  We are equipped to provide respite stays while the caregivers are away or to help in recover after a health issue.  Respite stays are typically between 2 and 35 days in length.  Respite clients enjoy all of the amenities of long-term clients.  Respite stays are subject to room availability.