Traveling With a Loved One With Dementia

Author

Arden Courts of Sarasota

Posted on

Aug 08, 2024

Book/Edition

Florida - Sarasota, Bradenton & Charlotte Counties

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Traveling can be a welcome break in routine. The excitement of being away from home is part of the fun. However, travel can be stressful and can seriously affect individuals living with dementia. When you travel, the responsibilities of caring for your loved one remain the same, but now you may have the added responsibilities which come with traveling with someone living with memory loss. Careful planning is essential for every trip, which must include plans unique for dementia caregivers.

Understanding Your Loved One’s Needs

A regular schedule and familiarity with people and surroundings are important to a person living with dementia, and any change in their routine or surroundings can cause anxiousness, agitation and increased confusion. How much a person will be affected by travel depends upon the severity of the dementia and how easily the person becomes disoriented and upset.

Early Stages of Dementia

For those in the early stages of dementia, traveling can often be an enjoyable break from routine. Can your loved one remember an upcoming trip? Are they looking forward to it? If so, then they may be able to handle the stress of travel. Visiting with family can often help to recall memories of earlier days, and the trip could be an enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

Middle Stages of Dementia

For those in the middle stages of the disease, travel may be too overwhelming. Make an honest assessment of your loved one’s current capabilities and condition. If the person living with dementia feels anxious in new places or situations, they wander, or are consistently confused or agitated, travel will probably make these symptoms worse. The changes in routine, a new environment, unfamiliar faces, and crowds are all difficult for persons with dementia, and the negative effects may continue even after returning home.

In addition, if assistance is needed in the bathroom, they are incontinent, they suffer from paranoia or delusions, have a history of falling, or are medically unstable, traveling could present challenging situations or serious health and safety risks. Speak to your doctor for guidance about any potential travel plans.

Start With a Short Trip

Trying a short trip is a great way to judge how your family member will handle travel. You’ll get a better idea of the responsibilities and challenges of caregiving while traveling. Here are some ideas:

  • Keep the travel time for your trip to just a few days and close to home, or take a day trip.
  • Take note on how your loved one reacts to riding in a car for long periods and in unfamiliar surroundings and situations.

Discovering these limitations and needs can be extremely helpful in planning a longer trip or deciding if it would be better for your loved one not to travel.

Tips for the Trip

If you decide to travel with your loved one with dementia, here are some tips to consider:

Driving Safely

Consider driving in one day—spending the night in an unfamiliar place and continuing the drive on the second day may be too upsetting and confusing for your loved one. Seat the person with dementia in the back seat with their door locked, the child door safety lock engaged and their seat belt buckled so they cannot grab the steering wheel or open the door. Do not drive with your loved one if they become agitated in the car and never leave a person with dementia alone in the car. Make regular rest stops and stay together at all times.

At the Hotel

Speak to the hotel before your arrival to arrange for special services and specific needs you will require. If staying in a hotel, book one large room with two beds and sleep in the bed closest to the door. Bring along a travel door alarm, night lights, doorknob covers, or whatever safety devices and measures you normally use. Unplug and remove all potentially dangerous items, such as the coffeemaker and unnecessary clutter.

Other Tips

While traveling, bring an activity for your loved one or play their favorite music. Bring snacks and water, too. Try to maintain as normal a schedule as possible and plan rest time and daily naps. Always keep essentials with you such as medications, travel itinerary, emergency contacts, current medical information, identification and a current photo of your loved one.

Using Respite Care

It’s important to remember that full-time caregivers need breaks, and an occasional vacation is an important part of your ability to provide the care your loved one will require in the long term. Respite care, either in your home or at a long-term care community, will provide all the care and medical supervision your loved one needs, while keeping their schedule and activities consistent. Look for a community which specializes in dementia care. Then, you will be able to relax and enjoy your travel knowing your loved one is receiving the best possible care and having a vacation of their own. 

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Arden Courts - ProMedica Memory Care Community (Sarasota)Address:5509 Swift RdSarasota, FL 34231Contact Us:Phone: 941-925-3900Fax: 941-925-7500Overview:Arden Courts Memory Care Community, located on Swift Rd in Sarasota, caters to the special needs of individuals with memory loss. Staffed by specially trained caregivers, Arden Courts cares for individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Our community features friendly common spaces, an inviting kitchen, family rooms, and walking paths within enclosed courtyards, all designed for the safety and comfort of our residents.Customized Care & Services:We recognize residents have their own individual routines, interests, capabilities, and needs. We set out to accommodate their individuality beginning with an assessment by one of our professional staff members. Working with you, we develop an individualized service plan which is regularly adjusted to meet any changes in your loved ones routine or condition.Design & Layout:After five years of research with the assistance of Johns Hopkins, Arden Courts was specially designed not only to be safe and secure but to instill a sense of home that simultaneously enables residents to stay as independent as possible while also experiencing the stimulation necessary for one to thrive while residing within the community.ProMedica Memory Care Fund:The ProMedica Memory Care Fund assists those who are coping with memory loss and supports center services and caregiver education for the enrichment of all.Our Family of Care Services:Memory CareAssisted LivingIndependent LivingProMedica Senior CareProMedica Hospitals & Providers