Plan carefully for holiday travel with people with Alzheimer’s
If a person has Alzheimer’s or other dementia, it doesn’t mean he or she can no longer participate in meaningful activities, including traveling for the holidays. However, it does require planning to ensure safety and enjoyment for everyone.
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If a person has Alzheimer’s or other dementia, it doesn’t mean he or she can no longer participate in meaningful activities such as travel; but it does require planning to ensure safety and enjoyment for everyone.
Deciding to travel
Whether taking a short trip to see friends and family or traveling a far distance for vacation, it’s important to consider the difficulties and benefits of travel for a person with dementia. In the early stages of dementia, a person may still enjoy traveling. As the disease progresses, travel may become too overwhelming.
When you take into account the needs, abilities, safety and preferences of the person with dementia, what’s the best mode of travel? Consider the following:
- Go with the option that provides the most comfort and the least anxiety.
- Stick with the familiar. Travel to known destinations that involve as few changes in daily routine as possible. Try to visit places that were familiar before the onset of dementia.
- Keep in mind that there may come a time when traveling is too disorienting or stressful for the person with dementia.
Tips for a safe trip
Changes in environment can trigger wandering. Even for a person in the early stages, new environments may be more difficult to navigate. Keep the person safe by taking precautions, such as enrolling in MedicAlert® + Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return®, Comfort Zone® or Comfort Zone Check-In®
Read more: http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-and-traveling.asp?WT.mc_id=enews2012_12_12#ixzz2F3m54W1h
If you will be at a location for an extended period of time, consider contacting the local Alzheimer’s Association for resources and support.
Find a chapter anywhere in the United States.
Read more: http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-and-traveling.asp?WT.mc_id=enews2012_12_12#ixzz2F3m83oDH
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Read more: http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-and-traveling.asp?WT.mc_id=enews2012_12_12#ixzz2F3m9y0kk
Documents to Take with You when Traveling
- Doctors’ names and contact information
- A list of current medications and dosages
- Phone numbers and addresses of the local police and fire departments, hospitals and poison control
- A list of food or drug allergies
- Copies of legal papers (living will, advanced directives, power of attorney, etc.)
- Names and contact information of friends and family members to call in case of an emergency
- Insurance information (policy number, member name)
Tips for a safe trip
Traveling in airports requires plenty of focus and attention. At times, the level of activity can be distracting, overwhelming or difficult to understand for someone with dementia. If you are traveling by plane, keep the following in mind:
- Avoid scheduling flights that require tight connections. Ask about airport escort services that can help you get from place to place.
- Inform the airline and airport medical service department ahead of time of your needs to make sure they can help you. Most airlines will work with you to accommodate special needs.
- If appropriate, tell airport employees, screeners and in-flight crew members that you are traveling with someone who has dementia.
- Even if walking is not difficult, consider requesting a wheelchair so that an airport employee is assigned to help you get from place to place.
- Allow for extra time.
Read more: http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-and-traveling.asp?WT.mc_id=enews2012_12_12#ixzz2F3mICy6b
http://www.optimumseniorcare.com/services/alzheimerscare.php