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Traveling With A Person Who
Has Alzheimer's Disease
Being a
caregiver doesn’t necessarily mean that you
have to give up life’s pleasures. You can
still enjoy traveling with a person who is
in the early stages of Alzheimer’s Disease.
There are two keys to success in travel:
plan well in advance and keep SAFETY your
number one consideration.
Call
your local Alzheimer’s Association and
register with the Safe Return Program.
Remember
to never leave your loved one alone
during the trip. They are much more
likely to wander in an unfamiliar
environment.
If a
situation presents itself, have a crisis
plan ready and don’t be hesitant to seek
assistance from local authorities and
emergency services.
When
preparing for bedtime at a hotel, secure
the room door.
Maintain
your daily routine such as mealtimes,
rest times and bed times as much as
possible. If you regularly take a walk
with your loved one for exercise,
continue that pattern on your trip.
Have
comfort items such as pillows, snacks
and water ready available when you
travel.
If
you are traveling by car and don’t have
child proof door locks, consider renting
or borrowing a car equipped with them.
Recruit
a friend or family member to go along
for the company and extra support.
Leave
a detailed itinerary with family or
friends. Check in with them often to let
them know you are okay.
If you still
feel that travel with your loved one may be
too difficult, consider respite care at an
assisted living facilities. Many facilities
offer this form of short-term care. A
helpful way to approach respite care with
your loved one is to tell them that they are
going on a vacation as well. Respite care
will provide quality care and meaningful
activities which will make their stay very
enjoyable and safe. You can even call the
facility while on your trip to make sure
everything is okay.
Remember
taking a break from your care giving
responsibilities can be vital for your own
mental health and physical well-being. In
the end, it can be a great benefit to both
care giver and recipient. |
