Travelling with someone who has dementia

I’ve been asked a number of times over the last few years, given the trips out we have made with family on whether or not to take a loved one who has dementia on trips away. My answer is an easy one as personally I would only do so if they are still in the early stages of Alzheimer’s or Dementia. If the person who has dementia is too far advanced, then the likelihood is that the problems you face or encounter will be too difficult or severe. Once they enter the moderate or latter stages of the disease then sadly their home is the best place for them to be. Those I have spoken to about this area, after they have gone away on a trip or holiday and ignored some of the warning signs have returned home saying that everything that could have went wrong did. Sometimes even the shortest of trips can bring issues, as you will find that you will need to make frequent stops so that his loved one could use the toilet or simply had to pull over in order to reduce his loved one’s anxiety was sadly increasing as the journey went on. I know there will be times when we have no choice but to go somewhere - such as going to a Family Funeral. Based on this, you will need to think about removing your loved one from their usual daily routine that they are so in touch with, as this is their comfort zone. Therefore, as Christmas is almost here and you are actually going away for Christmas and New Year and will be travelling then ensure you try some shorter trips first and see how they react to the journey. Here are my tips if I may: If your loved one tires very easily or is vulnerable to excess stimulation, then reduce the number of activities or length of time that the person is involved in the Christmas festivities.

Provide them with a "quiet room" or an area where your loved one can take a break from all the noise and confusion and get some sleep and rest.

At family get-togethers, and as things sometimes need moving around to accommodate all the guests do not rearrange the furniture as this can cause the loved one to be confused and anxious.

If the family get-together is somewhere else, remove all slippery throws or rugs and other items that could be hazards to people who have difficulty walking.

Avoid comments and conversations that may embarrass or confuse somebody with short-term memory problems.