Do’s and Don’ts for Traveling with a Senior who has Dementia

Being a caregiver for anyone can be a huge undertaking, but caring for an individual with dementia presents its own unique challenges. That’s why over the next few months we’ll be focusing on tips specifically related to dementia-related caregiving.

With summer right around the corner, many of us are gearing up to travel for summer vacations. But if you’re a caregiver, there are extra steps you will need to take to get prepared, especially if the person you’re caring for has dementia.

Here are a few tips to make your planning, packing and travel as stress-free as possible for everyone:

• DO Get Organized - Depending on where you’re traveling and how you're getting there you may need different types of identification and documentation. A little extra time spent organizing this before you leave will eliminate headaches on travel day.
  
  
• DON’T Forget Important Medical Documentation and Prescriptions - You’ll want to consider all possible scenarios and make sure that you have everything that your loved one may need in case of emergency. Pack all medical documentation (think insurance cards and medication dosage information) as well as prescriptions in a separate bag and keep it with you at all times - you don’t want to be caught in a situation where your luggage is lost and you are left without critical medication!
  
  
• DO Limit Travel Time - Travel can be stressful for anyone, and individuals living with dementia may do better on shorter trips with plenty of breaks scheduled to stop for food, the bathroom or simply to stretch their legs. We recommend limiting total travel time to 4 hours or less and consider the time of day that is typically the best for your loved one.
  
  
• DON’T Set Unrealistic Expectations - It’s important to be flexible, especially when traveling with someone who is living with dementia. While you may be anxious to reach your final destination, it is important not to overwhelm your loved one as this can quickly sour the experience for everyone.
  
  
• DO Watch Out for Wandering - When in a new or unfamiliar environment people with dementia can tend to wander. You may want to consider getting a medical identification bracelet for your loved one or enrolling in a wandering support plan to give you peace of mind and assistance in the event you are separated.
  
  
• DON’T Forget to Have Fun! - Going on vacation should be a fun and memorable experience! While there are stressful elements of traveling with someone who is living with dementia, be sure to focus on enjoying your time together.

We hope that your summer travel plans are a fun way to enjoy the beautiful weather with your loved ones! Stop back next month as we discuss 5 easy ways to lower your dementia risk.