Travelling with Dementia – 6 ways to tell if it will work
Travelling or going on a holiday can be tricky with an older adult who has Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
This is because people with dementia respond differently depending on situations and environments they are put into. So even though they may seem to be doing fine at home, when exposed to unfamiliar factors during travel, it all may go out of plan.
Before making the decision to go on a trip or just giving up, it is necessary to evaluate the elder’s symptoms.
Firstly, here are some immediate signs that travelling with dementia is not safe:
- Later stage dementia
- Severe disorientation, confusion, or agitation
- Unsettled in crowded or loud environments
- Delusional, paranoid or inappropriate behaviour
- Frequent verbal or physical aggression
- Wandering behaviour
- Difficulty managing incontinence
- High risk of falls
If your older adult is not showing the immediate signs listed above, you may wonder if travelling is possible with them.
Ask yourself these 6 questions to find out if travelling may be safe for both you and your elder.
1. How advanced are the elder’s symptoms?
In the early stages of dementia, symptoms are less severe, and therefore a person can still enjoy travelling.
However, as the disease progresses, moving around places can be overwhelming.
So it is important to be realistic when assessing the suitability of the elderly travelling.
2. How well are you, the carer, coping with the elder’s dementia symptoms?
As a caregiver who always looks after their loved one, it is easy to overlook how you are doing.
As dreamy as the trip may sound, you will need to be the one to manage unexpected, challenging behaviours.
If you are currently coping well with your elder’s dementia symptoms, the chances are that you would be able to handle it during a trip.
However, if you are struggling and feeling burnt out, exposing yourself and the elderly to another challenge on a trip seems too reckless.
3. How does the elder react in crowded, loud, or confusing situations?
If the elder’s behaviour becomes out of control in public settings, travel does not seem a good idea.
You may also try observing the cause of the aggressive behaviour.
Is it the loudness or crowded rooms that upset the person?
Is it the sudden change of plans that make the person upset?
4. Is this trip worth it?
Think about what this trip would mean to you and the elderly.
Is it important enough to risk the unpredictability?
Would this give an unforgettable memory to both of you that carries more weight than just fun?
5. Where and how will you travel?
If you are travelling to a familiar place that your older adult has visited before, the trip would be easier to manage.
Also, using familiar means of transport like driving can provide more flexibility and control during travelling.
In contrast, travelling long hours on a plane can be confusing and more likely to agitate the person with dementia.
Therefore, it is worth thinking about how you would travel.
6. Do you have a support system while travelling?
It is crucial to have support taking care of your older adult while travelling to your destination.
It can be burdensome to look after another person throughout the entire trip.
Make the burden lighter by having someone else whom you trust help take care of your loved elder.
Even if travelling seems impossible, you still can enjoy quality time with your older adult.
This could be going for a drive for a few hours, eating a meal out, or staying at a local hotel.
Put on your holiday spirit and make it an enjoyable time for you and your loved one.
If you are looking for a break, you can arrange a respite care and receive assistance.
Living Waters Aged Care is here to help. Please contact us to receive help.
