Now is the time that many of us make plans to take a vacation, travel and sight see, and visit loved ones. But it can be also especially difficult for seniors who want to do all of the things they used to do, but may be need a little more assistance because of Alzheimer’s.
With a little planning ahead of time and lots of support from family and friends, older adults can still experience the beauty of the season and recreational times that go along with it. The safety and enjoyment of you and your loved ones is always the number one priority for Freedom Home Care – here’s a few tips that could help you make the most of your next trip.
Before You Go:
The Alzheimer’s Association recommends that people with the disease should not travel alone. But even in the early stages, Alzheimer’s can cause a person to become confused, disoriented or agitated. So it’s a good idea to plan to vacation with your loved one.
It can be daunting to be in a new it familiar place where there’s lots of people and many things happening at the same time. Anyone would feel a little overwhelmed by being in a situation like this and seniors who suffer from Alzheimer’s tend to feel lost or confused when they’re not familiar with their surroundings or experiencing a change in environment.
The Safe Return Program is a 24 hour nationwide emergency response service that will locate adults with dementia who have wandered off. Other helpful programs Freedom Home Care suggests that cater to seniors with memory-loss are MedicAlert and Comfort Zone. And as always, it’s best to register for these services before you actually need them.
Be sure to have a list of contacts and all necessary documents and medications on hand prior to your trip. Many times a person with Alzheimer’s can forget names and phone numbers and should have this information on hand in case they need it. This should be kept in a safe place at all times.
If you are traveling with your loved one be sure to keep itineraries, tickets, and IDs, and important information in your possession to avoid being lost. Consider the specific needs of the person traveling with dementia. In the later stages, dementia could cause wandering, physical or verbal aggression, crying, yelling or screaming, delusion, paranoia, and even problems managing continence.
It’s a good idea to take short trips that are close to home or in a familiar setting. Also, take into consideration whether they will need help doing things that they would normally do alone. If so, then it’s best that someone is there to help. Some agencies specialize in caregiver assistance to take the place of a friend or family member who can’t accompany seniors with Alzheimers.
What is the best way to travel?
It’s hard to know how your loved one will respond on your trip, and determining the best way to get to your destination can make all the difference on your vacation. Finally, planning activities that include a consistent routine will help reduce the chances of confusion and disorientation and ensure an enjoyable trip for everyone.
For more tips and info on our alzheimer’s care, please contact us!
