Caregiving is difficult, but caregiving while traveling can be more so. The good news is, with preparation, your summer travels can be easier.
During this vacation season, remember to consider how your loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia may feel or react to sudden changes in their daily routine. While your plans may include fun activities and new locations, changes such as these can cause a person with dementia to experience distress or anxiety.
Try the following tips to guide you on your summer journeys and make your summer travel plans as stress-free as possible.
Pursue your routine and provide time for travel and rest.
While traveling, try to remain as close to your loved one’s typical routine as possible. If they’re used to eating, going to bed or waking up at a certain time each day, try to maintain this schedule. On vacation this can be difficult at times, but it could reduce your loved one’s negative behavioral symptoms and make the overall experience smoother.
Keep in mind your loved one may need to take more breaks and could need more rest than other family members or friends. Try to schedule time for your loved one to rest, whether in a quiet, safe area or in the hotel room.
You’ll also want to plan to leave earlier than normal if you have scheduled plans, as you may have more interruptions than usual.
Pack the essentials.
Are there items that make your loved one with memory loss feel more comfortable or safe? Whether a doll, a special blanket, photograph or stuffed animal, you’ll want to have them on hand if needed.
If possible, consider purchasing a duplicate item – that way if their comfort item gets lost during travel, they won’t go without it when they return home.
Remember to bring along any safety items as well. From door and window alarms to nightlights and more, these items can help keep your loved one reamin safe should they want to wander or get up in the middle of the night.
Plan for emergencies.
Consider purchasing an ID bracelet so that you know where your loved one is at all times. Keep a list of emergency contacts and insurance information. Ensure you’ve packed the right medications and keep your loved one’s critical medical information close. It’s also a good idea to keep their doctor’s contact information nearby.
Begin your travels prepared with an action plan should any emergencies occur. Hold a family meeting prior to travel to make sure everyone is aware of what to do if your loved one wanders, has a health emergency, or begins to experience behavioral symptoms in public.
Prepare family and friends.
Speaking of a family meeting, when traveling with a loved one with memory loss, no matter whether it’s in the early stages or later, your family may not know what to expect. Those who don’t typically have daily interaction with your loved one may not know how their Alzheimer’s disease has progressed. Inform them ahead of time and give them some tips to help support their loved one, too.
If you plan on going out without your loved one during your vacation, you’ll need to have someone available who can provide care to your loved one. Whether it’s a family member or friend, it will need to be someone your loved one is comfortable with and who can support your loved one while you’re gone.
Pick dementia-friendly activities.
Being aware of your loved one’s preferences and comfort level is important, especially when it comes to planning activities. If during your travels you plan on exploring the area, make sure to:
- Do it during the time of day when your loved one is typically at their best.
- Avoid crowds to prevent confusion, anxiety and wandering.
- Schedule activities they enjoyed when they were a child so you have the opportunity to reminisce.
Protect from sun and dehydration.
The sun can make some outdoor experiences unsafe; however, there are ways to make them safer.
Be sure your loved one drinks plenty of water, dresses appropriately for the weather, and wears plenty of sunscreen. Not only can these safety practices prevent sunburn, but they can also help protect against heat illnesses, exhaustion and stroke.
If you’re planning outdoor activities, schedule them in the early morning or early evening hours when the sun is not so strong. If you can’t plan around this, make sure a shaded area is available for reprieve from hot temperatures, and have plenty of water on hand for hydration.
Supporting People with Dementia and Family Caregivers
At Bridges® by EPOCH, we’re happy to make your travels easier. For additional tips when caring for a loved one with memory loss, contact the community nearest you today.
Enhancing Quality of Life
Bridges® by EPOCH memory care communities have been developed from the ground up to anticipate, meet and exceed the needs of our residents and their families. Our team of remarkable people, the exceptional care and services we offer, and the purposeful design of our buildings all combine to create the most rewarding, secure and nurturing lifestyle possible for our residents.
Bridges® communities are in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, in the following towns: Norwalk, CT; Stamford, CT; Trumbull, CT; Andover, MA; Hingham, MA; Lexington, MA; Mashpee, MA; Pembroke, MA; Sudbury, MA; Westford, MA; Westwood, MA; and Nashua, NH.
Bridges® by EPOCH is New England’s largest stand-alone memory care assisted living provider.