Dementia Tips-Holiday Series - Travel Tips

Traveling can be challenging when someone has Dementia and may not be restful and relaxing. The individual with Dementia may function well in a familiar place, however, travel disrupts all the sameness and familiarity and may be frightening to the individual with Dementia. Clearly travel is possible, but it involves considerable planning on the part of the caregiver. 

• Allow extra time. 

• Be sure your client or loved one is wearing an identification bracelet. 

• Carry important documents and medications with you. 

• Consider staying in a hotel rather than with relatives. A hotel can give your loved one a calm place to go when the trip becomes hectic. They may also be able to stick to their routine better in a hotel.  

• Create an itinerary for emergency contacts. Make your own itinerary and distribute it to family and friends while also keeping a copy with you at all times. The itinerary should detail your emergency phone numbers, flight numbers, medication needs, travel times and any other pertinent information. Keep it easily accessible to quickly find, to make the day of travel much smoother. 

• Keep surroundings as familiar as possible. 

• Keep travel time to less than four hours. Limit connections and layovers. 

• If your drive or flight is longer than four hours, have activities, snacks, and photos  prepared to keep your loved one busy during the travel time. 

• Set realistic expectations. 

• Locate and use the family restroom in public locations.