Senior Spotlight: Traveling with Dementia

Travel can be a beautiful thing… yet also a stressful and chaotic experience under the best of circumstances. But for those with dementia, it can be even more overwhelming and anxiety-inducing, causing many potentially positive experiences to be stopped before they start. First, we encourage you and your loved ones to speak with your medical team before deciding if traveling with dementia is an option at all. Second, we wanted to share 5 resources to help guide your planning and prepare for potential challenges. See what you think!

Going the Distance: Traveling With a Loved One Who Has Dementia (An article from Next Avenue)

This read starts off by sharing the experience of the author who discovered that a simple one-night stay with her mother with dementia was anything but simple. She reveals what she learned, what she could have done better and how ‘finding the familiar’ and ‘simplifying the experience’ are key. A good & easy read! 

Traveling: A Guide From The Alzheimer's Association 

This resource offers tips for a calm traveling experience, general travel considerations, specifics for seeing family and friends, a section on air travel and even a bit on traveling alone. Very worthwhile! 

Tips for Traveling With Dementia From The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America

This short but informative read starts off by addressing how to determine IF travel is even an option for your loved one and then lists 5 considerations for trip planning. At the end there is even access to a helpline for support on this topic and many others. Save this! 

Dementia Travel: Support for the Family Caregiver (From The Ageless Traveler Podcast 

Right from the podcast hosts: “Discover practical strategies for managing stress, navigating airports, and ensuring a smooth journey. Whether you're planning a trip with your loved one or seeking a much-needed respite, this episode is packed with insights to make your travel experience joyful and feasible.”

Travel Well with Dementia: Essential Tips to Enjoy the Journey (A highly recommended book on Amazon) 

Written in 2019, this book addresses the stressors brought on by travel and shares strategies to adapt them for those living with dementia. Author Jan Dougherty, MS, RN, FAAN is a nurse leader, innovator, and noted dementia care expert.

We hope that the resources above offer insight and guidance if you have a loved one with dementia and are deciding if travel is an option, what to expect and how to mitigate stressors and responses. Do not forget about support, planning and care for yourself too!

All my best,

Bobbi 

Bobbi Decker
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