The holiday season is a time for connection, celebration, and creating memories with your loved ones. If your family is navigating dementia, traveling can bring extra challenges, but with preparation and the right mindset, it’s entirely possible to enjoy the holidays together. Here’s Lizzy Care’s guide to traveling with a loved one who has dementia, including some best practices for different methods of travel.
If you’d like personalized advice or need support creating a plan, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Lizzy Care team. We’re here to help.
Travel Preparation Is Key
Before your journey, consider these tips:
- Plan Ahead: Familiarize yourself with your travel itinerary and build in plenty of time for transitions. Crowded environments can be overwhelming and disorienting for people with dementia. Consider planning your travel during less busy times, such as weekdays or off-peak hours, to create a calmer and more manageable experience.
- Communicate: Tell travel staff, family members, and caregivers about your loved one’s needs so they can provide assistance.
- Pack Smart: Bring essentials like medications, comfortable clothing, and copies of important documents like ID, medical records and care plans.
For more help creating a checklist specific to your situation, contact us through the Lizzy Care app.
Traveling by Car
Road trips offer flexibility, making them a great option for many families. To make the journey smoother:
- Stick to Familiar Routines: Schedule breaks for meals, rest, and bathroom stops at regular intervals.
- Create a Comfortable Environment: Bring familiar items like a favorite blanket or pillow. Play soothing music or a favorite audiobook to reduce stress.
- Limit Travel Time: Avoid overly long drives that could lead to agitation. If possible, plan overnight stays for extended trips.
Traveling by Train or Bus
Public transport can be an accessible choice, but it requires careful planning.
- Choose Off-Peak Times: Traveling during quieter hours can reduce overstimulation.
- Stay Close: Sit next to your loved one and engage them in conversation or calming activities.
- Keep Essentials Accessible: Have medications, snacks, and water within easy reach.
Flying with Dementia
Air travel can be intimidating but manageable with these strategies:
- Pack the essentials: Be sure to pack essentials in your carry-on, including items to ensure comfort during delays, such as a change of clothes, toiletries, and all necessary medications. This preparation can make unexpected disruptions more manageable. Packing a few favorite snacks in your carry-on bag can be a lifesaver during long waits or as a comforting distraction during the flight.
- Request Assistance: Many airlines offer support for passengers with disabilities, such as priority boarding or wheelchair assistance.
- Prepare for Security: Let TSA agents know about your loved one’s condition to ensure a smoother process.
- Break It Down: Explain each step of the journey clearly and calmly.
- Choose your seats in advance: If the person tends to wander or needs extra assistance, consider asking airline staff to seat you in an aisle seat. This allows you to stay attentive and help if they wish to move about.
- Keep things calm: Noise-cancelling headphones paired with familiar music can be calming and provide comfort if the experience of flying feels overwhelming.
- Wheelchairs: If you or the person you’re caring for uses a wheelchair, check with the airline about their wheelchair policy. They may require a transfer to an airline-provided wheelchair at check-in.
In the event of a flight cancellation, let the airline know if the person with dementia needs a quiet place to rest. Informing the airline of medical conditions ahead of time can make it easier for them to assist you.
General Travel Tips for Dementia Care
Regardless of how you travel, these additional tips can make a big difference:
- Have an Emergency Plan: Know the nearest hospital or emergency services along your route. Carry an ID bracelet or card with your loved one’s name, condition, and an emergency contact number.
- Encourage Hydration and Snacks: Staying nourished can help prevent confusion or agitation.
- Be Patient: Travel can be unpredictable, so give yourself grace if things don’t go perfectly.
We’re Here to Help
Navigating the holidays with a loved one who has dementia is a journey of its own. Lizzy Care is here to provide guidance and resources tailored to your family’s unique needs.
For personalized travel advice or assistance creating a care plan, contact your care navigator through the Lizzy Care app or reach out to us directly. Let’s make this holiday season meaningful and enjoyable for everyone.
Happy travels from all of us at Lizzy Care!
Lizzy Care is the next generation of dementia care. We provide personal care for people living with dementia and a vast array of support for families who want to make sure their loved one is getting the best care possible. Our best-in-class app helps doctors, caregivers, and families easily stay in contact to make sure the care plan is on track and communicate important information. Please reach out if you need help caring for someone in your life who is living with dementia. Get in touch or call us at 234-567-9449.
