NOTE: This article is a continuation of Traveling With a Person With Dementia: Part 1.
Now that it has been decided that traveling is a worthwhile and realistic decision, and you have begun the necessary planning and preparation stages, you may have further questions about types of travel and available resources.
Once a location has been selected, the caregiver and/or family members should look at the easiest and best mode of transportation. Choose the transportation option which would be most comfortable to the individual (for example, with the fewest stops or layovers on a flight) and that will cause the least amount of anxiety.
Travel Tips: Continued
Air Travel:
- If you are flying, you may need to tell the airline that your traveling companion has dementia. You should also think about what help the different airlines can give you and check whether the cost of any assistance is included in the price of your ticket. Many airlines can offer support from your arrival at the airport.
- If the airline cannot help, the airport may be able to. Some airports even have dementia-friendly certifications. Contact the airport or visit their website to find out about their accommodations. You can also contact the TSA helpline, TSA Cares, toll free at 1-855-787-2227, or email TSA-ContactCenter@tsa.dhs.gov to request extra assistance during the screening process.
- Avoid scheduling flights that require tight connections. If traveling through an unfamiliar airport, review a map of the facility to plan for distance between connecting flights, locations where security re-entry may be required and locate convenient locations such as restrooms.
- If walking is difficult, consider requesting a wheelchair or motorized cart so that an airport employee is assigned to help you get from place to place. Most airlines ask for at least 48 hours of notice. They may also need you to transfer to an airline wheelchair when you check in.
- Request seats close to the lavatory, and, if necessary, ask for assistance from flight staff when the person needs to use the lavatory.
- Priority boarding is often offered for people with disabilities – this would include people living with dementia. Check this with the airline or with airport staff.
- Some people with dementia may find noise-canceling headphones and familiar music calming if traveling by plane is unsettling. It could also be helpful to have some favorite snacks in case of long waits or as a distraction on the flight.
Car Travel:
- Traveling by car may be a good option for people living with dementia as it allows for more flexibility, such as being able to travel with more luggage. You can also stop for breaks when needed and plan the most suitable route for you and the person with dementia.
- If the person with dementia dislikes traveling by car, consider whether some familiar background music or an audiobook may help them to settle. If they are upset by the noise from traffic, try to travel at times when the roads will be less busy or use quieter routes.
- You may be worried that the person with dementia will do something unsafe, such as open the car doors or unbuckle their seatbelt when you are driving. If this is the case, you could consider using the safety locks in the back seat or covering the buckle on their seatbelt to make it less visible.
The Last Step of Preparation: A Good Mindset!
Once you have planned your trip, set realistic expectations, and made the appropriate arrangements, there are two important things to keep in mind.
- Be Flexible
Sometimes it doesn’t matter how much time you spend on a plan, even the best plans can sometimes end up not working out, whether the individual with dementia experiences sleep issues, sundowning (a state of confusion occurring in the late afternoon and lasting into the night), disorientation with the new environment, or ends up wandering around.
The most important thing to do is to remain calm and do your best to be a calming presence for them in the moment. According to dementia researchers, many individuals with dementia will mirror the emotions of the caregiver and/or family member, so if they remain calm, the disoriented individual will most likely stay calm too.
- Enjoy the Quality Time!
Have faith in your own knowledge, judgment and experience. No one knows the individual better than you do. While a growing number of travel organizations have oriented their employees in dealing with persons with dementia, you best understand what works and what doesn’t. Have confidence in your abilities and enjoy your special time together.
While travel and the preparation that comes with it may not be ideal and come with challenges, in the end, trips can create happy moments for everyone involved, including an individual with dementia. It’s important to enjoy the small moments — like talking, joking, and sharing meals. These moments are usually the memories you value the most, and are also the moments that can be easier on those with dementia.
Sources: The Alzheimer’s Association, Dementia Friendly America, Penn Medicine, The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, Alzheimer’s Society, AARP
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