As a Dementia Navigation consultant, one common question I hear from families is whether travel is still possible for a loved one living with dementia. Together, we work to navigate potential challenges, explore dementia-friendly travel considerations, and identify helpful care tools to ensure a smoother journey. To give you a head start, I've compiled my top 5 travel tips and considerations that can help create a positive experience for both your family and your loved one.
My Top 5 Travel Tips and Considerations:
Travel Location: Traveling to a destination your loved one is familiar with can provide comfort and reduce the stress or disorientation that often accompanies travel. Opting for a location they’ve visited before can help ease this transition, and selecting a destination with minimal transit time can also prevent overwhelm. Even in familiar places, it’s important to remember that your loved one may need extra support, as they may struggle to remember the layout or find their way around. For example, you might consider posting a sign on the bathroom door where you are staying to encourage independence and reduce confusion. Sometimes, when there are multiple closed doors—such as closet, bathroom, and exterior doors—it can be easy for your loved one to become disoriented. If they get up in the night to use the bathroom, they might mistakenly enter a closet or leave the room entirely in search of the bathroom. Additionally, you may post a sign on the closet door as well to eliminate confusion.
Set Realistic Expectations: It’s important to mentally prepare yourself that things may not always go according to plan. Your loved one might not want to participate in an activity you’ve scheduled or may repeatedly ask where they are or say they want to go home. These moments can feel disheartening, but don’t let them overshadow the experience. Sometimes, the best memories come from simply being together and enjoying the quality time, rather than from an adventure or excursion. Patience and flexibility are key.
“Travel is the only thing you can spend money on that will make you richer.” - unknown
Travel Preparation: Preparation is key to ensuring a smoother experience. Pack all necessary medications with a few extra in case of an emergency. Have lists with updated medication information with dosages, medical conditions, food or drug allergies, healthcare provider information, and copies of any important legal documents. It can also be important for your loved one to wear safety identification such as an ID bracelet or necklace that includes name: condition, emergency contact name, and emergency contact phone number. The same ID information can be placed in a wallet or purse.
Pack Travel Comforts: Pack items that provide your loved one comfort or a sense of calm. For example, over the ear headphones with their favorite music, a cozy blanket, their favorite sweatshirt or cardigan. You may also pack their favorite cognitive stimulation items like coloring books, word searches, crosswords, books, or photo albums. Make sure also to pack water and their favorite familiar snacks.
Stick to a Flexible Daily Plan: While maintaining routine is important, vacations often bring unexpected changes and disruptions. Try to stick to a basic sleep schedule, allowing for more downtime in between activities. A good balance between sightseeing and rest is key to preventing fatigue or stress. Consider doing any sightseeing or major activities in the morning when energy is at its peak, and schedule time for rest in the afternoon. An early dinner, away from crowded, overstimulating environments, can also help everyone feel more relaxed.
By planning thoughtfully and adjusting expectations, you can create meaningful and fulfilling experiences while traveling with a loved one who has dementia. With the right approach, travel can become a rewarding and enriching journey for everyone involved.
Interested in downloading a consolidated list of travel tips to have on hand along with a QR code to my favorite dementia friendly travel items? Just click the button below!
Helpful Travel Tools Designed With You In Mind
To make your travel experience even smoother, I’ve compiled a list of helpful tools and resources that I recommend for families traveling with a loved one living with dementia. These items can support both comfort and safety, ensuring that everyone has a positive experience.
Dementia Communication Wallet Cards: Click the button below for a free digital download.
Medication List & Provider List: Keep important information, such as medication lists, medical provider contacts, and emergency details, easily accessible. These can be lifesavers when managing medications from afar and ensuring access to healthcare on the go.
Check Out My Bundle That Includes Door Label Signs For Travel or Home: Simple, clear labels can help reduce confusion when navigating unfamiliar spaces. These door labels can also be used in familiar spaces when locating areas of the home starts to become more challenging.
Click Here To View My Frequently Recommended Dementia Friendly Travel Items: A selection of products that can make your trip easier.
These items are designed to help families feel more prepared and confident while traveling. If you find them useful, I’d be happy for you to explore them further. They are available through the links above.
Jessie Hillock, M.A., SLP, CDP
Dementia Navigation Coach & Consultant
Certified Dementia Practitioner
Background as a Speech-Language Pathologist
Jessie works with families facing memory loss and cognitive challenges across the United States as the owner and founder of The Memory Compass. She specializes in dementia care, is a certified dementia practitioner, and has a background as a geriatric speech-language pathologist. Jessie helps families navigate dementia challenges through memory loss navigation consultations and dementia coaching. Through these sessions, Jessie equips families with creating solutions to their challenges, saves them time and energy, and reduces the overwhelm by developing their own individualized action plans for now and
proactively for the future.
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