Elderly family members with memory issues do not usually get to travel the country as much as they once did. Seemingly simple tasks can become complicated, and significant changes to their routines in order to tag along on a road trip or hop on a plane can be disorienting and scary. However, if your loved one lives in a memory care facility, they are possibly more isolated from family now than ever before. Taking them to see extended family for special events can be a great way to keep them involved. If concerns over traveling with your elderly family member stopped you from bringing them to the celebrations, read this blog to learn how you can make the travel process as simple and safe as possible.
Tips For Making Travel Easier For Memory Care Patients
Tip #1 – Gather Needed Items Ahead of Time
This tip encompasses a lot of information, but it is the most important part of travel when someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s is involved. Minor hiccups in your travel plan are never fun, but they can quickly lead to extreme stress for someone with cognitive problems.
To start, collect all information, identification, and resources that you could possibly need for your trip. This includes ID cards, medical information that proves your loved one’s condition, medications, and anything used in their daily life to help with simple tasks. These items are essential for continuing to provide care, as well as smoothing over any hurdles that might come up during travel. TSA agents, hotel staff, and flight attendants are willing to help people with disabilities, but they will be able to provide better assistance if they get advanced notice of the situation and have solid documentation they can reference about your family member’s condition.
Ask their caregiver about their routine, and ensure you can continue giving your loved one the same level of support they receive daily in their memory care facility. Everyday activities like tooth or hair brushing are more complicated for someone with memory or cognitive problems, and you shouldn’t assume that your family member can easily adjust to a new routine while traveling away from their usual set of familiar household appliances and tools.
Tip #2 – Minimize Travel Time
Wait, isn’t this blog about helping with travel? Why should we reduce travel time?
By minimizing travel time, we mean that you should take direct routes to your destination and limit the amount of time spent in trains, planes, or cars. Avoid the scenic route and try to book direct flights instead of cheaper flights with layovers. This will reduce stress on your family member and allow for more buffer time should delays occur.
Tip #3 – Explain Everything
People with memory issues can forget their loved ones, their daily routine, and anything in between, so they will likely forget their current travel plans and become scared or confused. Continuously inform them of what is happening, and try your best to ease their concerns about being in a new and unfamiliar location.
Tip #4 – Allow For Quiet Times
Find ways to slow down the hustle and bustle and provide a quiet, calm area for your family member to rest or sleep. If visiting extended family, make preparations beforehand to supply a quiet room away from everyone else or purchase a nearby hotel room. If your family member can endure the stress of traveling, thank them by rewarding them with a serene place to recharge.
If your senior loved one has dementia, contact A Banyan Residence today. We are an assisted living and memory care facility in Venice, Florida.
