Clinical Care Coach Corner: Written by Alisa Isumi, MPH
For many people, summer is a time for travel. New adventures can be fun, however there are special considerations when traveling with a person living with dementia. Care partners will find over time that they are taking responsibility for more work around travel to include making reservations, coordinating flights or tours, packing, and ensuring travel documents are safely secured. In this post, Alisa will share practical tips and suggestions on how to make travel as smooth and enjoyable as possible for both the care partner and person living with memory loss.
Airplane Travel
Many airports have taken efforts to become “dementia friendly.” To help navigate the airport and simplify security screening, you can contact TSA ahead of time. Information for the San Diego Airport can be found here.
Here are some strategies that care partners have shared they use during travel:
- Consider nonstop flights to avoid layovers, and travel during off-peak hours to avoid crowds.
- Bathrooms: Many airports have large bathrooms with more than one entrance. Consider accompanying your person to the restroom or waiting just outside the door. Family restrooms may be helpful if the person with dementia requires assistance.
- Inquire about early boarding and ask flight attendants for additional help.
- Take a photo of the person with memory loss on the day of travel. In the event you become separated you will be able to quickly access a photo of what the person is wearing.
Road Trips
If the drive is long enough to require restroom breaks, follow the same suggestions as given for airport restrooms. It can be easy to get mixed up in unfamiliar settings. If you will be staying in a hotel let the staff know that you are traveling with someone with dementia. The more people that are aware this, the more people can be on the lookout in the event of a wandering incident. Door alarms can be used for notifying that someone has left the room.
Companion cards can be helpful to explain unusual behaviors or ask for patience and kindness. We offer free companions cards at our office.
While Away from Home
Be aware: Changes in routine including time changes and new environments that can cause confusion for a person with memory loss. Consider having family members or friends accompany you if you are concerned about needing additional help.
Pack your patience: Delayed or cancelled flights and traffic on the roads can disrupt even the most organized trip.
Keep daily itineraries light: Do not plan too much activity into your days and allow plenty of time for rest and relaxation.
If you’ll be staying in San Diego County, register the person with dementia in the Take Me Home program.
Additional Considerations
If the thought of travel seems stressful, and all the details feel overwhelming, look for ways to experience adventure and fun without leaving town. San Diego is a beautiful city that is a tourist destination for many – plan a staycation to include scenic drives, picnics, tours, a bay cruise or even a Coronado ferry ride. There’s plenty to see and do right here at home! Teepa Snow has a series of videos focused on dementia and travel. You can access them here.
If you have a trip scheduled or are considering travel this summer and want to talk about your specific plans, call us at 858.492.4400 to speak with one of our dementia experts who are available to talk to you about safety precautions to consider and things that might help make your trip a smoother experience. We’re here to help San Diego County residents and/or those caring for someone living in San Diego County (Spanish speakers available). Also check out our free education classes, social activities, care partner support groups, & more.
Our “Clinical Care Coach Corner” series is where our team of dementia experts weigh in on unique topics and provide insight that can help people impacted by dementia.
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Posted on July 8th, 2024
