QUESTION: I am thinking about taking a trip with my father who has Alzheimer’s disease, but is otherwise active and healthy. Is this wise? Is there anything special I should do to account for his disease while traveling?
Dr. RASKIN: Imagine you and your dad are waiting for a flight at the airport. He seems a little apprehensive but is otherwise okay. You leave him by the gate for five minutes while you go to the restroom, and when you return he is about to board the wrong flight. This scenario and similar disasters can be avoided with the right preparation.
Taking a trip with your father who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease can be very rewarding for both of you, and given the right planning, I highly recommend it. In the earlier stages of the disease, dementia patients can still often handle changes in routine and will often do just fine. So if your dad is in this early stage, take advantage of that fact and start planning. As the disease progresses, travel may be too overwhelming.
Changes in environment can trigger increased agitation, anxiety and wandering behavior for those with cognitive impairment. So, before leaving, make sure your dad has a medical alert bracelet that identifies him, his condition, and important phone numbers. The local Alzheimer’s association has other safe return programs that you can research to see if they would be helpful. Make sure you pack all necessary medications in a carry-on bag, bring a list of important emergency contacts, and let other family members know the details of your itinerary.
It is always best to take extra precautions than be sorry that you did not. Thus, even if your dad is otherwise healthy, inform the airline and airport medical service department that you may need some special accommodations. Alerting airport employees that you are traveling with someone with dementia may avoid embarrassing confrontations through security. Also, getting your dad a wheelchair through the airport may make things go smoother. Most importantly, allow more time than you think if you are going to the airport these days with a family member with any serious medical condition.
Keeping things as familiar as possible may also enhance this trip with your dad. For example, returning to destinations that he liked before his diagnosis may be less disorienting. Keeping his meal times and bathing routines similar to his daily routine is also reassuring for him, as well as having some familiar items with him such as his favorite pillow and pajamas.
Keep the travel as simple as possible by avoiding layovers if at all possible and avoid traveling at peak travel times such as major holidays. If you are at the airport, it is always a good idea to hold your dad’s boarding pass, passport, and other important items so they do not get lost. Use the opportunity to pre-board the flight, and sit in the aisle seat while he is in the middle so he doesn’t wander off. And speaking of wandering, if you are staying in a hotel consider asking the hotel staff if they have a door alarm or child-proof doorknob cover to help prevent the nightmare of waking up in a hotel room and dad is missing!
Being realistic and doing the above preparation are the keys to enjoying a vacation with your dad. Have back-up plans, and make sure to allow plenty of opportunities to rest throughout the trip. Taking these trips can allow you both to forge some great memories during his twilight years.
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