Travelling with Dementia
CARING for a loved one with dementia often means making major lifestyle changes, and changing the plans you had for your future together. While a diagnosis of dementia does mean many changes, and every situation is different, it doesn't always mean giving up your travel plans. Angels in Aprons has worked with a number of families to help make travel arrangements for loved ones with dementia. In many cases, these holidays provide families with an important time to share memories and remember how it feels to enjoy experiences together.
Planning and preparation www.dementiadaily.org.au/tips-for-travelling-with-a-person-with-dementia/ are the key to avoiding confusion and anxiety for the person with dementia and helping the family relax, knowing they are prepared for every eventuality.
Top air travel tips for travellers with dementia
download the guide at http://dementiakt.com.au/resource/airport-user-guide/
This resource,has been developed by the Queensland University of Technology’s Dementia Centre for Research Collaboration: Carers and Consumers (DCRC-CC). The guide aims to help make air travel as simple and enjoyable as possible and provides tips and advice on aspects such as planning and getting to the airport, checking in and returning home safely.
The resource provides a specific guide to Brisbane Airport’s International Terminal, as well as general air travel tips, things to consider and checklists.
By Staff Writers on 29 June, 2017 in Community Care Review.
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Top tips are:
1. Be realistic. Know your limitations and those of your loved one, and plan for them. Remember a huge itinerary is likely to be confusing and might make things harder for everyone. Choose a few special experiences and plan for longer stopovers and a home base where the person can become used to the new surroundings.
2. Make sure you have an adequate supply of all medicines needed, and bring prescriptions too.
3. If you need to carry extensive medication, check with the embassies of the countries you are visiting. It's a good idea to carry a letter from your doctor saying who the medicine is for and what the dosage is, and to keep medication in its original packaging. See Smartraveller for more information.
4. Take a full list of recent and current medications in case of emergency.
5. Encourage the person with dementia to wear an identity bracelet. Ensure they are carrying details of their name and address and your mobile number and hotel or accommodation details with them in their wallet or purse.
6. Be wary of large bathrooms with multiple exits, such as those in transit centres. These can be particularly confusing. Consider using family or disabled bathrooms where you can stay together.
7. Stay secure. If your loved one is prone to wandering, lock the hotel room door and consider purchasing a portable door alarm.
8. Make a safe space. Hotel rooms can be disorienting for everyone. Leave the bathroom light on at night to minimise anxiety.
9. Enlist help. Where possible, advise airline staff they have a passenger with dementia. Most airlines will be able to arrange extra support from cabin crew. Try to sit close to bathrooms and near an aisle for easy entry and exit.
10. Keep it simple. Book all luggage through to your destination and minimise hand luggage.
It's a good idea to consult your doctor and discuss your plans to ensure you have planned for every eventuality.
Ensuring you have good travel insurance that will cover you in case of inability to travel will also give you peace of mind.
Angels in Aprons has experience at helping the families of people with dementia prepare for travel, and offers a complete packing and preparation service, from organising to have scripts filled to arranging documentation and delivery to the airport.
Phone Sharon on 0406 076 885 or visit Angels in Aprons website for more information.
With many thanks to Sharon Douglas email: [email protected] and the Exceptional and Beautiful girls who will help you.
CARING for a loved one with dementia often means making major lifestyle changes, and changing the plans you had for your future together. While a diagnosis of dementia does mean many changes, and every situation is different, it doesn't always mean giving up your travel plans. Angels in Aprons has worked with a number of families to help make travel arrangements for loved ones with dementia. In many cases, these holidays provide families with an important time to share memories and remember how it feels to enjoy experiences together.
Planning and preparation www.dementiadaily.org.au/tips-for-travelling-with-a-person-with-dementia/ are the key to avoiding confusion and anxiety for the person with dementia and helping the family relax, knowing they are prepared for every eventuality.
Top air travel tips for travellers with dementia
download the guide at http://dementiakt.com.au/resource/airport-user-guide/
This resource,has been developed by the Queensland University of Technology’s Dementia Centre for Research Collaboration: Carers and Consumers (DCRC-CC). The guide aims to help make air travel as simple and enjoyable as possible and provides tips and advice on aspects such as planning and getting to the airport, checking in and returning home safely.
The resource provides a specific guide to Brisbane Airport’s International Terminal, as well as general air travel tips, things to consider and checklists.
By Staff Writers on 29 June, 2017 in Community Care Review.
-----------------------
Top tips are:
1. Be realistic. Know your limitations and those of your loved one, and plan for them. Remember a huge itinerary is likely to be confusing and might make things harder for everyone. Choose a few special experiences and plan for longer stopovers and a home base where the person can become used to the new surroundings.
2. Make sure you have an adequate supply of all medicines needed, and bring prescriptions too.
3. If you need to carry extensive medication, check with the embassies of the countries you are visiting. It's a good idea to carry a letter from your doctor saying who the medicine is for and what the dosage is, and to keep medication in its original packaging. See Smartraveller for more information.
4. Take a full list of recent and current medications in case of emergency.
5. Encourage the person with dementia to wear an identity bracelet. Ensure they are carrying details of their name and address and your mobile number and hotel or accommodation details with them in their wallet or purse.
6. Be wary of large bathrooms with multiple exits, such as those in transit centres. These can be particularly confusing. Consider using family or disabled bathrooms where you can stay together.
7. Stay secure. If your loved one is prone to wandering, lock the hotel room door and consider purchasing a portable door alarm.
8. Make a safe space. Hotel rooms can be disorienting for everyone. Leave the bathroom light on at night to minimise anxiety.
9. Enlist help. Where possible, advise airline staff they have a passenger with dementia. Most airlines will be able to arrange extra support from cabin crew. Try to sit close to bathrooms and near an aisle for easy entry and exit.
10. Keep it simple. Book all luggage through to your destination and minimise hand luggage.
It's a good idea to consult your doctor and discuss your plans to ensure you have planned for every eventuality.
Ensuring you have good travel insurance that will cover you in case of inability to travel will also give you peace of mind.
Angels in Aprons has experience at helping the families of people with dementia prepare for travel, and offers a complete packing and preparation service, from organising to have scripts filled to arranging documentation and delivery to the airport.
Phone Sharon on 0406 076 885 or visit Angels in Aprons website for more information.
With many thanks to Sharon Douglas email: [email protected] and the Exceptional and Beautiful girls who will help you.