Alzheimer's Association: Keep Safety in Mind When Traveling or Planning Events

June is National Safety Month, and the time of year when many Americans plan summer and holiday travel, as well as attend weddings, graduations, family reunions and other get-togethers. For most families, these trips and gatherings are filled with opportunities for togetherness, sharing, laughter and memories. But for those dealing with a loved one’s Alzheimer’s disease, they can also be filled with stress.

Traveling with an individual who has Alzheimer’s requires additional thought and preparation. Additionally, changes in environment may become increasingly challenging. Be prepared for the individual with the disease to experience confusion or disorientation. If you’re traveling, it’s a good idea to call the Alzheimer’s Association chapter in the area you will be visiting. Let them know you will be staying in the area and ask about available resources. (You can locate any chapter by calling 1.800.272.3900 or by visiting www.alz.org/apps/findus.asp.) Also consider enrolling your loved one in MedicAlert® + Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return®, a 24-hour nationwide emergency response service for individuals with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia who wander or have a medical emergency.

Here are some other tips for handling travel and attending events with a loved one with Alzheimer’s:

• Adjust expectations. Make sure everyone involved understands your caregiving situation. Understand what you can do and what you cannot do. Stay as close to your normal routine as possible. For example, keep bathing and eating times consistent with your usual schedule.

• Involve the person with dementia. When making plans, ask for their input. If you’re involved with the preparation for an event, ask your loved one to help you prepare food or help you hang decorations. And again, maintain your normal routine as much as possible.

• Be flexible. After arriving at your destination, keep your schedule light with lots of down time. Create opportunities to acclimate the person to the new environment. If an evening event may create issues surrounding confusion, or sundowning that sometimes affects people with dementia, switch to a lunchtime gathering.

Find out about senior home care agencies in the area where you will be visiting as it is often helpful to hire a trained professional caregiver to be with your loved one with memory loss for events such as weddings.  This will allow family members to mingle and enjoy themselves knowing someone is always there to assist their parent or grandparent with memory loss.

For more tips on safety for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, visit the Alzheimer’s Association Safety Center at www.alz.org/safetycenter or call 1.800.272.3900.