Traveling With a Person Who Has Alzheimer’s
Being a caregiver doesn’t mean and end to travel. However, traveling with someone with Alzheimer’s is a Challenge. Remember, this doesn’t mean you have to give up travel. In fact, many people still enjoy traveling with someone in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. You need to do some specific planning in advance. First of all, physical safety ought to be everyone’s #1 concern when traveling with a person suffering from Alzheimer’s. Furthermore, it is very likely that wandering chances will increase. In addition, anxious behavior will arise because of the fact that the Alzheimer’s sufferer is leaving the familiar routine as well as a safe environment.
Your top priority, register with an Alzheimer’s Safe Return Program or Wanderer’s Program. There is a cost for this service, yet moderately priced. First, complete the full registration process before leaving for home on the trip. It is critical to always be with the sufferer. Remember to never, ever leave your loved-one unaccompanied during your vacation. Why is this so important. They are much more likely to wander if they are in an unfamiliar and strange new environment. If a crisis does happen, have an action plan ready. Finally, never be reluctant or hesitate to ask for help from the local authorities as well as other emergency services.
If you feel travel will be too difficult with your loved-one consider respite care at an assisted living facility. Many facilities offer this form of short-term care. A great way to approach respite care with your loved-one is to tell them they are going on vacation too. Respite care will provide quality care and meaningful activities, which will make their stay very enjoyable and safe, just as a vacation should be. You can even call the facility frequently while on your trip to make sure everything is ok.
Keep in mind that taking a break from your care giving responsibilities can be vital for your own mental and physical health. In the end, it’s a tremendous benefit to both caregiver and care recipient. Bon voyage!
