How to Travel on Day Trips and Extended Vacations as a Caregiver to Someone With Alzheimer’s

When you're a caregiver to someone with Alzheimer's in South Bend, you want to ensure that that person enjoys as high a quality of life as possible. And sometimes, this can mean going on a day trip or an extended vacation, usually with family members or friends.

Given that people with Alzheimer's tend to forget things a lot, you might need to keep reminding them that the day trip or vacation is coming up in the future. This way, they have time to become used to the idea and don't feel surprised when it actually happens.

Things to Take on Your Trip

You'll need to prepare all the things you might need on your day trip/vacation. So be sure to pack the following:

• The name and phone number of the senior's doctor. This is in case of an emergency and you need to call them.
• A written list of the senior's medications and the times when they need to be taken.
• A list of the foods and drugs that the senior is allergic to.
• If you are visiting a place where the senior has friends or family, then it also makes sense to keep their numbers on hand, in case of emergency.
• The senior's insurance information—the name of the insurance company and the policy number, as well as a number to call.
• For an extended vacation, you can pack a few extra changes of clothing. But even for a day trip, an extra change of clothing makes sense, just in case.
• It is recommended that the senior travel with someone who is a comforting reminder of home, whether another person or a pet.
• Water, snacks, and games will be useful on a day trip if the senior gets hungry or just needs an activity to pass the time.
• If your senior tends to wander, then you might want to get them an ID bracelet.

Practical Tips for the Day Trip/Vacation

As mentioned above, you'll need to start reminding the seniors daily that they are going to go on a trip. This way,they are better prepared for it. Additionally, keep the following things in mind when vacationing with someone who has Alzheimer's:

• It's best to go somewhere close by. Getting on a plane or traveling for an extended period of time in a car can be difficult for a senior with Alzheimer's.
• Most seniors with Alzheimer's have a certain time of day when they are more active. So it's best to plan more activities during that time.
• Keep in mind the kind of things that the senior generally likes to do. For example, if they like (or used to like) walking on the beach, then you can schedule a day trip/vacation by the beach.
• You don't need to pack a lot of activities into the day in order to have a good time. In fact, this might end up overstimulating your senior.
• If you can schedule things to resemble your senior's home schedule as much as possible, that will help the senior to adapt better. So, for example, seniors could wake up and sleep at the same time as they do at home. They could also perform some of the chores they do at home. This will give them a feeling of familiarity.

Traveling with someone who has Alzheimer's may seem like a challenge. However, if you pack well and schedule manageable activities, you and your senior will enjoy your trip or extended vacations. If you are in the areas of Elkhart, Goshen, or Mishawaka,contact Senior Helpers today to learn more.