Planning for travel
Consider these dementia-friendly reminders before your next trip.
There are many ways to plan for your next trip so you can feel prepared, confident and safe while traveling away from home. Feeling prepared can help minimize discomfort, confusion, distress or disorientation, and help care partners, family or friends better support someone living with dementia while travelling.
Planning a trip or going on vacation can bring up a lot of emotions for anyone, from excitement and anticipation to worry or uncertainty. For people living with dementia and those caring for someone living with dementia, those worries can feel more significant.
Dementia can affect someone’s ability to understand their environment, follow maps or street signs, dress appropriately for the weather or remember familiar faces.
Although people living with dementia often do best in well-structured and familiar settings, travelling can be successful given the right conditions and some careful planning.
Dementia-friendly reminders:
- Less is more – keep your daily plans simple, and don’t pack in too many activities in one day.
- Schedule in breaks – make rest and time away from busy or crowded environments a priority.
- Plan ahead and use your resources – let flight, hotel or restaurant staff know you’re navigating dementia, so they can help if needed.
Click here to read the full guide of travel reminders with quotes from people living with dementia.
What to consider in your packing checklist:
- Carrying an “I have dementia” or “The person with me has dementia” card with you.
- Bringing enough medication, plus at least one extra day, just in case travel is delayed.
- Keeping a recent photo of the person living with dementia in your wallet and on your mobile device.
- Packing familiar items, such as favourite music, photographs or clothing.
Through careful planning and prepared packing, those living with dementia and their care partners can get the most out of vacation time spent away from home.
You can learn more dementia-friendly packing and travel reminders with the Alzheimer Society of British Columbia’s printable guide.
