Caregiver Tips: Managing Trips with a Senior with Alzheimer's Disease
Caregivers in Forest Park GA
Simply because your parent is dealing with Alzheimer's disease does not mean that you cannot still enjoy vacations as a family. In fact, going on adventures with your aging loved one can bring tremendous meaning to your caregiver experience and create memories that you will treasure well after that care experience comes to an end. As with anything having to do with a senior who is progressing through this disease, however, traveling with a parent who is dealing with Alzheimer's disease requires planning and special attention to ensure it goes smoothly and enjoyably for everyone involved.
Use these tips to help you manage traveling with a senior with Alzheimer's disease:
• Talk about it. Even if you think that your parent will not remember your conversation or be able to understand what you are telling them, talk about the trip. Tell them where you are going and when, and why you are going there. Remember that your parent might not remember the purpose of a vacation or may not have memories of traveling to that particular location if it was more recent in their life. Take the time to explain that you want to go on vacation so that you can have fun and spend quality time together, and detail what you are going to see and do while you are on the trip. Start this as soon as you can and bring it up frequently so that they can get used to the idea
• Find out about medications. Talk to your aging parent's doctor about your trip and find out if there are any changes that your parent will need to make with their medications, or if there are any options that the doctor can offer to your parent to take if they start to feel anxious or unsafe. This can help you to make clear records of what they take, when they take it, proper dosages, and other information so that you can keep these details with you throughout the trip
• Carry extras. You never know what can happen when you are traveling. Be sure to pack extra clothing in the bag that you will have with you from the time that you leave until you reach your destination. This will ensure that if something unexpected does happen, your parent can simply change and continue ahead with the vacation with little stress or hassle
• Identify them. Being in an unfamiliar situation can increase wandering tendencies. This can be very dangerous if your parent gets away from you and becomes lost. Make sure that your parent wears an identification bracelet that has their name and the information that they have Alzheimer's disease as well as any other conditions and allergies. If possible, encourage them to have a GPS device or to wear GPS-enabled shoes. This will allow you to check in and track where your parent is so that you can find them more quickly if the need arises. Make sure that you also have a recent picture of your parent that you can share in the event that they become lost.
Source
https://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/publication/traveling-overnight
If you or an aging loved one are considering caregivers in Forest Park, GA or the surrounding areas, contact the caring staff at Right At Home of East Atlanta. Call today (678) 712-4002.
