Is It Safe to Travel When Caring for Someone with Dementia?

Balancing Freedom and Boundaries When Caring for a Person with Dementia

Guest Article by Jane Clairmont 

The world is a wonderful place to explore, and that shouldn’t stop for someone with dementia. However, planning a trip can be nerve-wracking for carers, who may be worried about the practicalities of balancing long journeys by car, plane, or train with their loved one’s needs. The change of routine and location can be distressing for people with dementia, especially when traveling far from home.

Additionally, caregiving responsibilities can feel daunting because the caregiver feels the need to be ‘on call’ while also trying to enjoy a vacation.

In this short guide, we share some of the top things to consider when deciding whether traveling is the right choice for the person you’re caring for.

Travel Rights of People with Dementia

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) accepts dementia as a disability. This allows people with dementia to request special consideration at the airport. This means that you as the companion can stay with your care recipient during security screening. While not everyone living with dementia sees the need for this, being with someone familiar can be reassuring.

Some airports also provide a quiet room where you can both sit comfortably, away from the hustle and bustle of the main waiting rooms. They may even have adult changing tables or restrooms with showers. Usually, you’ll need to carry a TSA notification card or a sunflower lanyard to gain access to these areas, and highlight to staff that assistance might be needed. You can check the requirements with the specific airport.

How to Protect their Sense of Freedom

When you’re traveling, you and your loved one will need to make a lot of decisions.  Where are you going? What are the safety precautions? When possible, try and protect the person you’re caring for while giving them freedom and right to choose what they do with their time.  Give them the opportunity to choose among a few activities. Ask them what they’d like to eat that evening. The level of decision making will depend on the individual. Although easier and faster, avoid the temptation to make every decision yourself. Also, try not to plan every minute of your vacation. You want to leave open spontaneous opportunities.

Keeping a Person with Dementia Safe

Part of traveling is usually visiting busy places–an airport, train station, or a service station if you’re driving. These places can be confusing for someone with dementia, and it’s easy to get separated in a crowd. If you can, aim to travel at off-peak times. Leave early, so that you can take a break if you need to.

It can also be helpful to have a recent photo of the person you’re caring for. If they’re ok with it, take a photo each morning. At least, note what they’re wearing. An ID bracelet with your contact details is valuable if they get lost and someone tries to assist them. You can also provide them with a photo of your car if applicable, so they can find the vehicle again in a busy car park.

If you’re staying in a hotel, it may be a good idea to let the staff know that you’re traveling with someone with dementia. That way, if they see them by themselves or somewhere unusual, they may know to go and see if they need some extra help. This isn’t about taking autonomy away from your loved one; instead, it’s about keeping them safe while allowing you both to enjoy your break.

Planning and preparation tips

Choosing the right type of vacation can be crucial for someone with dementia. If they’re stressed or anxious the whole time, it may not be worth the trip. So, think carefully before you book–where would they feel most comfortable, at a hotel or in a self-catering property? Which parts of their routine will you need to keep?

Although it’s not nice to think about, it is also important to consider what you’ll do if things don’t quite go as planned. Taking out travel insurance and checking the cancellation policies on anything you book is a good idea, just in case. You should also make sure you familiarize yourself with the local medical providers and take any necessary paperwork with you, so that you can get the assistance you need without additional stress.

Ultimately, it’s an individual decision whether traveling with a person with dementia is the right call. However, there’s no need to blanket ban and rule it out. By assessing the situation and with the right preparation, travel can be an enjoyable experience for both of you.

Jane Clairmont is a full-time caregiver for her mother, Brenda. Both mother and daughter have a lifelong love of adventure. With Brenda’s dementia diagnosis, Jane is exploring new ways to make this possible while keeping her mother safe and happy.