Travelling, holidays and dementia

This help sheet provides information for families and carers about travelling with someone with dementia. It lists some warning signs for when travel may be inappropriate and some helpful suggestions for planning a trip and for travelling.

For people living with dementia, their families and carers. The Dementia Guide is an important resource for any person impacted by any form of dementia, of any age. This resource contains information about the impact dementia may have on a person, the treatment, support and services they may need. It is available to read online, download as a pdf, listen to an audio version or request a print copy.

For those who enjoy travel, and want to continue to do so, this is a must-read both for patients and their loved ones. Whether visiting family and friends or venturing to a new location for fun, it's packed with practical tips and strategies that will remove many of the stressors created by travel. Find confidence in your ability to stayed engaged with people and places that matter—and continue to create memories! It may be difficult to imagine having a fun, successful trip if you're a person living with dementia, or someone caring for an affected person. Whether early in the diagnosis or further along the path of progression, with thoughtful preparation and adaptations travel is possible for many. This is the first book of its kind that considers what people living with dementia may experience during travel and helps travel companions know what to expect before, during, and after a trip. Embrace the concept that it is possible to live well with dementia, and find joy, purpose, and meaning along the way.

Whether heading down the road or to far off lands, setting off and leaving behind day to day life symbolises freedom, refreshment, and room for adventure. A diagnosis of dementia shouldn’t stop you or your loved ones from travelling, though it may require a different level of planning than in the past. This booklet pulls together good advice and recommendations for reducing stress and allowing everyone to enjoy a holiday. This download available for free.

So when Ray's wife, Grace, first started showing signs of Alzheimer's disease (sometimes referred to as dementia) one of his first acts was to take her to the Princeton Brain Bio Centre in New Jersey where Grace was prescribed high powered vitamins, minerals and Omega 3. Ray firmly believes that these nutritional supplements allowed him to continue as Grace's devoted sole carer until her death nearly 12 years later. Early on Ray decided that he wanted to give Grace the very best quality of life he could and for him that meant ensuring that she continued to benefit from stimulation and enjoyment, even if her pleasure could only ever be transitory. Ray sold their home and used the money to take Grace travelling on a shoe string. Ray ensured that Grace continued to enjoy new experiences for as long as possible and the many pictures of them on their travels are a testament to the fact that Grace clearly did get a sense of pleasure from these expeditions to Europe, Asia, China and South America.

Book chapter: Swaffer, Kate and Low, Lee-Fay (2016). Travel and dementia. In: Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. London: New Holland, p.191-195.
This chapter covers, planning, accommodation, packing and insurance as well as other wisdom learned by the author in her travels.