How to Travel When a Loved One Has Dementia

Step 2: Adjust your expectations

Keep in mind that you cannot travel in the same way you did before your loved one developed dementia. “Think about what a typical day is like for the person you’re caring for when at home,” Lynn says. “Build a trip or vacation around that, as opposed to expecting the person with dementia to adapt to the trip.

That means adjusting the duration and location of trips, such as traveling within the U.S. rather than overseas or opting for weekend getaways rather than weeklong excursions. Plan fewer activities and budget a lot more time for everything from getting through security at the airport to getting ready in the morning.

“If you can keep your expectations reasonable, that’s a good place to start,” Lynn says.

Step 3: Line up support

If you can afford it, hire a professional caregiver to accompany you. This person can keep an eye on your loved one as you handle tasks such as checking into flights or hotels and can assist with dressing, bathing and other care needs. Plus, having support can give you a break “so you can have a chance to be on vacation for a while,” Kruger says.

Alternatively, you could consider dementia-friendly excursions that have care professionals on staff, such as Shoaf’s cruises through Elite Cruises and Vacations. Her supported travel experiences provide one care professional per family.

At the least, enlist the support of another family member or a friend to help you and your loved one as you travel. If there isn’t someone who can accompany you, consider traveling to a location where you have family or friends who can help, Kruger says.

Step 4: Prepare before you go

Advance preparation is essential when traveling with a loved one who has dementia. For starters, Kruger recommends asking your loved one’s doctor to prescribe medication for anxiety and an antibiotic in case your loved one develops a urinary tract infection, which is common. 

If you plan to fly, book a direct flight that departs when your loved one is typically most alert and at ease. Let the airline know that you will be traveling with someone with a disability and ask for a wheelchair to make it easier to get through the airport, even if your loved one doesn’t typically require one. And visit TSA Cares, the Transportation Security Administration’s website, which has information for travelers with disabilities and medical conditions.

When traveling by car, research rest areas along your route that have family restrooms if your loved one needs assistance going to the bathroom. Make sure the hotel and room you book are handicap-accessible (you will especially appreciate the extra space if your loved one needs help in the bathroom). If possible, book full-service hotels that have staff who can assist with parking and luggage and have an on-site restaurant to make things easier for both you and your loved one, Shoaf says. 

She recommends creating cards to hand out that let people know that the person you’re traveling with has dementia and ask for their patience. The Alzheimer’s Association has free cards you can download and print. Shoaf also suggests creating a playlist of your loved one’s favorite songs to play on your phone if they become agitated.

Step 5: Know what to pack

In addition to items your loved one would regularly take when traveling, experts recommend packing the following:

• Items to pack in a carry-on or easily accessible bag
• A change of clothes
• Cleaning wipes and incontinence briefs
• Medications (and a list or photos of medications)
• Fidget gadgets, fidget blankets, coloring books or activity books to help relieve anxiety and keep your loved one occupied
• A familiar doll, blanket or lap pillow to cuddle with and provide a sense of security

Other items to bring

• Your loved one’s health insurance card, living will and powers of attorney documents in case of emergencies
• Incontinence supplies, which can be shipped to your destination if you’re flying
• Extension cords, if your loved one has lots of medical equipment that must be plugged in
• Night-light
• Door alarm to prevent your loved one from leaving a hotel room unnoticed
• Gait belt to help decrease the chance of falls
• Tracking device and ID bracelet for your loved one
• Travel wheelchair if your loved one requires a wheelchair for mobility
• Signs to mark the bathroom door and exit door of a hotel room to prevent confusion

Many dementia- and senior-specific items such as fidget gadgets, gait belts, door alarms and tracking devices are available online from the Alzheimer’s Store and major retailers such as Amazon and Walmart.

Plan for when things don’t go as planned

Expect your loved one to be more disoriented when you travel, Lynn says. This could increase the risk of injuries, infections and other dementia-related hazards, such as wandering. So it’s essential to have a plan for emergencies. 

“We try to map out everything along the way that can go wrong,” says Rosemary Armao of her travels with her mom. 

For example, know what medical facilities and emergency resources are available at your destination. Make sure your loved one is wearing an ID bracelet and tracking device and carrying a list of their emergency contacts and medical issues in a pocket or purse. 

Be able to recognize signs of discomfort, such as agitation, anxiety or eating and drinking less, because your loved one might not be able to tell you what is wrong. “We have to pay attention to their behavior,” Kruger says. “Their behavior is the way they communicate.” 

 And be prepared to advocate for your loved one. You might encounter people who don’t understand the challenges your loved one is facing. It’s important to let them know your loved one has dementia. “We need to be really calm and really clear what our loved one needs,” Shoaf says. 

Finally, if all of this planning and preparation feels like too much, recognize that traveling with a loved one who has dementia might not be safe for your own well-being. “It’s OK to let it go if you feel like as a caregiver you don’t have the capacity to do it,” Lynn says.