Traveling can be stressful and confusing for people with dementia ...and for those who care for them. But there are ways to make getaways with your loved ones more enjoyable.
WCMU’s Tina Sawyer spoke with Brenda Roberts-- Executive Director at the National Council of Dementia Minds. Roberts gives ways care partners, and those who have dementia, can enjoy time away from home.
(The following is the transcript of audio from interview)
Tina: So Brenda, what's the very first thing we should do? If we're planning a trip with someone who has dementia?
BR: I'm gonna share what I think are three universal truths. The first one is a term you may have heard before, if you've met one person living with dementia, you've met one person living with dementia, meaning everyone is different. Some of these suggestions may work for your loved one, or they may not. The second is, be flexible. People living with dementia have fluctuating ability from day to day and even hour to hour. I mean, really, it takes that intentional mindset to just be like, okay, yes, we hope to see this park today. But if my husband's too tired, too worn out, we won't, you know, just gonna have to get it in your mind. And the third, absolutely universal is... slow down. I don't think that any one person living with dementia would say that that does not apply to them. Think about it as savoring each moment.
Tina: And you say it's more of an individual thing. Do you find it's hard for people to plan around that considering it's like hour to hour? Like you were saying?
BR: You know, that's a good question. That's why you have to be so flexible. If you're taking a road trip, sometimes we're driving and then when we get tired, we're gonna say, ‘Oh, we're gonna stop at a hotel’ and then stop and that one's full. And then you have to go to the next one. So think about it this way, let's plan a half day drive. Typically, we try to get eight hours in or 12 hours and go with the shorter time and have your reservations. It’s about knowing your person.
Tina: And probably know where your destination is, so that they may have the things you need?
BR: Absolutely! See if you can take a look at the hotel that you'll be staying in online and see how much room you have somewhere either in the bathroom or near the bathroom. Because a common need for people living with dementia is to have all their things visible... out of sight, out of mind. Right? So they need all their ..so for my husband has been living with dementia nine years. If he's got it, and he can see it, he can manage his daily routine. Now another option with hotel rooms would be okay, my person struggles with wayfinding. So we're going to ask for a hotel room nearest the elevator, my person is sensitive to noise, then I'm going to be further away from the elevator.
Tina: To those out there who do not know anybody with dementia, or are not familiar with it. Or maybe they're working at the hotels, how can the community support those caregivers and those with dementia as they are out traveling?
BR: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. That's an absolutely wonderful question. Many of the supports that we need are really just good customer service. Writing something down when you tell somebody or instead of giving directions like ‘You turn this way. And then that way’... you may need to walk the person. If they are in the airport sort of thing ,ask for a wheelchair, even though they're physically mobile, their wayfinding issues are difficult. And so if they ask for a wheelchair, the airlines will help you get to your destination. They take on the airplane sunglasses to dim out the light, they take earplugs to dim out the sound. And so those are the kinds of things again, about knowing your person. And when I travel with my husband, my husband has, it's the size of a business card, got his picture on it. And we proactively give this card to people like the flight attendant and it says ‘please be patient with me. I have dementia and may take longer to make a decision need you to repeat yourself, have difficulty following instructions or forget what you told me.’ But even more importantly, in the event of a flight incident, they're going to know that this is a gentleman with a cognitive impairment and is going to need assistance in that emergency situation.
Tina: Is there something that you see in the future that people or businesses out there can do to alleviate having to do that?
BR: Yes, there are programs in there's a program here in the state of Michigan and it's called Dementia Friendly America. And its organizations who come out and do training for your staff. It’s building dementia awareness. What your staff learns from that, you know, isn't applicable just to people living with dementia, but to lots of people with special needs. I don't want to neglect that, you know, at National Council of Dementia Minds, we also do personalized training for businesses and organizations.
Tina: Wow, great information. Thank you so much, Brenda. I appreciate your time.
BR: Thank you so much for having me.
