The holiday season is upon us, and everyone is making plans to gather with friends and family.
For many of us, winter weather, flight delays and other inconveniences can make traveling burdensome. For those with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers, travel can be even more complex and may trigger anxiety and confusion.
When making holiday plans — whether that’s home for the holidays or off to visit family and friends — consider these tips from the Alzheimer’s Association for a safe and calm experience.
For those traveling this holiday season:
- Evaluate options for the best mode of travel. Based on needs, abilities, safety and preferences, decide what would provide the most comfort and the least anxiety.
- Carry an itinerary that includes details about each destination. Give copies to family members or friends you will be visiting or to emergency contacts at home.
- Travel during the time of day that’s best for the person living with the disease. For example, if he or she becomes tired or agitated in the late afternoon, try to travel in the morning or overnight.
- Have a bag of essentials that includes medications, a comfortable change of clothes, water, snacks and activities.
For those staying home for the holidays:
- Know when someone with Alzheimer’s disease shouldn’t travel. At a certain point in the progression of the disease, travel may become unsafe or impractical. As much as you may be looking forward to a trip, the most wonderful time of year can become the exact opposite if traveling with the person with dementia is unsafe or creates undue stress.
- Familiarity and routine bring comfort for those living with Alzheimer’s. If a holiday at home is best for your loved one, consider building on memories and experimenting with new traditions like connecting through video to play a game, cooking together, singing familiar songs or sharing photos from special holiday moments.
There are approximately 39,000 West Virginia residents aged 65 and older who are living with Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association “2023 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures.” That number is expected to increase to 44,000 by 2025. One in three seniors dies with the disease.
Those concerned about themselves or a loved one can contact the Alzheimer’s Association West Virginia Chapter at 304-343-2717 to schedule a care consultation and be connected to local resources.
