Five Dementia-Friendly Holiday Tips
Five important things to consider when planning a holiday with or for someone with dementia.
It’s well and truly the holiday season!
There’s much to consider when going on holiday, activities, insurance, flights, and remembering to pack everything!
But there’s even more to think about when planning a dementia-friendly holiday.
At Merry Maids UK, we’re long-time Dementia Friends and have once again partnered with Alzheimer’s Society as our charity of the year to aid them in their mission to provide help and hope to those living with dementia in the UK.
All our cleaners across the UK are certified and well-informed to deliver compassionate and professional support to those we clean for.
By working with the Alzheimer’s Society, we’re here today to share some top tips for planning a dementia-friendly holiday.
Can someone with dementia go on holiday?
You may wonder whether someone with dementia can or should go on holiday.
But a well-planned holiday can help the well-being of the person with dementia and those around them, through:
- Stimulation through new experiences
- Creating shared experiences
- Reminiscing about past experiences
- Reconnecting with important aspects of their identity
- Engaging in mindful activities
Logistical Factors to consider when planning a holiday
Naturally, how you plan your holiday will depend on a few factors, including how the person’s dementia affects their daily life. It will also help you determine length of stay, destination, type of transport, itinerary, and budget.
Think about the person’s needs
Deciding to book a trip away can be a big step. And it can be difficult to know if someone with dementia will benefit from a holiday or struggle to settle into their new surroundings.
For some people with dementia, going on holiday can be confusing. They may need extra support when coping with a new environment or changes to their usual routine.
Consider:
- Has the person enjoyed going on holiday previously?
- How does the person usually manage in new surroundings? Would they become confused and distressed with the change in location, food, language or clothing?
- How will the person respond to a change in temperature/time zone?
- Would the person be physically comfortable during journeys?
- If the journey involves passing through security checks (for example, in an airport), would the person understand the need to remove personal items, like jewellery or a turban?
- How will the person move around where they are staying? If they have mobility issues, is the accommodation on the ground floor, or are there accessible lifts? Is the surrounding area accessible?
- If the person needs support going to the toilet, will it be manageable during the trip?
- If being able to practise a religion is important to the person, are there opportunities to do that while they are away?
Think about your needs
You may also find it hard to relax while providing support to a person with dementia on holiday.
It’s important to think about yourself and the person you care for. Supporting a person away from home can present more challenges.
For example, can you contact your support network for help on holiday? And if you are unwell, will someone else be able to support them?
Build in time to rest while you’re away or get home.
This can help to make the holiday enjoyable and restful for you both.
Involve the person in the planning
When deciding whether to take some time away, it’s vital to consider what kind of holiday is right for everyone.
Talk to the person you care for about whether they would like to go on holiday and involve them in the planning as much as possible.
A person with dementia may not be able to make this decision themselves.
If this is the case, you should consider whether going on holiday is in their best interests.
Bring the holiday to the person
If it isn’t possible to travel, you may still be able to bring the benefits of a holiday to the person.
Look for ways to have new experiences closer to home.
For example, you could check if anywhere local offers some of the activities you might have tried on holiday, like a dancing class.
It may also be possible to go on a day trip somewhere nearby, instead of going on holiday.
See if a particular food the person associates with a holiday is available to order or buy. For example, if the person used to go on holiday to a certain country, check if nearby places offer regional food.
Some tourist websites (like museums) offer virtual ‘armchair’ sessions, where you can explore what they offer without leaving home.
If a holiday would have helped the person to connect with their culture, check whether there are any culturally-specific groups or events held near you that the person could attend.
Need an Alzheimer’s-conscious cleaner?
If you know someone who is living with dementia, see how we can help to give them a better quality of life for as long as possible by finding your nearest Merry Maids business or booking online today.
