The document discusses planning travel with individuals who have dementia. It notes that those with dementia prefer familiar surroundings and activities to reduce uncertainty and confusion. Travel can be difficult for those with dementia due to constant changes in environment, separation from their comfort zone, and the need to be attentive at all times, which can be confusing. Those with dementia can travel, especially alone in the early stages, but precautions and assistance are needed. When traveling with someone with dementia, it is important to minimize stress and provide comfort and familiarity.

1. Planning Travel with
Dementia Loved Ones

2. Samvedna Senior Care www.SamvednaCare.com
PWD* Prefer Familiarity
• PWD* prefer familiar
surroundings
• They also prefer familiar
activities
• Familiarity helps reduce
uncertainty and confusion
*PWD – Person with Dementia

3. Samvedna Senior Care www.SamvednaCare.com
Why is Travel Hard for PWD?
• Constant change in
environment
• Separation from comfort
zone
• Need to be attentive &
alert at every step
• With dementia, it can all
be confusing, disorienting
and thus challenging

4. Samvedna Senior Care www.SamvednaCare.com
Can PWD Travel At All?
• They can and do travel
• Sometimes even alone
in early stages
• In later stages, they
need to be accompanied
• Precautions needs to be
taken whether alone or
with someone

5. Samvedna Senior Care www.SamvednaCare.com
Travelling Alone with Dementia
• PWD can travel alone in
early stages
• Carry a HELPCARD (with
your special needs written
on it) and you can show it
while requesting assistance
• Choose a stress free Taxi
Service where you can pre-
pay or pay later
• Train / Air Travel is not
suitable alone
Help Card

6. Samvedna Senior Care www.SamvednaCare.com
Driving with Dementia
• Can drive in early
stages
• May face confusion
in direction / process
of driving
• Eventually taxi or
even public
transport will be
safer

8. Samvedna Senior Care www.SamvednaCare.com
If a PWD must travel alone
• Contact the airport and
airline services and
inform them about the
dementia
• Check to see if they
commit assistance at
the airport / during the
flight
• Only if you’re certain of
such assistance should
you take the risk

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Reach the Airport Earlier then Usual
• It will take longer to get
through pre boarding
• Try to plan time to relax
in a quite place after
the hustle bustle

10. Samvedna Senior Care www.SamvednaCare.com
• You’re a traveler +
Caretaker
• Minimize bags,
especially hand
luggage
• Will need to attend
to PWD
• May need to hold
hand of PWD
Carry Fewer Bags

11. Samvedna Senior Care www.SamvednaCare.com
• Long travel with 1 or more
stops can be exhausting
• Take care of own needs +
needs of PWD such as going
to the washroom, getting
sleep, timely meals
• Need to keep track of
wandering
• 2 companions can divide
responsibilities
2 Companions for Longer Travel

12. Samvedna Senior Care www.SamvednaCare.com
• During security
check, follow PWD,
don’t be ahead of
them
• In case of
challenges, you can
better help them if
you’re behind
• If you’re ahead,
security may not
allow you to go back
Don’t Lead, Follow

13. Samvedna Senior Care www.SamvednaCare.com
• Many idle moments are
there during the flight, or
during waiting periods
• Use Music to relax the
person
• Carry Music of their choice
• Noise cancelling
headphones will distract
and prevent over-
stimulation
Relax with Music

14. Samvedna Senior Care www.SamvednaCare.com
• Carry their favorite
snacks
• Useful if the person
gets restless
• Pleasant distraction
• Helps prevent hunger
which can lead to
agitation
Food for Diversion

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• Go as far with them as
they find comfortable
• Show them how to
lock/unlock the door
• Take assistance from
flight crew
Assist in the Restroom

16. Samvedna Senior Care www.SamvednaCare.com
• Inform the airport +
flight staff about the
dementia
• Get a wheelchair if
needed
• You may use a
wheelchair even if the
person can walk as it
will promote other’s to
assist you
Take All Help Available