Traveling with Dementia: 6 Tips to Decide if it’s a Good Idea

When your loved one has Alzheimer's disease or dementia, it doesn’t automatically mean that they can’t travel with you.

But it’s essential to honestly evaluate their symptoms before making a decision.

Even if someone is doing well in their familiar environment and daily routine, that doesn’t necessarily mean travel will go smoothly.

For example, wandering, agitation, or angry outbursts could increase when they’re out of their comfort zone. Routine and being home create feelings of security and comfort. When that familiarity gets interrupted by travel, all bets are off.

Safety is always the top priority for your older adult and you.

We share immediate signs that travel won’t be safe, six tips to help you determine if a trip will be successful, how to test if travel will work safely, and what you can do if travel isn’t possible.

Important: A person with dementia should never travel alone. There are too many decisions, complex directions, and strangers to interact with. They aren’t likely to make it safely to their destination. A trusted caregiver is needed to accompany them every step of the way.

Immediate signs that traveling with dementia isn’t safe

In general, these types of dementia symptoms mean that travel isn’t a safe option for your older adult:

• Later-stage dementia
• Frequent disorientation, confusion, or agitation (even in familiar places)
• Getting upset or anxious in crowded or loud environments
• Wanting to go home while on short outings or visits
• Delusional, paranoid, or inappropriate behavior
• Physical or verbal aggression
• Frequent or sudden yelling, screaming, or crying
• Wandering behavior
• Problems managing incontinence
• High risk of falls
• Unstable medical conditions

6 tips for deciding if traveling with dementia will be successful

1. How advanced are the dementia symptoms?

In the early stages of dementia, a person may still enjoy traveling. As the disease progresses, it might become too overwhelming.

It’s tougher to decide if travel will be a good idea in the middle stages of dementia.

In the middle stage, it’s crucial to be realistic when assessing their abilities and challenges. Symptoms can come and go and may vary widely, so it may be best to err on the side of caution.

If someone is in late-stage dementia, travel is usually not recommended.

In the late stage, the person with dementia will likely be easily fatigued and overwhelmed by everyday activities, more vulnerable to illness or infection, or struggling with physical abilities like sitting, eating, or swallowing.

2. How well are you coping with their dementia symptoms?

An important consideration that’s often overlooked is how you’re doing.

Traveling with someone with dementia is tough, even for an experienced caregiver.

You’ll need to manage unexpected situations, challenging behaviors (sometimes in public), lack of sleep, and extra-stressful situations.

If you’re coping well with your older adult’s current dementia symptoms, that’s a good sign.

But if you’re struggling to manage symptoms, feeling overwhelmed and burned out, or learning to deal with new symptoms, travel probably isn’t a good idea.

Adding to the current stress will not improve either of your quality of life, may make their symptoms temporarily worse, and would probably prevent both of you from enjoying the trip.

3. How do they do in crowded, loud, or confusing situations?

When you’re out with your loved one, how comfortable are they in public?

If their behavior can become uncontrolled or extreme in restaurants, grocery stores, or shopping malls, travel is most likely not a good idea.

Think about their typical reaction to crowded, loud, or busy places. Does being in public settings make them upset, angry, overly tired, anxious, or scared? Or do they get upset when plans change suddenly?

4. Is this trip worth it?

Because you can’t predict what will happen, it’s usually a risk to travel with someone who has dementia. Think about how important it is for them to take the trip and whether it’s worth that risk.

For example, a significant family event that will be meaningful and memorable carries more weight than a trip just for fun.

5. Where are you going and how will you get there?

Another consideration is your travel destination.

Familiar places, especially those your loved one visited often before they developed dementia, will be easier to adapt to.

Traveling to a place where you can minimize changes to your regular daily routine will also be helpful.

Also, consider how you would get to that location. For example, driving gives you more flexibility and control.

Air travel is hectic and unpredictable, so it’s typically more difficult. And short, direct flights are always better than long flights or multiple transfers.

6. What support system do you have while traveling and at the destination?

Another factor that could influence your decision is how much help you’ll have while traveling and at your destination.

If you’re taking care of your loved one by yourself throughout the trip, that’s very different from having other trusted, experienced caregivers to help.

A staycation helps you test their reaction to travel

If you’re on the fence about taking your loved one on a trip, it may help to take a short vacation right in your hometown – a “staycation.”

For example, you could book a few nights at a local hotel, drive around for a few hours before going there, eat all your meals out, and sleep there.

Act like it’s a real vacation, far from home. This test lets you see firsthand how your loved one handles the change in environment and routine.

If their symptoms worsen, you can easily end the test trip and go home.

What to do if travel isn’t possible for someone with dementia

Sometimes travel will be too overwhelming or exhausting for seniors with dementia. If that’s the case for your loved one, it’s best not to push them beyond their limits.

If they can’t travel, technology can help them enjoy a significant event or visit with relatives.

For example, if there’s a family wedding, arrange video chats so they can view the ceremony and talk with relatives. That way, they can still participate in the celebration.

Another thing to remember is that this doesn’t mean you can’t travel.

To allow you to go on a trip and take a much-needed break, consider asking family to take over, hiring in-home caregivers, or arranging a short respite stay in an assisted living community that meets their needs.

Recommended for you:

• Find Local Respite Care to Get a Break From Caregiving
• How to Understand and Manage Dementia Behaviors: A Comprehensive Guide
• When They Say No: 8 Ways to Introduce In-Home Care for Seniors

About the Author

Connie Chow

Connie was a hands-on caregiver for her grandmother for 20 years. (Grandma made it to 101 years old!) She knows how challenging, overwhelming, and all-consuming caring for an older adult can be. She also knows how important support is — especially in the form of practical solutions, valuable resources, and self-care tips.