Alzheimer and vacations: traveling peacefully with a sick loved one

Table of contents

1. Should we go or not?

2. Preparing for departure

3. Choosing the destination and accommodation

4. Managing daily life on site

5. Activities and relaxation

6. Alternatives: adapted stays and respite

Should we go or not? {#should-we-go}

Benefits of vacations

For your loved one:

• Change of air (can be stimulating)
• Moments of pleasure (sea, mountains, nature)
• Maintaining social ties (family together)

For you, the caregiver:

• Mental rest (getting away from daily life)
• Rejuvenation (essential for endurance)
• Quality time with your loved one (away from usual stress)

Risks and challenges

For your loved one:

• Increased disorientation (new environment, loss of landmarks)
• Anxiety, agitation (disturbing changes)
• Sleep disturbances (unknown bed)
• Risk of wandering (increased confusion)

For you:

• Organizational stress (preparation, management on site)
• Fatigue (managing loved one + unforeseen events)
• Vacations not really restful

When going is a good idea

Mild to moderate stage

Still able to adapt a bit, enjoy.

Calm person, few behavioral issues

Less risk of crises.

Familiar destination

Return to usual vacation spot (existing landmarks).

You are exhausted

Vital need to change the air (even if not perfect).

When going is not advised

Advanced stage

Too much disorientation, impossible to adapt.

Severe behavioral issues

Aggressiveness, frequent wandering, constant agitation.

Fragile health

Frequent infections, recent hospitalizations.

You are already at your limit

If preparation = unbearable overload, better to consider respite solution (temporary care).

The decision is yours: Evaluate benefits vs risks according to your situation.

Preparing for departure {#preparing}

Medical consultation (2 months before)

Visit to the primary care physician:

Dentist: Check (toothache on vacation = disaster).

Vaccinations: Up to date (if destination requires).

Documents and administration

To take:

1. Health card + insurance

2. Prescriptions (originals + copies)

3. Health booklet (summary of pathologies, treatments)

4. Medical contacts: Primary care physician, pharmacy, people to notify.

5. Mobility inclusion card (CMI) if owned (priorities, parking).

6. Contact details of local doctors (nearby hospital, on-call doctor).

Photocopies: Make duplicates (in case of loss).

Medications

Sufficient quantity (+ a few days' reserve).

Pill organizers prepared (one week in advance, avoids forgetfulness).

In carry-on luggage (if flying): Never in checked luggage (risk of loss).

Prescription with: Justify possession of medications (airport checks).

Notify those around you on site

If family, friends on site:

Inform them of the illness, the difficulties.

Explain behaviors (avoid shock, judgments).

Ask for their help if necessary (supervision, respite).

Travel insurance

Prepare your loved one psychologically

Announce several times (forgetting from one day to the next).

Simple explanation: "We are going to the seaside for a few days."

Photos of the place (if possible): Visualize (reduces anxiety).

Not too far in advance: Announce 3-4 days before (otherwise forgetfulness or anxious rumination).

Luggage

Familiar clothes (not new = reassuring).

Landmark objects:

Toiletry bag: Usual products (do not change brands = source of confusion).

Incontinence pads (if necessary): Sufficient quantity.

Identification bracelet: Name, phone number, "Alzheimer" (in case of wandering).

Choosing the destination and accommodation {#destination}

Criteria for choosing a destination

1. Proximity

Short journey (2-3h max): Limited fatigue, quick return if problems arise.

Avoid long flights (airport stress, time zone changes, fatigue).

2. Calm environment

Quiet seaside, countryside, mountains (not high altitude).

Avoid:

3. Medical accessibility

Hospital, doctor nearby (less than 30 min).

Accessible pharmacy.

4. Familiar place (ideal)

Usual vacation spot (family home, known village).

Existing landmarks = less disorientation.

If new place: Choose simple, calm, low-stimulation.

Types of accommodation

1. House/apartment rental

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

Tips:

2. Hotel / tourist residence

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

Tips:

3. Holiday village / adapted senior residence

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

Look for "adapted Alzheimer stays" (associations, specialized platforms).

Managing daily life on site {#daily-life}

Maintaining routines

Routine = reassuring for a person with Alzheimer’s.

On site:

Same schedules (waking, meals, bedtime) as at home.

Same rituals (morning coffee, afternoon walk, evening TV).

Adapt, but do not completely disrupt.

Orientation in the accommodation

First day: tour together (toilets, bedroom, kitchen).

Repeat several times (short-term memory).

Signs: "Toilets" with pictogram on the door.

Leave doors open (see where to go).

Night lights (avoid nighttime disorientation).

Preventing disorientation

Visible family photos (in the room).

Stay close (do not leave alone for long).

Reassure often: "We are on vacation, everything is fine, I am here."

Home return mentioned: "We are going back in 3 days" (if separation anxiety).

Meal management

Cook familiar dishes (if renting): Familiar tastes = reassuring.

Restaurant: Choose calm, not too noisy.

Fixed hours (like at home).

Hydration: Drink enough (heat, dehydration worsens confusion).

Sleep

Dark, quiet room.

Comfortable bed: Bring usual pillow (familiar smells).

Bedtime ritual identical (toilet, pajamas, soft music).

If insomnia: Patience (disturbed night = normal, adaptation needed).

Medications: absolute vigilance

Pill organizer: Never forget dose.

Phone alarms (reminder times).

If in doubt: Better to give twice (check) than not at all.

Safety and supervision

Identification bracelet (name, phone number, "Alzheimer").

Activities and relaxation {#activities}

Adapted activities

Quiet walks:

Nature observation:

Music:

Simple games:

Photos:

Sensorial activities:

Avoid overstimulation

Not too many activities (fatigue, confusion).

Calm environments (no crowds, intense noises).

Respect signs of fatigue: If tired, go back to rest.

Moments for you

Respite necessary: You also need to enjoy.

Solutions:

Occasional help:

Alternating activities:

Realistic expectations: Vacations with Alzheimer’s ≠ "normal" vacations. It’s OK.

Alternatives: adapted stays and respite {#alternatives}

If going together is too difficult

You NEED a vacation, but going with your loved one = impossible?

Respite solutions:

1. Temporary accommodation

Nursing home, temporary care (a few days to weeks):

Guilt? It’s normal. But taking care of yourself = essential for long-term endurance.

2. Enhanced day care

If short vacations (long weekend):

Day care for several consecutive days (family/friends sleep at your place, manage nights).

You go away for 2-3 days: Short, but rejuvenating.

Adapted Alzheimer vacation stays

Specialized facilities offer supervised stays (caregiver + loved one):

Advantages:

Look for:

Cost: Sometimes subsidized (APA, insurance, local aid).

Testimonials

Claire, went with her mother (moderate Alzheimer’s)

"We went for 5 days to the seaside, family home. Mom knew it, it reassured her. I maintained her routines (same meal times, nap). She enjoyed: beach walks, ice cream, music in the evening. I also got to relax. It wasn’t perfect (one difficult night), but overall it was successful. I would do it again."

Marc, gave up traveling, chose temporary accommodation

"I needed a real vacation (exhausted). Going with Dad (advanced Alzheimer’s) = impossible. I put him in temporary accommodation for 2 weeks. Huge guilt. But I went, I recharged. When I returned, I was a better caregiver. Dad coped well (great staff). It was the right decision."

Sophie, adapted stay with her husband

"We did a 'Respite Vacation' stay, organized by the Alzheimer association. 1 week in the mountains. Activities for my husband (accompanied walks, games), workshops for me (discussion groups, sophrology). We met other couples. Liberating! We were understood, not judged. Best stay since the illness."

Conclusion: Vacations are possible with preparation and flexibility

Going on vacation with a person with Alzheimer’s is not an impossible mission, but it requires preparation, adaptation, and acceptance that it will not be "classic" vacations. With the right choices (calm destination, adapted accommodation, maintained routines), you can offer your loved one moments of pleasure and give yourself a bit of respite.

The keys to successful vacations:

1. ✅ Assess if departure is relevant (stage of illness, health status)

2. ✅ Prepare meticulously (medications, documents, routines)

3. ✅ Choose an adapted destination (calm, nearby, familiar if possible)

4. ✅ Maintain routines (schedules, reassuring rituals)

5. ✅ Enhanced safety (supervision, identification bracelet)

6. ✅ Realistic expectations (different vacations, it’s OK)

7. ✅ Alternatives if necessary (temporary accommodation, adapted stays)

You are not alone. Our Alzheimer training guides you through all these situations. EDITH continues cognitive stimulation even on vacation. Free guide: Tips for daily support.

DYNSEO resources to support you:

Vacations with Alzheimer’s may not resemble those from before. But they can exist. Simple moments: watching the sea together, feeling the wind, listening to the waves. Your loved one may not remember. But you will. And those moments are worth their weight in gold. Take care of yourself too. You deserve it.