Safe Holiday Travel with Alzheimer’s

Holiday time is vacation time for many families. But if your family includes someone who has Alzheimer’s, you’ll need to do a little extra planning. These 6 tips will help you make your vacation both fun and safe for everyone.

Be realistic. Your loved one with Alzheimer’s needs extra downtime, so plan your travel and activities with that in mind. If traveling by plane, fly nonstop. But however you travel, keep travel time under four hours to make things easiest.

Stay alert. People with Alzheimer’s often wander off and get lost, so it’s important to keep your eye on them at all times. The Alzheimer’s Association offers Medic Alert + Safe Return, a service that provides 24-hour assistance if your loved one becomes lost.

Watch the clock. People with Alzheimer’s often have times of day when they are usually at their best — or at their worst. A common feature of Alzheimer’s is Sundowner’s Syndrome, in which the person with Alzheimer’s becomes more confused or agitated as it starts to get dark. During the short winter days, it is especially important to be sure to get to your destination early, before Sundowner’s sets in.

Pack smart. Travel delays can happen to anyone, but you need to be extra prepared for any sort of delay or emergency if your companion has Alzheimer’s. Be sure to pack:

• Extra medication, in case your trip is delayed
• A list of emergency contacts
• Copies of important documents, such as a medication list, power of attorney, and advanced directives
• A recent photo of your loved one

Keep it light. Be sure there is a well-lit, unobstructed path to the bathroom, and keep the bathroom light on all night.

Know when to stop. Traveling with a loved one who has Alzheimer’s may be possible for many years. But be aware of when the disease has progressed enough to make it unmanageable — whether on the road or at home. If you are concerned about how to take care of your loved one, contact Laurel Bay Health and Rehabilitation Center, in Keansburg, NJ.

We offer specialized health services and programs for our residents suffering from Dementia and Alzheimer’s. This includes our sensory programs and activities provided in a secured environment. We also offer respite care for those times when the caretaker needs to be taken care of, and hospice care if required.

Our residents receive the highest quality rehabilitative and skilled nursing care in a homelike and compassionate environment conducive to healing.

Our family-owned and -operated 123-bed facility, is tucked away in the quiet beach town of Keansburg, NJ at the Jersey Shore, within sight of Sandy Hook and the New York City skyline.

Other services include short-term rehab, and long-term care. We proudly provide the following specialty healthcare services: complex medical care management, intravenous (IV) therapy, wound care, enteral feeding, pain management, oxygen therapy, tracheostomy care, a dedicated pulmonary program, hospice care with private suites, a stroke rehab program, respiratory support, eye care, dental care, podiatry care, and psychological consults and counseling.

We pride ourselves on healing the entire patient through a holistic and individualized approach.

Our meticulous care planning helps us ensure that each and every resident receives the best in clinical care, support and unconditional love.

For over 25 years, we have been a staple of health and wellness, serving the members of our community and partnering with our local hospitals like Bayshore Community Hospital in Holmdel, NJ and Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, NJ.

We provide a tailored program of physical, occupational and speech therapy, as well as all types of specialized care under one roof.

Read our reviews on senioradvisor.com, wellness.com, and caring.com to hear what our residents and their families have to say.

Or better yet, come see for yourself. Contact us to schedule a tour by clicking here or by calling (372) 787-8100.