Alzheimer's Care: Travel Tips from Visiting Angels Portland

If your loved one in the Portland area has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, you may be working with a professional Alzheimer’s care provider to assist with their care in Portland. However, what should you do if you need to travel with your loved one outside their home environment? At Visiting Angels^® Portland, our Alzheimer’s care services support seniors and their families in Portland, Beaverton, Tigard, Lake Oswego, Milwaukie, and the surrounding communities. Read on for some of our experts' tip for keeping your loved one secure and comfortable while traveling.

Our Alzheimer’s Care Tips for a Safe Trip

Visiting Angels Portland has listed some tips about Alzheimer's care to keep in mind as you plan your travels with your loved one:

• Bring important Alzheimer's care documents. Be sure to pack copies of documents relevant to your loved one’s Alzheimer's care in Portland. These may include an up-to-date medical history, emergency contact list, phone numbers of your loved one’s physicians, a list of current medications, and legal paperwork.
• Build your trip itinerary around your loved one’s schedule. Do what you can to minimize disruptions to your loved one’s normal routine, including meal times and sleep times. This will help him or her feel less overwhelmed and disoriented by the new surroundings.
• Stay vigilant about wandering. Being in a new environment may prompt your loved one to wander. Take a few safety measures in advance, including giving him or her an identity bracelet and registering with MedicAlert^® + Alzheimer's Association Safe Return^®. Of course, it’s also vital that you keep a watchful eye out at all times and stay by your loved one’s side.
• Provide your emergency contacts with detailed travel plans. Write out your itinerary in detail and provide each of your emergency contacts with a copy. Don’t forget to include phone numbers and addresses for your accommodations, as well as specific travel information, such as your flight numbers.
• Travel comfortably. When you’re in the process of choosing your accommodation and transportation, select the options you think will be the most comfortable for your loved one and the least stressful for you. Also be sure to plan for extra buffer time during your travels and avoid tight connections.

Does your loved one in Portland benefit from the support and assistance of a professional Alzheimer’s care provider? Call Visiting Angels Portland today to get started with Alzheimer’s care in Portland, Beaverton, Tigard, Lake Oswego, Milwaukie, or the surrounding communities.