The holiday season is a beautiful time for connection, but for caregivers, the thought of traveling—especially during the busy winter months—can bring added stress. If you are traveling with a person living with dementia or an older adult with specific needs, proper preparation isn’t just helpful; it’s essential for everyone’s well-being.
Your goal this holiday season isn’t just to reach your destination; it’s to get there and back with peace, minimal stress and confidence.
Part 1: The Road Trip Plan – Preparation is Protection
Traveling during the winter holidays—whether by car, plane or train—introduces specific complexities. A strong plan acts as your safeguard against unexpected hiccups.
1. Know Your Essentials and Your Loved One:
Before you pack everything, pare it down. What are the absolute essentials you need for the first 24 hours?
- Understand Their Triggers and Abilities: You know your loved one best. Plan your route, routines and activities based on their ability to handle change. If you know a certain area or traffic pattern causes stress, adjust your route to avoid it.
- Keep Minds Engaged (Stimulus): Idle hands and minds can lead to frustration and wandering. Pack small, essential items for stimulation during the drive:
- Fidget items for their hands. (Check out this blog about twiddle muffs!)
- Familiar scents or music.
- Books, puzzles or simple crafts to keep their mind moving.
2. Plan for Breaks and Safety on the Go:
Long periods in the car are stressful for everyone. Plan your rest stops meticulously.
- Pre-Plan Rest Stops: Know exactly where your breaks will be. Call ahead to confirm accessibility and safety if you are concerned about wandering risks in unfamiliar places.
- Utilize Vehicle Safety Features: Use your car’s safety features to your advantage, especially in cold weather:
- Engage door locks that prevent inside exit (“child lock”).
- Use seatbelt monitors to ensure they remain fastened.
- Utilize seat warmers or car blankets for comfort during cold weather drives.
- Reduce Trip Hazards (Parking): When stopping, make an effort to park on a flat surface. This simple step can significantly reduce the risk of trips and falls when helping your loved one get in and out of the car.
Part 2: Arrival Safety – Settling In and Setting Expectations
You made it! Take a deep breath—you deserve it. Now, the next stage of planning begins to ensure your stay is just as safe as your trip.
1. Prepare Your Host and Family:
If you are staying with friends or family, you must set clear, realistic expectations. This isn’t the time to pretend everything is “normal.”
- “Keep It Real”: Gently prepare your hosts and family about your loved one’s current state. Explain that this is not the person they knew five or two years ago.
- Communicate Triggers: Inform your family about specific triggers or behaviors they may encounter. This prevents misunderstandings and encourages support rather than confusion.
- Limit Activities: This trip is not the time to fit in every possible holiday activity. Keep the itinerary simple and appropriate for your loved one’s abilities (maybe just 2 or 3 activities total). Avoid overwhelming or overstimulating them—or yourself!
2. Be Ready for the Unexpected:
When you are away from home, having crucial information readily available is non-negotiable.
- Create an Emergency List: Have a physical and digital list of essential contacts and information, including:
- Your loved one’s doctor and pharmacy information.
- Current prescription list (names and dosages).
- A list of In Case of Emergency (ICE) contacts for your loved one.
- A secondary ICE list for you, the caregiver, in case of your own emergency.
- Know Local Emergency Contacts: Be sure you know the local hospital, non-emergency police line and local fire department or rescue team contacts for the area you are visiting. This saves precious time if a crisis occurs.
- Wandering Risk Mitigation: The risk of wandering is high in unfamiliar environments. Ensure your loved one is wearing a GPS device or ID bracelet. When at your destination, immediately identify safe, secure spaces and monitor entrances/exits.
Next Time: Review and Recharge
When the trip is over, take a moment to debrief. Acknowledge your amazing effort and take note of any hiccups that occurred. Writing down those “oh no” moments is important data to share with your loved one’s medical team for future preparation.
We know caregiving is a challenging journey and the holidays can amplify that difficulty. You deserve peace of mind.
You don’t have to plan this alone. Contact us today. Our professional caregiver counselors can provide the personalized guidance and resources you need to plan a safe, less stressful holiday season for you and your loved one.
GUIDANCE FOR YOUR CAREGIVING JOURNEY
Have questions about caregiving?
Kindness Asemota
Caregiver Case Manager
The post Holiday Travel Safety: Your Guide to Stress-Free Trips with a Loved One first appeared on CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions.