🎵 Vacation – “We Got the Beat… but we need a plan”
- jessica97150
- Mar 17, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Well… now you’re trying to live in the moment, right?
Make memories. Take the trips. Do the things.
But how does that actually look with Alzheimer’s?
We’ve been traveling a few times a year for the last 3 years, and here’s the truth:
👉 Preparation and planning are everything.
Your loved one is comfortable in their environment. They have routines. Familiar spaces. Muscle memory.
When you take that away—even for something “fun”—there will be some havoc.
Be ready for:
Frustration
Crankiness
Anxiety
Even some sadness (when they realize what they can’t do)
And one big rule:👉 Do NOT introduce brand new activities with no familiarity(No zip lining, scuba diving, or anything that requires learning something new)
🕒 Keep the Routine (This matters more than the destination)
Can you keep the same sleep and eating routine on vacation?
Try.
Keep them in their normal time rhythm as much as possible
Let them nap (don’t overpack your schedule)
Don’t plan every minute because you’re stir crazy
If your life at home is:
Judge Wapner at 7pm and fish sticks…
Then guess what?👉 Try to recreate that on vacation too.
Routine = Comfort = fewer meltdowns
🍫 Food = Mood (always pack it)
I always travel with:
Protein shakes
Bars (Kind bars with low glycemic index are amazing)
Nuts (walnuts are brain food)
Snacks I KNOW he’ll eat
Because:
You may not get to a store right away
Blood sugar = mood stability (even if not diabetic)
This has saved us more than once.
🚗 Car Travel – “Don’t you forget about me”
Car trips require patience.
Plan bathroom breaks
Pack snacks within reach
Expect things to take longer
I also use drives as a soft memory exercise:
“Remember when we went to the mountains? What did you like best?”
Sometimes it connects. Sometimes it doesn’t. Either way—it’s a gentle way to meet them where they are.
✈️ Flights – reduce stress BEFORE it starts
Airports can be overwhelming.
What helps us:
Notify TSA and flight attendants ahead of time
Get TSA PreCheck if you travel often (worth it) and bonus AMEX platinum or Gold re-imburses you for some of the cost.
One word: medication
He has a prescribed anti-anxiety pill—half a dose makes a huge difference.
Noise matters more than you think
Planes are loud. Kids cry. It’s chaos.
Noise-canceling headphones = game changer.
We also have these "Loops" for concerts or other loud venues
🚢 Cruise & Organized Travel
When booking:
Select “disability/medical needs”
This often gives:
Early boarding
Assistance
Better support from staff
I also:
Print a card with:
Name
Diagnosis
Ship name + room number
My phone number
He carries it with his ship card on a lanyard.
We also get cruise Wi-Fi so we can text (and yes… keep routines like evening shows).
🚪 Rooms (Hotels, Cruise, Airbnb) – THIS is critical
Always inspect the room immediately.
Ask yourself:👉 “Can they get out without me knowing?”
Because… it happens.
Mine once walked into the cruise hallway in his underwear looking for the bathroom.
Not funny at the time—but very real.
What I do now:
Put luggage in front of the door (noise barrier)
Use a door wedge alarm
Block or secure balcony access
Keep bathroom door open
Add night lights or toilet lights
Think:👉 “Make the bathroom easy to find”👉 “Make the exit hard to access”
🌙 Night Safety
Nighttime is when things get tricky.
Leave a clear path to the bathroom
Use night lights
I sleep on the side where I’ll notice movement
You’ve taken them out of their environment—Now you have to recreate safety cues instantly
If you don’t have one yet—it’s time.
Ours includes:
Name
Alzheimer’s + Aphasia
My phone
Child’s phone
Address
Bonus: When he struggles speaking, he shows it—and people respond with kindness.
Win/win.
🎒 Personal “Go Bag”
He carries his own “man bag” (yes… a murse 😄)
Inside:
Phone
Charger
ChapStick
Snack
Pills
Cash
And a note with my contact info (just in case)
👉 I also bring FULL medication bottles—not pill organizers. So there’s no confusion in an emergency.
💊 Medication – watch it closely
Vacation = broken routine = missed meds
This one matters.
Example: We missed a dose of Aricept one night…
Next morning:
Aggression
Irritability
Total personality shift
Now:👉 I WATCH meds being taken👉 I set alarms for myself
🌊 Activities – be flexible
Not every day will be a good day.
Example: My husband was a master diver. I booked a diving excursion…
We got there—and he didn’t want to go in.
And that’s okay.
👉 Roll with it👉 Don’t push👉 Don’t get frustrated
Now I:
Book lower-cost excursions
Build in flexibility
Expect plans to change
🤒 Travel Health Kit
This is new for us—but now essential:
Advil
DayQuil / NyQuil
COVID tests
Cold meds
Because hygiene habits change… and it’s better to be prepared.
💡 The Real Talk Ending
Here’s the truth:
👉 Lower your expectations👉 Don’t over plan👉 Expect hiccups
Your life is different now.
Every trip we’ve taken has had challenges. Every trip has also had moments I wouldn’t trade for anything.
“It may not be perfect… but it’s still yours.”
Disclaimer: (see full at main page)
I’m not a doctor—just a spouse sharing real-life experiences with Early Onset Alzheimer’s. What worked for us may not work for you, so always check with your healthcare provider.
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