Traveling with a person who has dementia requires careful planning and flexibility to ensure safety, comfort and enjoyment for everyone.

To make sure you have a safe trip, remember to do the following:

• Pack copies of important documents; medication; travel itinerary; comfortable change of clothes; water; snacks, and activities.
  
  
• Stick with the familiar. Travel to known destinations that involve as few changes in daily routine as possible.
  
  
• If you will be staying in a hotel, inform the staff ahead of time of your specific needs so they can be prepared to assist you.
  
  
• Travel during the time of day that is best for the person with dementia.
  
  
• Contact the Alzheimer's Association to find the nearest Association office that can provide assistance at your travel destination.

Air travel

Traveling in airports requires plenty of focus and attention. At times, the level of activity can be distracting, overwhelming or difficult to understand. If you’re traveling by plane, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Inform the airline and airport medical service department ahead of time of your needs to make sure they can help you.
  
  
• Consider informing security you are traveling with a person with dementia before you get in the security line; see if assistance is available.
  
  
• Remind airport employees and in-flight crew members of your needs. Even if walking is not difficult, consider requesting a wheelchair so that an airport employee is assigned to help you get from place to place in the airport.