‘I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.’ — Susan Sontag
Travelling and going on holidays plays an important role in many of our lives. Although living with dementia may make holidays more complex, it doesn’t necessarily mean these plans need to be put aside.
Booklet : Travelling and holidays with dementia / Alzheimer’s Australia, 2016
This guide has been developed by Alzheimer’s Australia for people with dementia, their families, carers and friends, as well as for health professionals.
It provides a summary of the key issues surrounding travelling and holidaying when living with dementia and provides the reader with a number of tips for an enjoyable holiday.
Download
Ensuring a Smooth Journey: A Guide to Brisbane Airport for People Living with Dementia and their Travel Companions (2017)
Australia has its first dementia-friendly airport, Brisbane Airport, thanks to collaboration between airport staff, researchers and dementia advocates. This guide aims to make the experience of navigating through Brisbane Airport’s domestic and international terminals as simple, stress free and enjoyable as possible.
Importantly the guide also provides information about other airports around the world and general information applicable to all air travel. Download the guide
Blog post: Tips for travelling with a person with dementia
Imelda Gilmore shares her reflections of travelling with her partner Graham
Book chapter: Swaffer, Kate and Low, Lee-Fay (2016). Travel and dementia. In: Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. London: New Holland, p.191-195.
This chapter covers, planning, accommodation, packing and insurance as well as other wisdom learned by the author in her travels.
Article:Making air travel easier for people with dementia / Australian Journal of Dementia Care August 2016
Until now, there’s been very little research on the issue of air travel for people with dementia. Maria O’Reilly and Nicole Shepherd are exploring the issue from the perspective of people with dementia, their carers, airport staff and flight crews, to develop guidelines and resources that will make air travel easier. Read article
Report – ABC Radio National:Airlines unprepared for increasing number of travellers with dementia
With a record number of people over 65 flying domestically and internationally, the number of passengers with dementia is steadily on the rise— posing safety concerns and questions about the rights of people with disabilities. Full report
Flying with dementia or memory problems
Following on from the ABC report above this travel site gives specific details about various relevant airline policies as well as other procedural items that go hand in hand with air travel. Read post
