We’re all living longer, and experts have estimated that by the year 2025, there will be around a million people living in the UK with a diagnosis of dementia. Dementia isn’t always an immediate, serious illness, and improvements in diagnosis and treatment techniques mean that many people with dementia live independently at home with their family for years before the illness progresses. Part and parcel of family life is going on holiday, but this can cause problems for people with a dementia diagnosis. There are a few tips which can make life much easier though.

Medical Insurance

Any medical condition is going to bump up the price of your travel insurance, and dementia is no exception. Don’t be tempted to risk it and travel uninsured as medical bills can be eye-watering. Within Europe, always get EHIC cover. Apply before you leave the UK, and you’ll need a separate card for each member of the family. You can use your EHIC in any of the EEA countries to see a GP or have emergency treatment in the state healthcare system, either free of charge or at minimal cost. This also applies to pre-existing medical conditions such as dementia. Plan ahead to do a bit of research on the healthcare system in the country you are visiting, know how to tell the difference between state and private, and always keep your EHIC documentation with you.

ID Details

One of the main concerns for anyone living with a loved one who has a dementia diagnosis is that they will wander off, or get lost and then not be able to find their way back to their hotel or apartment. Always make sure that they have ID on them at all times, and special medical wristbands giving their personal details and medical information are a good idea as they cannot be easily lost. Technology can help too, with GPS trackers or smartphone apps helping you keep tabs on where all members of the party are. Wallets which are worn around the neck or around the waist are a good idea as the can be tucked down underneath clothing and can be used for both money and essential documentation such as passport or EHIC.

Keep it Relaxed

Even in the very early stages of dementia, the change to the daily routine and the unfamiliar surroundings can cause distress and agitation. Try to keep the holiday as low-key as possible, don’t plan too many activities for the afternoon or evening when tiredness may be more of an issue, and be flexible with your plans so that if your loved one starts to show signs of agitation, you can easily change what you were intending to do. Families who regularly travel with family members who have dementia recommend packing small plug-in lights to install around the hotel room or apartment to make it easy to get your bearings at night, and making signs indicating where the kitchen or bathroom is can help too.