Desert Health News - November-December 2024

. With the holiday season upon us, traveling is likely top of mind for many individuals and their families. However, those caring for someone with dementia may be wondering if traveling is a realistic option. The good news is that taking a dementia-friendly trip, while ensuring your loved one’s safety, comfort and enjoyment, is possible. Steps to ease potential challenges when traveling include: Consider your loved one’s abilities and safety. Discusstravelplanswiththeirphysician to determine if travel is recommended or safe. If it is, pick destinations that were familiar to your loved one before the onset of dementia and involve as few changes in their daily routine as possible. If your loved one is better in the morning, make morning activities a priority and do not overschedule the trip. Allow plenty of time for them to relax and acclimate to their surroundings. You may want to bring another person or two on the trip so that you, as the primary caregiver, can have a break and backup support if needed. Determine the easiest mode of transportation. Once you select a location, identify a transportation option that will be most comfortable for your loved one and will cause the least amount of anxiety. If flying, travel at a less busy time of day, book a direct flight, and pay for aisle seats closer to the front of the plane with a little extra space and fewer distractions. Call the airline ahead of time to let them know you are traveling with someone with a disability and will need assistance expediting security lines and getting to the gate. Ensure your loved one always has identification. Especially when traveling, persons with dementia should always have identification on them that cannot be taken off, like an Alzheimer’s safe return bracelet or medical bracelet. Do not depend on a wallet or phone as these items can be left behind or stolen. Take your loved one’s important information and documents with you, such as their doctors’ names and contact information, a list of their current medications and dosages, a list of their food or drug allergies, their health insurance information and a list of their emergency contacts. Consider a trial-run trip close to home. See how your loved one does on a smaller scale first. Give some thought to the entire process of traveling, envisioning potential obstacles and worst-case scenarios — weather delays, longer lines or missed connections — and how you might deal with them. This can be a good test to see what may be stressful and could lead to more disorientation for your loved one. In addition, let them know about the trip ahead of time, bring books, magazines and games to keep them engaged and take frequent rest and bathroom breaks during the trip. Traveling with a loved one with dementia can be challenging. However, with the proper preparation and mindset, family members can help make the experience, and your holiday memories, more enjoyable for everyone. Editorial by Patricia Riley, board member of Alzheimers Coachella Valley, a community resource for dementia support and education. For more information, call (760) 776.3100 or visit www.cvalzheimers.org. www.DesertHealthNews.com November/December 2024 Through the Generations The Valley ' s Leading Resource for Health and Wellness 18 www.cvalzheimers.org www .caregivingtoolkit.com Help is Here One Book for Complete Managed Care that gets everything organized, on track and functioning smoothly. For speaking engagements contact Arlene at info@caregivingtoolkit.com • www.caregivingtoolkit.com Arlene’s many years of caring for her veteran husband and aging parents coupled with 30 years in education and business administration has led to the creation of a Sanity Saving Survival System. 1 in 3 adults provides care for ill or disabled family members or friends. Managing that care can be done compassionately and successfully with the right tools. www.canaanhomecare.com Did you hear the news? 41-750 Rancho Las Palmas, Ste. N-1 Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 HCO# 374700391 760.904.4122 x200 CanaanHomeCar .com At Canaan Home Care , we care for you like family... • Personalized in-home care solutions for all of life’s cognitive and mobility challenges: - ADLs - dressing, ambulation, bathing, transferring, toileting, grooming, etc. - IADLs - meal prep, housekeeping, errands, medication reminders, transportation, etc. • Affordable and flexible care solutions guaranteed to keep you in control, safe, and thriving at home • Dedicated concierge care manager and professional caregivers available to support you 24/7 Grand Opening of our new Rancho Mirage location Helping 5,000+ Southern California families since 1982 Thoughtful planning can help keep travel memories positive. A Caregiver’s Guide to Emergency and Evacuation Planning By Arlene Gotshalk Tips for Traveling with a Loved One with Dementia Compliments of Alzheimers Coachella Valley As a caregiver, are you ready for a flood, fire, hurricane or haboob? Having a well- thought-out plan in place can help protect the health and safety of yourself and those for whom you care. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you develop an effective plan. Know your needs. If the person you care for has special medical or mobility needs, plan for how you will manage medications, medical treatments, a backup power source and any assistive devices during an emergency. Determine specific vulnerabilities such as mobility issues, medical conditions, communication challenges or the need for reliable power. Get medical records and identification ready. Keep copies of medical records, a medications list, insurance cards and treatment plans easily accessible. Make sure everyone has proper identification and contact information including health care providers, emergency services and family members. Keep important papers in a waterproof file and digital copies stored securely online or on a portable USB drive. Develop a plan. Compile a list of important contacts including family members, doctors, and emergency services. Identify and map out primary and secondary evacuation routes from your home or facility. Ensure routes are accessible to those with mobility issues. Choose safe places to go in case of evacuation, such as shelters, friends' homes or designated safe zones. Prepare a “Go Kit” with essential supplies. Customize the kit based on the specific needs of your care recipient (e.g., hearing aids, mobility aids, dietary needs). Include: • Medication, a medication list and medical supplies • Drinking water and nonperishable food • Cell phone, charger and flashlight • Portable radio (check batteries regularly) • First aid kit including face masks • Clothing, toiletries, prescription glasses and cash • Blanket…and don’t forget the pets! Develop a communication plan. Identify how to receive emergency alerts and warnings throughweather apps, radioor a landlinephone, etc. Keepall communication devices fully charged. If applicable, have alternative communication devices for those with hearing or speech impairments. Share information. Make sure everyone on the care team understands the emergency plan, including care recipients, family members and other caregivers. Provide the plan in accessible formats if needed, such as large print, audio or digital formats. Conduct regular drills with those in your care to practice evacuation procedures and ensure everyone knows what to do in case of an emergency. Ensure caregivers and those in your care are trained in basic first aid and CPR. Review and update your plan and supplies regularly. Another important preparation tip is to download the FEMA app at www.ready. gov. By taking these steps, you can create a robust emergency and evacuation plan tailored to the specific needs of those in your care, helping to ensure their safety and well-being. Arlene Gotshalk is the author of CareGiving Toolkit and can be reached at (831) 588.3373 or info@caregivingtoolkit.com .