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Sonja and David eagerly looked forward to their yearly cruises. When David was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, Sonja saw no reason to just sit around at home and wait for the end. She continued to travel with David until less than a year before he finally succumbed to his illness.

If your loved one has Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia you can still enjoy traveling with her, but you will want to take some basic precautions and make sure to buy travel insurance.

Plan ahead. If your loved one needs special accommodations, make sure you notify the places where you will be staying. David, for instance, needed a wheelchair accessible room for the last two years of his illness. Make sure to buy travel insurance for over 65

Make sure your loved one has identification. In case you become separated from your loved one, make sure he is carrying identification with his full name, your name, and how to get in touch with you. (On trips, make sure to list your cell phone number and not just your home number.) A Safe Return bracelet from the Alzheimer’s Association is ideal, but a laminated card that goes in a wallet, a purse, or a pocket can also work. Take this step even if you are sure your loved one still remembers his name. In a stressful situation, even the most basic memories can slip away from a person with Alzheimer’s.

Keep an eye on your loved one. People with Alzheimer’s quickly lose their sense of direction so that even getting around in their own home can become a challenge. I once worked with a man who stepped outside to get his morning paper, forgot which home was his, and got lost. So don’t leave your loved one alone or send her off by herself in an unfamiliar environment. Where she goes, you go.

Allow time for rest. When people with dementia become exhausted, their confusion worsens and they may grow irritable and even combative. Choose low energy activities, give your loved one a chance to rest during the day, and don’t plan on too many late nights.

As much as possible, establish a routine. People with dementia do better when they know what to expect. A vacation can be disconcerting because it throws them into a new and unfamiliar environment. As much as possible, follow the daily routine you’ve established at home (e.g., get up, shower and dress, eat breakfast, take a morning walk, etc.). 

Plan a simple explanation if your loved one exhibits unusual behavior. As David’s dementia progressed, he began making sexually inappropriate comments to young women. Sonja learned to say quietly to his targets, “Please forgive my husband, he has a cognitive impairment.” Your fellow travelers are likely to be very forgiving once they understand that your loved one is ill.

Have fun. Focus on what your loved one can do rather than on what he can’t do. Make plenty of time for activities that are still pleasurable to both of you such as a stroll on the beach or a quiet dinner for two. Even though your loved one’s memory is fading, he can still revel in the present moment.

If you are taking another sort of trip, consider backpacker’s insurance.