← Return to Traveling with Alzheimers spouse: Is confusion expected?

Discussion
Comment receiving replies
Profile picture for mm180 @mm180

I haven't traveled overnight to any locations with my spouse for a year - he has Parkinson's and Lewy Body Dementia, and also vision impairment (legally blind) from glaucoma. The trip a year ago was a car trip about 250 miles away and 2 nights in a hotel and then a drive back. He was very enthusiastic to go, however, he was disoriented while we were away from home on the trip and really struggled to participate in any activities. He naps most days from 2-5 pm, and sleeps from 9 pm - 7:30 am. It really doesn't allow for much time to do activities even if he does want to participate. It was also a lot of work for me, since I had to do all of the planning, packing, driving, moving luggage, etc. It was really not enjoyable for me to have him along, which is sad to say, because we used to enjoy traveling so much together. We take day trips (about 2 hours away and then back the same day) currently, but these are a long days for him and being out of his routine seems like it will be fun, but it's a very tiring day for him. I can't even imagine what it would be like to try to navigate a crowded airport with him, so I have decided that we have taken all of the trips together that we are going to take. I will take some trips on my own while I can still leave him with others to help him. I enjoy traveling to see friends and family as well as sightseeing, but I can't enjoy myself when he is with me. This is a sad realization for me.

Jump to this post


Replies to "I haven't traveled overnight to any locations with my spouse for a year - he has..."

@mm180
I completely relate to your issues. My wife has Lewy Body and is generally apathetic about traveling anywhere. But we still travel up to 4 hours to see friends and I have put her in a diaper a couple of times to avoid any accidents on the road. She finds it embarrassing even though you wouldn't know she had it on. But it still effects her mood and happiness.
She can't use the toilet by herself and I have started a list of places we can stop for restrooms where I can accompany her in to assist. Problem is in the South there aren't any family restrooms on the road. I've started just taking her into the men's room with me. That can get you some funny looks and it's not always going to be a one holer when we stop. The restroom issues is one of our biggest obstacles to our traveling.
How do you handle these situations?