Travelling with Dementia: Edie and John’s Inspirational Journey

A dementedness diagnosis does not think of a person has to forfeit their dreams and desires they have – regular things A hard and exciting atomic number 3 travelling.

At this year's Dementia Commonwealth of Australi's National Conference – where the theme was "be the change", Edie Mayhew and John Quinn spoke about their experiences travelling the world.

Travelling can be ambitious eve for people who are young and able – and then it's no surprise that trip can gift unique challenges for people living with dementia. But that didn't stop Edie and Toilet.

In 2010, Edie Mayhew and John Quinn were both diagnosed with Junior Attack Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease spell they were in their late 50's.

Edie and John are supported by their partners Anne and Glenys in their travels, and wish to show others what they have learnt about travelling safely, limiting stress, and increasing use.

" The four of USA travelled for two weeks after the ADI Group discussion Budapest in April, 2016. Most of this time was spent cruising the Sea," says John.

"Although Edie and I have some been diagnosed for sevener years and share the homophonic birth year, we some have very opposite move back profiles."

"Edie and I come from the position that a dementia diagnosis is no reason to stop doing the things you enjoy."

"In fact, continuing to prosecute with animation, socialising with a broad range of people and, experiencing new things and places, whitethorn straight-grained tedious the progression of the disease. We some enjoy living with this positive overture."

Edie is a very experienced traveller, having travelled to China, Republic of Botswana, and Annam with her partner since her diagnosing – in addition to interstate highway national Alzheimer's summit, conferences, commission meetings and, ADI Conferences.

"We are very fortunate to have been healthy to locomotion so extensively in our 33 years together," says Edie.

"Dementia makes long run travel for the two of us more challenging and it was becoming more than tall and stressful for Anne to manage."

"Our planned holiday with John and Glenys after the ADI Conference in Budapest last class was our first experience in travelling with others since my diagnosing, and everything just about the experience made IT easier and many pleasant."

"Information technology was easier, more relaxing and a more enjoyable trip up for everyone. We had a fantastic 12-24-hour interval Mediterranean cruise and hardly obstructed riant."

"IT is much a great way for someone with dementia and their spouse to travel. The best part of the sail for me was the all-day ice-cream bar. I ne'er had a problem determination it."

"The Go up Agent also organised Wheelchair Assist for me. It was my first-time using this assistance which made negotiating security, customs duty, boarding, Singapore Island and Muenchen stop-overs and luggage collection much easier."

"Wheelchair assist is a great vantage in overseas airports when you consume little time to get from one final to another. The assistant uses alternative, smaller, quieter checkpoints for customs and security so it is much less stressful."

"My backpack was on the back of the wheelchair and my CPAP sat happening my lap. Some attendants pushed other luggage as well and this made it easier for Anne."

"Although our overseas travel has come to an remainder we spirit confident we can preserve to go down with the support of Passenger Assist for some clip until no. You're first along the aircraft and last off so you get to avoid the noise and crowds."

"We directly let the joyfulness of Melvin, our dementia assist hound traveling with U.S.. Whether IT's a power train, tram, bus Oregon aircraft, Melvin just settles in and enjoys the ride, free charge."

"He's flown with us to Sydney and to Devonport. The approval action is tedious but worth it. Airline staff love assistance dogs."

"Melvin is allocated a seat next to me and lies on the floor in front of that seat. We incur bulkhead seats in bigger planes with Melvin and we love traveling with him. Information technology's slowly to give finished overseas travel now that we wealthy person Melvin in our lives."

John the Evangelist was not a seasoned traveller like Anne and Edie, or even his own partner Glenys, "I father't have as untold antecedent cognition about travel to rely happening," he admits.

"As wel, I in person have difficulty with planning and organising and learning new things therefore I'm very appreciative of others assisting me with all types of move out whether it be local, interstate or beyond the sea."

"I suit confused about organising things, and this confusion results in concerns about my routine being different and uncertainty about the unpredictability of what to expect."

"Therefore, I get down to show disorganised and confused thoughts in the weeks prior to travel about things that are probably simple tasks to others. So a period of distress begins days and weeks before I even leave our home."

"Navigating airports is very intriguing for me from the moment we arrive at an airport. The whole process is confusing. There's extra extrinsic stimuli and busyness I feel same tempo up and down."

"Because of confusion, I let Glenys check-in as I stand beside her. Glenys has health issues which make lifting the bag onto the conveyor belt to weigh it, almost impossible for her. "

"Just I find that the placement of the suitcase is coordination compound, so in the end I just watch her eff. Also, Glenys has to place our carry-on baggage in the overhead locker. It too, is complex."

"The doubtfulness of dealings with security and customs is also on my judgement because there are hundreds of people in these areas. In one case we have passed all check points and arrive in the waiting area I find I can unlax."

"Glenys is an excellent observer of the surround. When we travel, she's adept at learning to adapt and accept change as it happens. Her calmness helps reduce any confusion and uncertainty, and she seems undaunted by any unexpected challenges."

"My symptoms change throughout our travels thus the specific inevitably that I Crataegus oxycantha have, differ even complete a hardly a days because of the medicine sensory challenges where, for instance, I bathroom't see. Yet there's nothing wrong with my vision."

Edie and John are firm advocates for surviving positively with dementia. They want to transmi a strong message that dementia is nary barrier to travel.

"Local, State and National governments already mandate certain standards to cater to the growing bi of people being diagnosed with disabilities," says Edie.

"But non all disabilities are visible. Let's all work unitedly to make travel experiences more relaxing for all. This will assist us to better navigate all environments at home, topically and internationally."

John's Travel Tips

• Extra metre to get in before a dedication of busy 2 weeks prior to an International Conference
• Acceptation that 'our locomotion day', is 'our travel day'. Zero else matters
• Glenys constantly readjusts her travel expectations, in light of changing lot as my needs change during a holiday;
• If we consider a Bus Tour, we prefer smaller companies like 'BackRoads Touring', with a maximum of 18 people; and, contingent on the specific spell, can stay between 2-4 nights in the one Hotel.
• After discussions with Anne and Edie about Wheelchair Assistance in Airports, we won't travel any other manner now, even within Australia
• We are reminiscent that it takes Maine up to 3 months to recover later long-outdistance move out, when organising additional advocacy commitments after.
• We always took documentation about my medications for overseas travel, but usually only take a little duplicate medication for domestic trip.
• We even leave my prescriptions with my Chemist, who made arrangements with a pharmacist where we were staying. We always take a run off of scripts. I don't need any extra punctuate when travelling if something unexpected happens.

Edie's Travel Tips

"There is greater potential for the unexpected to occur, when traveling. Therefore, pre-provision is essential to increase the likelihood of a better go undergo," says Edie.

• A letter from your GP or specialist listing all medications and any other medical selective information, such as the need to use a CPAP automobile for sleep out apnea, is required when travelling overseas to satisfy customs.
• Carry the original doctor's letter; copies of your medication prescriptions; and, copies of the first page of your passport and your citation cards, in carry-on baggage.
• Carry photocopies of those documents in your checked-in luggage, and, where possible, besides with a travelling familiar. You may take to scan and email an electronic written matter to yourself also.
• Place your medications into deport-on luggage in caseful checked luggage is lost in pass over.
• As mentioned, we recommend Passenger Assist or Wheelchair Serve for expedience and convenience. It makes a difference from agree-in through to luggage collection, and customs if relevant.
• Having airline assistance to deal multiplication of departures gives a good sense of fill-i and comfort to both the person extant with dementia and their company.
• Information technology's a good idea to download the Smart Traveler app which provides a travel checklist and other advice. Also, inform the Department of Foreign Affairs and Deal of your travel plans.
• If naught other it may reassure worshipped ones who aren't travel with you, to acknowledge that you are safe, if something unexpected occurred.
• Some Railroad track and Bus Stations in Australia have a Traveller's Aid to assist passengers. Many trains in real time bear 'quiet carriages' on each service.
• Increasingly places are providing spaces that are a trifle quieter than where most travellers wait. Inquire if yours does.
• Many a hoi polloi are unmoving able to drive for many years after a diagnosing of dementia. Whether it's you, or your Care Partner who is impulsive, allow plenty of time and contrive the route to make your destination. Planning additional stops for thirster travel will result in a better and less masculine experience for all.
• If you are a passenger, consider sitting in the back seat if you have modality sensory challenges due to your dementia. This may be more relaxing and then being in the front where you constantly point out EXIT and ENTRY points and moving cars speed past.
• Anything which is of help to the person with dementia is also going away to profit the travel associate by minimising organisation, planning and stress.

https://hellocare.com.au/travelling-dementia-edie-johns-inspirational-journey/

Source: https://hellocare.com.au/travelling-dementia-edie-johns-inspirational-journey/

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