My husband has mid-stage Alzheimer's. He is very social and is able to be alone for short stretches, although he is most comfortable when "velcroed" to me. He does not wander, and has no combative or aggressive behaviors. We loved to travel in pre-Covid days, and I would like to resume travelling for as long as he is able. Would a cruise be a good choice for us?
I am telling you this, maybe to remind myself, that our traveling days are over. I'd love to go on another cruise. I love a destination vacation. I love to just go to the store.......like the 'good old days'. We've been married for over 50 years. I love him dearly. I would not put him through this again for anything.
Book a weekend at a hotel nearby. One with a pool and spa that you can enjoy.
See how well he does for a weekend.
Or go visit a friend or relative overnight. See how well he does away from home and in different surroundings and with his routine gone.
Either of these might give you an idea how he would react away from home for a brief time.
Take him to a busy mall and see how well he does with loud noises and a lot of people.
All of these, even if he does well is not a 100% guarantee that he will do well at the airport, on the flight and during transfer to the port. And going through security could be confusing and a challenge.
OK...Google is your friend...
I just Googled and there apparently are Dementia Friendly tour groups and cruises. Check the Alzheimer's Association website they might have info. Or just google dementia friendly cruises or tours.
i would book the nicest dinner cruise that lake havasu has with an overnight before at a great hotel with pool and spa. It’s gonna take 3 hours at least to get there and you can see how he does in the car and at the hotel with cruise ship scenarios, like kids running around the pool. If all’s good, see how the actual cruise experience is like. You might book another night at the same hotel.
this may be enough for him. But if he wishes to travel further with you, you’ll have a better idea of what is realistic.
Anyway this cruise was Hawaii. We arrived a week before the cruise to tour a bit before the cruise and also to get used to the time difference and get over the exhaustion from the travel.
He was sort of ok but just "different".
On the ship I could not get him involved in activities, he refused to get into a bathing suit. Would sit on the deck in his jeans, a t-shirt (I had to hide his long sleeve shirts) his socks and sneakers.
(I think that was the start of the inkling in the back of my head that there was something wrong but again I did not put that together until I looked back...)
About a year or two after that I made plans to visit a friend and he was going to stay home. (this was again before his diagnosis) he did some odd things and I decided that I could not leave him so it was a car trip for the two of us and the dog. That trip was a NIGHTMARE! Much to long to go into here but needless to say the cruise was our last and that road trip was our last.
He is not able to participate in all the activities she can though. They did a cruise and it was wonderful for them.
I would find out what happens if hubby has a complete meltdown, I would also make sure and have some meds to calm him down if he does, maybe comatose type meds.
Because the only certainty with Alzheimer's is the complete uncertainty.
Those with dementia need routine in their daily lives.
Just you should go, enjoy yourself, find someone to come in to stay with him. It find an assisted living facility that will accept him on a respite basis.
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