How to deal with Alzheimer's husband on a cruise?

have a great time, it will be ok!

I have been thinking about taking my mother on a cruise which leaves from our city so no flights to worry about. I checked cruise blogs and quite a few people take Alzheimer family on cruises. Most were ok, some really enjoyed their time together. They knew they had to watch them 24/7, dined alone or with family so as not to impose on other passengers and all said cruise staff were wonderful Of course if your husband has any aggression issue that would be a problem. Some other adjustments that helped were no balcony cabins, put a chair in front of the door at night to prevent wandering, put their cabin card around their neck or a wristband with cabin number just in case, made sure they did't get over tired, and they let the staff know their situation up front. Don't worry about what other people think. Anyone bothered by seeing someone with Alzhiemers is probably also bothered by seeing the mentally handicapped, autistic, blind or anyone else with a medical issue. Should parents with handicapped children never leave their house because the sight of them might bother someone and upset their day? As long as they are not being put upon, those kind of people need to mind their own business. If they are not patient or kind enough to understand then let them stay home in their own perfect world. They need to say to themselves "there but for the Grace of God go I" If your husband is healthy and you think he would not get too stressed (for his sake) then I say try a short cruise 2-5 days just to check it out. Be careful when you leave him to use the bathroom or shower that he does not wander away. Maybe one of your kind friends could watch him for that short time. If I were someone's true friend I wouldn't mind.doing that for them. Just go into it with your eyes wide open that it may be a challenge, you may not be able to do the things your friends will do and you may decide never to do it again. I don't think you would enjoy yourself anyway if he were in respite. You would worry too much because you are a kind loving soul. I hope it works out.

There is an excellent article on U.S. News and World Report titled "How Caregivers Vacation With Dementia Victims". It tells about a woman who takes her husband on cruises and vacations. Please read the article as it is quite helpful.

I read an article about this if my husband was totally incontinent, which hers is I would rethink the cruise, the writer seems to depend on staff assisting on her travels. I myself could not do that. My husband does not have bathroom ing problems, just everything else, and he's way too confused since my last post here to take him anywhere he freaks out on me even in the car sometimes. He's most content at home, it's familiar, so that's what we do.

I personally would never consider taking someone with dementia or Alzheimer's on a cruise or any other type of vacation since this would confuse them even more than they already are. I would consider going by myself and letting someone else watch the person for a few days or so, maybe even a week just to give me a break from the situation because these types of people are just not easy to deal with, especially if you don't know how to deal with them. Even for experienced people, you still need a break and this is a time I would take the cruise alone or with another person like another family member or even a friend but no way would I ever take someone with dementia or Alzheimer's. If you think they're confused now, they'll be even more confused far from their familiar surroundings. Another thing I strongly agree with is watching the balcony along with other dangers, especially hidden ones. There are just some types of people you really shouldn't take certain places because those types of people are less likely to be able to handle it and those with dementia or Alzheimer's or among those people. Something people just can't handle certain types of settings depending on the people and their capabilities of coping