I took Dad on an short 3 day cruise off the coast of Southern California and it was a disaster. He was overwhelmed by everything - the airport, the boarding, dining with tons of people. He was miserable and wanted to go home.
Traveling with a demented elder to the flushing toilet in their own home is an ordeal. Try doing it on a trans-Atlantic flight. What happens if mom has an "accident" on the plane? How do you take care of that? Have you seen an airplane bathroom? How do you deal with the meltdown mid-flight when she gets confused and wants to go home? Of course you could medicate her, but then say she gets loopy and lethargic. How do you get her off the plane then? I'm assuming since it's Rome, you'll be flying into Fumicino airport. I've been through that airport multiple times. You do not want to be there with all your belongings and an elder wth dementia just getting off an international flight. If you want to go to Italy with your family I would recommend it a thousand times over. It's the most beautiful and romantic country in the world (I'm Italian so maybe I'm being a little biased LOL). Please go to Italy, but put your mother in respite care for the amout of time you go. Put her in respite care and go for a couple of weeks. Don't even rush and try to fit everything in going only for one week. Put her in memory care for respite. Communicate with them while you're away. Ask a friend or family member to go and check up on her daily if possible. Hire a private aide to spend the day or night with her that's an affordable possibility for you. Just don't take her on the trip. If you decide you're going to try, all I can say is 'Buona Fortuna' (Good Luck) because you're gonna need it.
First, imagine what it would be like taking a toddler to Rome. Imagine the toddler screaming on the plane, not sitting still, throwing a tantrum in the airport, in the taxi, at check-in at the hotel, at the restaurant. Imagine the looks you will get from others around you. Now imagine that instead of a toddler it's a fully grown adult, having adult-sized "accidents", feeling confused, acting unpredictably, strong enough to hurt you if overwhelmed and acting out, and you can't calm her down because there is no reasoning with a broken brain.
It's nothing like traveling with a toddler. If a toddler doesn't feel like moving you can pick them up and carry them. They can be secured into a stroller too. Sure, they may cry, scream, and throw a tantrum but they're going where you bring them. Also, you can give a toddler special medication to make them tired. The pediatrician can tell a parent what works best. When you're traveling with a full-grown adult, it's different. I've had dementia clients who if they didn't feel like walking anymore would simply take a seat. On the floor of a store or public restroom, In a parking lot. You can't just pick them up like a toddler and force them into the car. I had this happen. This was in the days before cellphones. The client just decided to sit down in the parking lot and refused to get back up. Lucky for me one of the store employees called the police to come and assist. I couldn't call because the client had dementia and couldn't be left alone. Truly, I should have just left her with the cops and drove off, but I needed the job. I couldn't get her up though. With a toddler you can. Not the same thing at all.
DON'T DO IT!!! You are correct that it would be stressful and overwhelming. Instead, why don't you take her on a virtual tour of Rome using a virtual reality headset? Sounds like a win win to me all the way around.
Don't take anything like this seriously with a person suffering from a Dementia. Probably saw something on TV and now wants to go. Ignore it. You cannot possibly do this with a person that needs the care Mom does. Tell her "not this year, have to save up the money, trip like this is very expensive".
I flew from Alaska to the States last Summer. COVID restrictions were still in effect. So masks needed and COVID tests needed before the trip. Returning was a nightmare. Plane canceled. 10 hr wait in Toronto. Walking everywhere because of the time of night. And seems it hasn't got better. Alva's daughter flying to New Orleans, plane canceled said 2 day wait. So went with another airline, canceled. Not sure how she finally got to NO maybe by way of NY? Coming home NO to NJ to the west coast. Now do that with an elderly person with ALZ and incontinent. I have been invited to WA for a 50th Anniversary party and Alva's daughter's experience confirmed why I will not be going.
I agree. Airplane travel can be a nightmare with cancellations and delays . Couldn’t imagine having to leave an airport with a frail elderly person and finding a handicapped accessible hotel last minute . DH travels for work . I don’t even count on him coming home when expected anymore.
How advanced is her dementia?
I am not sure that I would take this on.
When she was about 90 she told me, "I really wanted to go to New Zealand, but I'll fly there on my own wings."
Wisest thing I ever heard.
I think your mom will have to go to Rome on her own wings.
You can "plan" a trip to every European country and visit a different city each night.
What happens if mom has an "accident" on the plane? How do you take care of that? Have you seen an airplane bathroom?
How do you deal with the meltdown mid-flight when she gets confused and wants to go home? Of course you could medicate her, but then say she gets loopy and lethargic. How do you get her off the plane then?
I'm assuming since it's Rome, you'll be flying into Fumicino airport. I've been through that airport multiple times. You do not want to be there with all your belongings and an elder wth dementia just getting off an international flight.
If you want to go to Italy with your family I would recommend it a thousand times over. It's the most beautiful and romantic country in the world (I'm Italian so maybe I'm being a little biased LOL). Please go to Italy, but put your mother in respite care for the amout of time you go.
Put her in respite care and go for a couple of weeks. Don't even rush and try to fit everything in going only for one week. Put her in memory care for respite. Communicate with them while you're away. Ask a friend or family member to go and check up on her daily if possible. Hire a private aide to spend the day or night with her that's an affordable possibility for you. Just don't take her on the trip.
If you decide you're going to try, all I can say is 'Buona Fortuna' (Good Luck) because you're gonna need it.
It's nothing like traveling with a toddler. If a toddler doesn't feel like moving you can pick them up and carry them. They can be secured into a stroller too. Sure, they may cry, scream, and throw a tantrum but they're going where you bring them.
Also, you can give a toddler special medication to make them tired. The pediatrician can tell a parent what works best.
When you're traveling with a full-grown adult, it's different. I've had dementia clients who if they didn't feel like walking anymore would simply take a seat. On the floor of a store or public restroom, In a parking lot. You can't just pick them up like a toddler and force them into the car.
I had this happen. This was in the days before cellphones. The client just decided to sit down in the parking lot and refused to get back up. Lucky for me one of the store employees called the police to come and assist. I couldn't call because the client had dementia and couldn't be left alone. Truly, I should have just left her with the cops and drove off, but I needed the job.
I couldn't get her up though. With a toddler you can. Not the same thing at all.
Instead, why don't you take her on a virtual tour of Rome using a virtual reality headset? Sounds like a win win to me all the way around.
I flew from Alaska to the States last Summer. COVID restrictions were still in effect. So masks needed and COVID tests needed before the trip. Returning was a nightmare. Plane canceled. 10 hr wait in Toronto. Walking everywhere because of the time of night.
And seems it hasn't got better. Alva's daughter flying to New Orleans, plane canceled said 2 day wait. So went with another airline, canceled. Not sure how she finally got to NO maybe by way of NY? Coming home NO to NJ to the west coast. Now do that with an elderly person with ALZ and incontinent. I have been invited to WA for a 50th Anniversary party and Alva's daughter's experience confirmed why I will not be going.
So NO I would not take Mom to Rome.
If you live in San Marino, sure take the drive.
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