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It's a 900 mile drive and we will be stopping over night instead of driving straight through. I will keep clearblues info in mind and make sure we stop now and again so they can walk around and keep their blood moving.
We are going to a family reunion for Moms family. She has two sisters and a brother that she really wants to see and this could likely be the last time they will be together, as one of her sisters is very ill. I really want to get her there. Dad seems excited about the idea. I think he just wants to get the heck out of the house :)
We may make ONE trip north this summer, but it will be a much shorter trip - 3 hours in the van instead of 10, with a stop half-way for a bathroom break, lots of extra clothes, incontinence pads and such packed, and her scooter so we can get her out and let her tool around the shops a bit, and maybe get closer to the water. It will be a major effort to take her on that trip, but worth it.
I know I can no longer drive all over God's creation like I use to a few years ago... just wished my parents would realize that...[sigh].
I dread those days where my parents need to go somewhere. It seems like Dad's rollor walker is getting heavier and heavier, and I am tired after trying to fit the walker into the trunk of their car, I have to keep lifting it out to try numerous positions so that the trunk lid would shut. And let's not get started on the seatbelts... that's a whole another long topic :P
Tried taking her by plane a few years ago to visit my brother in the Midwest. The trip totally exhausted her and her confusion increased. A trip by plane is also out of the question for us now.
Her spirit is willing but the old body is weak. Travelling with your elderly folks depends a lot on what their limitations are. Everybody is different. I will say that in my experience and in talking to others caring for parents with dementia, taking these folks out of their familiar environment often does increase their confusion.