Tomorrow we are going on a 9 hour drive for 4-5 days. Things go much better when we are home. Advice?

Plan in regular breaks, so that you can stretch your legs, go to the loo and generally get your breath back. Since you won't be driving this time, does that not make a difference to how you feel about being in the car?

And if, God forbid, the worst does come to the worst, the worst that can happen is that you call off the journey and return home. I can't see any reason why it would come to that, and I really hope you find that once you're under way you'll be fine; but realising that even the very worst case scenario wouldn't be a disaster might be something to keep in mind. Tell your son how you feel, and then he'll be able to take it gently and check regularly that you're comfortable.

Just to clarify: your son is taking you and your husband, who has Alzheimer's, on a 9 hour trip tomorrow by car and you're concerned that the trip won't go well?

If your husband has been prescribed anti-anxiety medication make sure you have that on hand. I would advise you not to rush the trip, just take it nice and easy. If you're tense your husband may pick up on that. Each time you stop make sure your husband has something to eat and drink.

When you reach your destination try to adhere to a routine as much as possible. For example, if your husband is accustomed to taking a nap at 1pm make sure he is still taking a nap at 1pm.

It's good that your son is going along. The Dr. was right when advising you to bring someone else.

List, analyze and address either solutions or compensation offsets for the problems that occurred when you were on a trip and had to call 911. Make plans to deal with any of these events so that you're prepared.

I've found that advance preparation with potential solutions is the best way to avoid anxiety.

Then relax and enjoy the trip!

Things are better when you're home, called 911 on last trip, and you're ver worried about this trip..........The obvious question is, why do this? Is it worth the hassles and the risks for what your husband gets out of these trips? Each case is different but I can't imagine trying to travel with either of my parents. It would be a nightmare.

Windyridge, Good thinking! I have had near disasters just taking dad on a well planned outing to the mall. One time the elevators to the handicap parking stopped and there was a line of disabled people waiting. Nightmare is right!