It's Possible to take a Short Vacation with LO

Cobalt

Just a quick post to say that we successfully took a short 2 night/3 day vacation with my son who has Alzheimer's.  Just he and I and his brother who is also a caregiver.  Went to a cabin in the mountains of northeast Arizona, a 5 hour drive.  It was glorious weather and great to breathe fresh mountain air.  While there, could not believe my son had very few "Alzheimer's" behaviors!  He was relaxed and pleased with the break.

I think it worked for several reasons.  We did not plan specific outings or events that had to have a time frame. We took our dogs and that pleased my son as well as the overjoyed dogs. We had some snack food and easy meal food for my son to eat, as well as making use of leftovers from a few restaurant meals. None of us had our usual respiratory allergies up there, so we all felt good and slept well.  We three had our first quality family time together "doing nothing", the best time in perhaps 7 months!

I made a picture book for my son to share with caregivers and his therapists.  Found that simple captions and selected photos made him remember more the memories.  He's already forgetting quite a bit from last week, but the pictures help him relieve nice days.  If you'd like to see the pages, I posted them on my Flickr account.  We don't know that we'll be able to get him out for another "vacation" as things progress, but I did want to share what worked for us.

https://flic.kr/s/aHsmVBRyQM

or try this:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/cobalt/albums/72157719162107269

GothicGremlin

I'm glad all of you had a great time - and putting together a picture book to help him remember  is such a good idea.

Soooo, I'd like to add that taking a longer vacation with a LO with Alzheimer's is also possible - depending on how your LO is doing and what stage they're at.

My significant other and I took my sister (who was diagnosed with early onset in late 2018) to Italy/Sicily in September, 2019. At the time of the trip I thought she was stage 5, but now, looking back, I think she was late stage 4 or very early stage 5.  It was a bucket list item for her, so we made it happen. We were apprehensive.

I won't lie, it was hard, and most definitely not a vacation for me, but I'm glad we did it.  When we got back I made a scrapbook for her, kind of like what you did, Cobalt.  It's been so helpful while in lockdown.

There were a lot of logistics to deal with, and so much planning, but all of that planning paid off. We had mishaps, but nothing horrible. Now, when we talk about it with her she remembers only the good things about the trip, and none of the bad (which is good).

Would I do any kind of a trip like that with her today? Absolutely not, but back then, with a lot of planning and patience, it was possible.

French

I organized long holidays with my AD partner the two last years. 

 2 years ago : 12 days road trip, together in California in a van. I had to manage everything, it wasn’t a real rest for me, but still I am now sure it was a good idea. He really appreciated it. I also did a book with the picture. He now has it and show it to people coming home.

Last year : 15 days in La Réunion island. My mother and children came. It was easier for me even if I had to organize everything and to drive in the mountains. He enjoyed it a lot and I also did the pictures book. 

These books are a good idea. As I had some times these days, I prepared and ordered 2 others for our previous holidays with children. I think that with these books he will be able to remember our previous holidays that were always an adventure... with 5 children !

This year, I am not sure I will plan holidays. I would have liked his brothers and sister to propose holidays with him. One already did it last year during 10 days and will do it again. I can’t understand why they don’t try, I would do it for my sisters or my brother. It’s nothing to spend one or two holidays week with my partner compared to the whole year I have to manage.

mommyandme (m&m)

Thank you for sharing your successes. Very awesome!

abc123

Dear Cobalt, I’m very happy you and your sons were able to have a nice time! Good for you!

Cobalt

Great to hear these stories!  We are unsure how or when we may be able to try a little vacation again, but it seemed important to do something to celebrate making it the year with social isolation, precautions and we're still continuing masks in public if there are many people crowded. We last did this a year and a half ago.  Said the same thing then as we do now:  could be our last chance, so go for it!