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Sharing a travel story

We just returned from a long weekend in Chicago (from CA), with another couple. They are long time friends and my DH travels well with them. We stayed in a hotel, and during the night DH became confused because he did not recognize the toilet! When he would stir I would take him to the toilet and all was well. The second night we were there I guess I slept harder and did not hear him get up. Apparently he unlocked and unlatched the door (how did I not hear this?!) and he went out into the hall in his underwear and a t-shirt. He became confused as all the doors out there looked the same, so he began ringing the other doors and then was upset that they wouldn’t let him in to use their bathroom.

Right around this time I awoke and realized he was gone. I called security immediately and they mentioned they had had some calls - I opened the door while I was on the phone and saw him down the hall and was able to call him back. What an adventure!

I called our doctor when we returned and shared our story - he said this was normal when traveling to become disoriented like that.

Question - does anyone travel with a door alarm? Is there such a thing?

Thank you,

Comments

  • blacksparky
    blacksparky Member Posts: 424
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    I did enjoy traveling in the earlier stages but once it became more work on my part and my DW’s confusion and anxiety, I decided it was time to just stay home and keep her safe and some routine daily. Enjoy your travel days as long as you can and make memories.

  • WIGO23
    WIGO23 Member Posts: 318
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    I know this story well. My husband cannot find a bathroom door three feet away when we are in a new place. I found a portable door alarm that I place on the floor and I use a night light in the bathroom. It helps but I still cannot really relax when we travel.

    Here is the alarm I use.

  • dcare45
    dcare45 Member Posts: 230
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    When we traveled, we did have a door alarm especially when granddaughter was on the trip. At that time it was for security not dementia/safety reasons. It was inexpensive and worked well. Lots of them and different styles on Amazon or just online. Well worth it.

  • Maru
    Maru Member Posts: 544
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    Yes, there are door alarms you can travel with. I bought 3 for our house. They just stick on the door and the door frame and give a wifi signal to a plug in alarm. DH and I traveled to go to a funeral when he was barely out of MCI stage and it totally threw him off. I avoid travel like the plague.

Commonly Used Abbreviations


DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
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