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A Guide to Transport a Person with Alzheimer’s by Car the Safe Way
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One of the great things of assisted living is that it offers personal support and genuine care for those who need it most. When Alzheimer’s or any other form of dementia is diagnosed, family and caregivers of that person also need time to cope with such news and prepare for what’s to come.
Assisting a person with Alzheimer’s is very challenging. And with time, simple tasks turn into a real hassle.
This is the reason why we want to give you a detailed guide on how to transport a person with Alzheimer’s by car… the safe way.
- It’s important to prepare your loved one for the ride before even getting into the car. Remember not to overwhelm with a lot of information and inform the person you are both getting into the car. You will need to repeat this information, so be as patient as you can.
- Consider it will take more time than it used to. In order to prevent agitation, you shouldn’t hurry your loved one. So please schedule accordingly.
- Suggest to the person to use the bathroom before leaving the house.
- As a safety measure, make sure the car is clean. No clutter means less opportunity for agitation.
- Getting into the car can also take more time than expected. Once again, be patient and allow the person to get comfortable before you start to drive. Once your loved one is ready, double check that the safety belt is correctly put on.
- It’s also a safety measure to have your loved one seat on the back (of the passenger’s side). This prevents people with Alzheimer’s to grab the steering wheel. Also, it gives them more space. Don’t forget to use the child lock too.
- Do take with you something that can serve as a distraction and prevent agitation though. A snack, photos or even a coffee table book (which are usually filled with big pictures) can serve as entertainment.
- Try to travel with someone else, so you have an extra pair of helping hands during the ride.
- If that’s not possible, always keep in mind that safety comes first. If your loved one becomes agitated, don’t try to act on it while driving. Stop, and then take action.
- Play your loved one’s favorite music to provide a soothing environment.
- Avoid peak hours to reduce stressing stimuli for both of you. Being stuck on traffic is frustrating enough as it is, so do everything you can to avoid it.
- When you’ve reached your destination, be mindful about where you park. Check if there’s enough space to comfortably get out of the car, if there are any slippery spots or any other inconveniences.
To transport a person with Alzheimer’s safely takes time to get used to. Practice these steps and you’ll eventually find what works best for both of you.
Assisting another person is a very humble act… thank you for doing it.
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