Living with dementia magazine June 2012

Taking a break can be beneficial to everyone, though there are additional considerations for people with dementia and carers. Danny Ratnaike speaks to two organisations that provide specialised support. 

Going on holiday often requires careful planning for people affected by dementia. However, getting away from it all can still provide a welcome break as well as new and enjoyable experiences.

Although many people arrange their own holiday travel, accommodation and activities, a number of organisations offer options that are specially designed for people with dementia and carers.

Quality time

Many carers organise respite care for a loved one with dementia while they go on holiday, but there may also be opportunities to go on holiday together.

Vitalise was founded almost 50 years ago to provide enjoyable breaks for people with disabilities, and they offer Alzheimer's Breaks at their accessible centres in Chigwell, Southampton and Southport.

Colin Brook, Communications Manager at Vitalise says,

'We realised there was a need for a bespoke service for couples affected by Alzheimer's and other kinds of dementia. While our breaks for people with physical disabilities work very well, we understand that coping with dementia throws up very specific issues and challenges which are more profound than physical disability alone and that therefore a different approach is needed.'

He adds,

'In our experience it's not time away from their partners that dementia carers crave when they think about respite, but quite the opposite - quality time together. They crave a space where they can be husband and wife once more, not disabled person and carer.'

Restoring connections

Colin says that people usually choose Alzheimer's Breaks once extra care support is needed for the person with dementia.

'Our centres are fully equipped to cope with guests with high care needs and therefore ideally suited to providing care for people at this advanced stage.

'Because Vitalise takes over the burden of physical care, the carers can focus on restoring an intimate connection with their loved ones. The therapeutic effect of these special breaks endures far longer than the duration of the weeks themselves and helps restore dementia carers' ability to carry on coping.

'We aim to care for the carer, as well as the cared for. On most weeks we set aside one evening to take the carers on a special night out, enabling them to draw strength from the companionship and solidarity with their fellow carers.

'Many couples come time and again and most write to tell us how much they appreciated the quality time they were able to spend together.'

Adventures in nature

Specialised holidays are available for people at various stages of their dementia journey, and one organisation has a particular focus on outdoor activities and connecting with nature.

Neil Mapes and Lucy Harding set up Dementia Adventure in 2009 to help people to live well with dementia. They organise breaks with small groups that have included activities such as sailing, and they are looking at possible canal boat and walking holidays, though they also offer one-day park and woodland walks.

Neil says the people on their adventures are 'usually looking for an enjoyable experience they can share together, often connected to a lifelong interest, but in a supported group (all in the same boat so to speak!)' .

He adds,

'People like not having to worry about all the logistical planning which we take care of for them and is often a barrier to people going on holiday in our experience.'

Shared experiences

The adventure holidays have been attracting people at an earlier stage of their dementia journey. Neil says,

'They have some cognitive and some physical needs but are typically still living with support at home.'

Dementia Adventure can arrange bespoke holidays as well as providing 'off the shelf' breaks with carefully designed activity programmes.

'We expect people to be either self-caring or to have someone with them who can support them with care needs - this is typically a family member or friend who wants to share the holiday experience.

'Our park and woodland adventures, which are day based, attract people at the other end of the dementia journey, living in care homes, with the staff and families being the first point of contact. Neil says it is worth considering various options for going on holiday in a supported group.

'There may be friends, family or organisations like ours who can help make the holiday a safe and enjoyable experience shared together.'

For our factsheet Travelling and going on holiday (474), see alzheimers.org.uk/factsheets or request copies by phone on 01628 529240 or email alzheimers@xcalibrefs.co.uk

For further information about Vitalise Alzheimer's Breaks call 0303 303 0145, email bookings@vitalise.org.uk  or visit www.vitalise.org.uk

To find out more about Dementia Adventure email info@dementiaadventure.co.uk, see www.dementiaadventure.co.uk or call 01245 230661.

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