the most important suggestion is that you have at least one more
person with you for the journey, preferably male so that he can
go in the men's restroom, etc.

you really need a third person so that someone can stay with him
when you need a potty break, pay for meals, check out of the
hotel, and other tasks where you can't keep your attention on
him.

i've seen the sad story a number of times --- the caregiver tells
the AD person to "wait right here" and goes away for just a
second, only to find that the AD person has disappeared.  we had
one AD passenger from a cruise ship disappear on a hike here a
couple of years ago when his son just went behind a tree next to
the trail to take a pee.  there was an extensive search, but the
body wasn't found for almost 2 years.

then there was the elderly man that disappeared at the denver
airport, and the woman who disappeared at the phoenix airport...

i wouldn't even think of travelling more than a few miles with an
AD person without another person to help out.

Hi, and welcome to the club nobody wants to join.   Dennis replied to you,
and I wanted to second his comments about how important it is to have
another person traveling with you and your husband.

We have heard too many sad stories about people traveling with a loved one
who disappeared in an instant while their companion used the rest room or
made arrangements with tickets or whatever.

Before my mother in law was diagnosed (showing no symptoms we could
recognize then) she became very restless and confused on a trip we took
together.   We thought her anxiety was very odd at the time, but now in
retrospect I realize it was an early warning of what was to come..... a sort
of inability to feel relaxed in any unfamiliar surroundings.

Later when she developed alzheimers in a recognizable way, she hated any
kind of travel, even long car trips became impossible.   It is
understandable when you realize that if you are losing your memory, familiar
surroundings become even more essential, and unfamiliar ones create fear.
They wander off in search of something familiar, and the very memory problem
itself means they can't remember that you told them to "wait right
here"....a moment ago.

Maggie

Here are a couple of tipsheets
http://www.zarcrom.com/users/alzheimers/t-13.html

http://www.agelessdesign.com/nl/vol21/Traveling.htm

I'd agree with the others, you really should not be tackling this
without an escort. You need someone with you to help with everything.
Failing friends or family, how about a student who needs a lift. Anyone
to spell you off with the driving and who can make sure he doesn't
vanish when you go into the ladies room.

I know with my MIL, by mid AD, even taking her out to a restaurant for
a meal was extremely difficult without two people, since she needed to
be escorted 100% of the time and often needed attention. She wouldn't
stay put for a minute if you had to turn your back since she couldn't
remember where you'd gone or that you would be back in a minute. I
can't imagine trying to take her on a road trip without a third person
with us.  


Mary G.

Maggie,
Welcome to the group and glad to hear from you.  My husband, too, was
diagnosed last year.  We traveled a bit last year and I understand your
concerns.  I found that doing all the driving,  all the navigating,
remaining calm so Larry would be calm, was utterly exhausting.
Please do not tackle this trip without help.  You must have some help to be
able to give your best to your husband.  My thoughts are with you.  Please
stay in touch.  Ruth

Maggie, I don't know if it is feasible to your situation, but with my MIL,
we flew her down with luggage on "vacation" checked her in and then flew
back and moved all of her stuff.  It was a difference of a 1 hr flight
versus an 8-12 hour drive -- major difference in her comfort.  I think it
saved our sanity (visions of 12 hours of payback for my childhood "are we
there yet?").  I wouldn't have attempted it on my own and gave my hubby
strict instructions to stay right outside the restroom door when we both
went in.  There are simply some times you can't react quickly enough and
that's one of them.

Almost every place I've talked to has a form of "respite care" for a few
days that can be very handy, even if you're caring for him yourself.   Just
a suggestion.

Karen

Maggie,

First, make sure you get an id bracelet/necklace put on your husband.
Second, fly instead of drive if you possibly can, then leave him with
friends or in respite care while you fly back and get all your stuff moved.
His safety and your sanity will then be preserved intact.

Sarah