Taking my father on holiday abroad

[Ciderboy]

Hi all,

I've been lurking here for a long time but not had the need to post anything.

I'll start with a bit of background;

My father was diagnosed with Alzheimers about 3 years ago after my sister finally persuaded my mother to take him to the doctors.

He's been gradually deteriorating since then but, on the whole, is still able to function as long as mum's around to keep an eye on him.

Last year we persuaded them to move out of the little village they lived in (about 30 miles away) and into a new build house directly opposite me. This had made a major difference as I'm now able to give my mum much more support than I used to - particularly bearing in mind that she's never driven so transport is now difficult for her.

Since dad was diagnosed I've made a point of taking them away for a week each year. I know that mum looks forward to this as it gives her a chance to switch off a bit.

This is where my problem comes in.

Dad has said that he'd love to go to the Costa del Sol this year (he's always been a bit of a sun worshipper) and, as he's expressed a preference, I'd really love to take them there.

A friend has an apartment I can use so I think I'm ready to get everything booked.

My concern is the airline (probably Easyjet):

Do I need to declare to them that he has Alzheimers?

If I don't is there any chance of them refusing to let him board (most of the time he talks a lot of nonsense so if he was asked any questions it could get awkward)?

Also, can anyone recommend somewhere I can get insurance? Both him and my mum are 69 so I know it won't be cheap but I'd like to have them covered for emergencies (for anything minor I could get them home cross country if necessary).

Also, has anyone got any other things I should consider that I've possibly not thought of?

Thanks in advance for any responses and apologies for my first post being a bit of a "cry for help".

 

[tre]

Several people in our support group have flown abroad with AD sufferers and definitly BA has been mentioned and it has been no problem-in fact extra assistance has been offered. I do not recall anyone specifically mentioning Easy Jet but I do not think they can discriminate against people unless they are travelling against medical advice.
For insurance you may need to contact a specialist insurer. If you do I can suggest a couple of alternatives which are Able2Travel or Free Spirit.
Good luck and I hope your dad gets his holiday
Tre

 

[jan.s]

Hi
I've flown EasyJet with my husband, and had no problem at all. In fact last time we flew, I asked for special assistance, and we were escorted through the airport, pushed to the front of queues and allowed to board the plane first. (they write a code on your ticket at check in!).
I couldn't fault the service we received from EasyJet. I don't think they have any problem, as long as the passenger "behaves".
Good luck.
Jan

 

[Ciderboy]

Thanks both, you've given me a bit more confidence now.

My wife thinks I'm mad to even consider it but I really want to have a go at giving my parents what may be their last holiday abroad together - particularly as it's a special year for them (they both hit 70 & it's also their golden wedding anniversary).

Time to start pricing things up!

 

[Haylett]

Ciderboy, thanks for this thread - and to tre and jan.s who have posted replies here. I have always thought that it was incredibly sad that the last journey my MIL would be able to make home (abroad) would be after she had died. Thanks to the information re travel insurance etc, perhaps one last visit is possible for a week or so. I don't know - but at least I know where to make some enquiries.....

 

[lupo]

My sister took my mum on holiday June 2010 and she was worse away. On the plane she stood up after an hour wanting to get off at the next stop! It was an AI holiday and my sister (whos 50th it was) had to queue for every meal for her. When she got home she was much better. (she has detereated a lot since) . She has always been better in her own surroundings.

 

[Ciderboy]

lupo: This is one of the reasons I'm deliberately looking for morning flights as that's when he's at his best.

It's also why I'm going to book my friend's apartment rather than a hotel - I thought it would be more like home for him.

At the end of the day, as long as it's sunny then he'll be happy just sunbathing, going for walks along the beach and eating ice cream sundaes.

At the moment it looks like we'll be going from 28 April to 5 May (providing I can get the time off of work). A bit sooner than I was thinking of but the prices for flights & car hire work out best then.

 

[Izzy]

My husband has Alzheimer's and we still go away a lot. I must admit I have my heart in my mouth each time thinking it might be the last. Only on one occasion did I have real problems. That was due to bad planning on my part. We had to fly from Seville to Gatwick then on to Edinburgh. Instead of staying overnight in Gatwick we did it in one day and it involved a lot of hanging around in Gatwick. Bill got very overtired and we had one of the only major sundowning episodes we've had driving back home from Edinburgh. He was massively over tired - I think your idea of morning flights is good. I've now started to look for mid morning so we don't have to get him up too early!

I've never thought of declaring Alzheimer's to the airline. The last flight abroad was Easyjet and they were fine but I think I might declare it the next time having read other posts on this thread. We have insurance through Flexicover but have to pay extra for a health declaration. I think I might explore the other companies on this thread now.

Good luck.

 

[Izzy]

I've just checked both of these companies' websites and the seem to only insure people up to the age of 79. I realise this is OK for your mum and dad but it would be no good for us as Bill is 81. We got annual insurance last time but it expires at the end of this month. I'm hoping they'll still accept us!

 

[jan.s]

I've just checked both of these companies' websites and the seem to only insure people up to the age of 79. I realise this is OK for your mum and dad but it would be no good for us as Bill is 81. We got annual insurance last time but it expires at the end of this month. I'm hoping they'll still accept us!

Saga Travel Insurance has no upper age limit. We used that for our travel to Austria last year (what a disasterous holiday as R ended up in hospital!). We had no problem when making a claim.

Good luck.
Jan

 

[ethel]

Holiday With Mum

Hi everyone, I am a newbie on the forum but felt I would just like to reply to ciderboy as I am taking Mum on a cruise in a few weeks as I think like you all that it might be her last holiday.Mum has alzheimers in the very early stage but memory is getting worse, so better sooner than later. I didnt have to much trouble with the insurance I used Travel Insurance Medical and i declared the dementia and that she had a stroke and that she is 85 wasnt a problem although we had to pay quite a bit more than ours.Must say I am very anxious about the holiday as I will have mum with us all the time, but this is the only way we can get a holiday as she isnt bad enough yet to go onto respite.Good luck to you all Chrissy

 

[Anne&C]

Ciderboy I take my sister who has downs syndrome and early onset dementia on holiday twice a year to visit family in Spain and we fly Easyjet. The staff there have always been wonderful to us. Ask at check-in for "Special Assistance" - even if your dad can manage the plane steps this means you will be among the first to board so will be able to sit together. It is fairly obvious from her features that she has a learning disability so I don't need to mention it or her dementia but if it wasn't I would definitely discreetly tell a member of cabin crew just in case.

I have had to explain to security staff that I need to stay close to her while they do their checks - normally they too will notice her disability and be thoughtful - but just occasionally there is a jobsworth who thinks my hovering is for some sinister reason and I need to explain that there is a genuine reason and indeed need.

Malaga airport is very good. After you check in you can ask at a special desk for assistance to the gate which for our Easyjet flights is an extremely long walk. We've been given a ride on one of their little buggies and once someone pushed her in a weelchair to the gate and, like Jan said, straight to the front of the queue and first onto the plane.

I got insurance for her last year with Fish but will check out the companies mentioned here too this time. Thanks everyone for those.

We'll be on Costa del Sol at the same time as you this April/May - we are so looking forward to some warm sunshine. Hope it all goes well.

Anne xx

 

[lupo]

My mum used to go to Malta a lot, think she may have been ok there but it was first time to Turkey so very unfamiliar. At one point she was wandering the hotel with a pair of knickers in her hand, and a pair of my brothers boxer shorts. When she found my sister she said this package has come for you. Heaven knows what was on her mind.