Hello,
Has anyone been in a similar situation… we are planning a holiday for the October half term. We have a 19, 16 & 12 year old and my eldest son 24 all want a beach holiday, spending time together & relaxing in the sun. My husband who has FAD said at first he didn’t want to come, he doesn’t really enjoy the sun and also gets very anxious with new surroundings etc. He was happy for us to go but recently he is saying he will come, I’m just worried that he won’t enjoy it and that I’ll be on edge worrying about him. He has been struggling recently with his diagnosis and things have been hard for all of us. He has mood swings often and blames me for most things. I’d hate the holiday to be ruined for the kids… it’s so hard 😞
Hi there, I'm not sure I'm in the right section because I'm 60 and look after Dad who 93 (6 years now). However my perspective might help. You have a long long life ahead of you right now. The least things you give up on in general, is the better scenario. My advice is if everyone wants to go on holiday, then everyone should. A sort of holiday that gives everyone more rest, more space, beautiful and different surroundings, creating special memories, relaxing activities like music or music entertainment, sitting round a pool, or looking at the ocean is always going to be beneficial, it's always going to be worth it, although it might be difficult on occasion. Holidays aren't necessarily for being more active, or for doing completely nothing, in my opinion it just breaks the home routine up in a positive way. Holidays are to have something to look forward too, as well reminiscing about, when you're back home. Especially if there's lots of photographs/video clips. Overall, I would say holidays are worth every minute, even though there might be extra work or unforseen difficulties. Even though my Dad has dementia and is 93 1/2, he is in my opinion a one off. We've always taken him on holiday several times a year, even on a plane abroad. (Every 4 months ish) He loves it overall, and so do we. We're going again on Sunday. Me, Dad, my sister, my nephew his wife, 2 children 5 and 7. Considering the whole holiday thing, the biggest difficulties are practical ones. I can't take him on my own, simply because I can't push a wheelchair with both hands, and have a hand free to pull a suitcase behind me. !!! He can walk fine, but not at any speed or distance at the airports. We go to familiar holiday places so it's home from home, the South Coast or The Canary Islands - no where else, and no where he doesn't know already. Dad can be challenging sometimes, with moods, night times, eating, etc. But he also can be happy, longer sleeps, enjoying local foods, loves the ladies that sing, really enjoys trips to our favourite little bar, chatting with familiar faces. Families will learn what it's like looking after a member of the family whilst still enjoying their surroundings. Not all things in life are ever going to be fantastically perfect, so it teaches real life as it really is. A good lesson. Please don't give up with life and all its pleasures so quick. Keep going, keep trying, think positive, try and involve everyone, have a sense of humour, always hope for the best. I could write another 100 pages, so I'd better not!!
