My mum, who has vascular dementia is going on holiday next week. She's been a member of a pensioner's group for about 15 years - indeed she was their social secretary until about a year ago. She went on holiday with them last year, when her dementia was just beginning to take hold. The people she was with had noticed that she was getting worse but told me not to worry- they would look after her, and they did.
After the holiday, one of their number phoned me to say they were worried about Mum and her money: she was fishing out great wads of notes when she needed to pay for something. I've since sorted her out with a chip and signature card, which she uses happily when I'm with her, but hasn't used on her own.
Mum's been diagnosed with vascular dementia and has got worse since her last holiday. She is very geographically challenged - often going in the wrong direction in her own home - she can't do numbers and loses the words she wants half way through a sentence. Part of this may be to do with a bad back having stopped her from getting out and socialising for the best part of the year, so maybe the holiday will help.
Now I'm really worried about her going away. What if she gets lost? How do I stop her taking too much cash? Will people on holiday really want to be bothered with somebody with dementia? I can't stop her from going, but am sure there are things I should be thinking of to ensure that she - and her group - make the best of the situation. Any advice?
After the holiday, one of their number phoned me to say they were worried about Mum and her money: she was fishing out great wads of notes when she needed to pay for something. I've since sorted her out with a chip and signature card, which she uses happily when I'm with her, but hasn't used on her own.
Mum's been diagnosed with vascular dementia and has got worse since her last holiday. She is very geographically challenged - often going in the wrong direction in her own home - she can't do numbers and loses the words she wants half way through a sentence. Part of this may be to do with a bad back having stopped her from getting out and socialising for the best part of the year, so maybe the holiday will help.
Now I'm really worried about her going away. What if she gets lost? How do I stop her taking too much cash? Will people on holiday really want to be bothered with somebody with dementia? I can't stop her from going, but am sure there are things I should be thinking of to ensure that she - and her group - make the best of the situation. Any advice?