Can't wait to go ...but

[S. Lopez]

Hi there - I've been lurking for quite some time and have really loved everyone's post/trip reports/etc. I'm planning a vacation to the D-land in September (7, 8 & 9 to be exact). This trip will be quite special as it's for my mom's 71st b-day. Here's the issue, my mom was recently diagnosed with dementia (she's in the beginning stages) and I'm a bit apprehensive in how she'll respond to so much stimuli.

FWIW, she's totally looking forward to this trip, as D-land has major happy memories for all of us. We're staying at the Grand CA for 3 nights, we have the WOC dessert package booked, dinner at Carthay Circle, character breakfast at Plaza Inn (we've never done this before but I think it'll be fun) and I'll also book the Happiest Haunt Tour for our last day in the park.

Does anyone have experience in taking an elderly parent to D-land? I suspect this might be similar to a parent whose child has autism.

BTW, she will not be down to rent a wheelchair, I already suggested that and she poopah'd that idea.

 

[ParkHopper1]

Biggest problem with older folks is their ability to stay on their feet all day with limited places to sit.

May wanna consider getting a small portable travel seat if the wheelchair is not an option:

https://www.amazon.com/GCI-Outdoor-...0158780&sr=8-18&keywords=Folding+stool+travel

 

[WonkaKid]

I took my mom -- 77 -- a few months ago. She did fine but needed a break in the early afternoon. I took her to the bar at Grand Californian for a stiff gin and tonic. She was fine for the rest of the day . Not sure if your mom drinks (I don't) but certainly a midday break might be a good idea. They've got a nice pool at the GC -- take advantage of it . We stayed there about seven years ago.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

I took my 85-year-old stepmother to DL last year. She did okay, but she got tired and it was nice to have a hotel close to us so she could rest. If she's anything like my stepmother, she may prefer spending time sitting in the hotel if you have a room with a view to actually being in the parks. We had a good experience, but we also convinced her to buy a portable wheelchair because she wouldn't have had a good day without it. She really enjoyed the wheelchair once she realized she wouldn't have to transfer for IASM (she wouldn't have been able to ride if she had to step into the boat). The hardest part was getting around when it was crowded, like during parades. The good news is that all the crazy 60th entertainment will be over, so you might not have the same problem. She mostly enjoyed the meals, people watching, and listening to the bands/seeing shows.

Enjoy! It's a lot of work, but I'm sure she'll love it.

 

[S. Lopez]

Thanks for the replies...we're staying at the Grand California, we'll probably go back to the hotel mid-afternoon for a break.

Maybe after the 1st day she'll change her mind about the wheel chair.

 

[paintingoncelluloid]

I agree with what people have said so far about physical stamina, but I am a 31-year-old in good health and I still sometimes feel mentally overstimulated by the parks! For that reason, it might be nice to have some "quiet places" in your head that are scattered throughout the parks, places that you could retreat to for 15 minutes just for a little break. My favorite go-to spaces are 1) the little seating area between the Matterhorn and Small World, under the monorail tracks with the ducks, 2) the furthest north, way-back seats at the Hungry Bear restaurant, 3) the seating area back behind Harbor Galley, 4) Animation Academy (mostly because it's cool and kinda dark, though it can sometimes be loud), 5) most seating around Paradise Pier that's close to the water, 6) or, of course, any of the public lobby spaces at the Grand.

 

[5forMickey]

Just in case she get's tired once you arrive and decides she will take a little help, Deckerts is wonderful for ECV's and they deliver to the hotels. The Grand may actually have a couple at the bell desk from Deckerts and their prices are very reasonable. Don't rent from the park because you are stuck using them only in that park whereas from an offsite vendor you can take them right to your room. Our trips have been so much nicer since my parents (73) gave in and let us get them the ECV's. People don't mean to be cruel but sometimes they are in such a hurry that they bump into the slower moving traffic so we have found (if they are using ECV's or walking) we have to kind of walk on each side of our parents to act as a buffer.

You have a great plan. On Tower Of Terror, ask to go through the cue that does not have the stairs it's much easier and they are wonderful to accomodate. Let the crowd clear out a little after WOC before you leave the pushing and shoving can get awful. With dementia she may get really confused with her directions (but not like to admit to it) so if she has a cell phone make sure it is charged for emergencies and your number is preprogrammed in case she get's lost. Heck I still get turned around trying to get out of DCA and get back to the Grand through the park lol! My parents really like stopping and having breakfast at Carnation Station so we usually make reservations for 10:50 when the park starts getting crowded and they start to get "irritated". Taking a few minutes away and regrouping really seem to help them.

Lastly, enjoy your trip, the memories will last you a lifetime!!!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Thanks for the replies...we're staying at the Grand California, we'll probably go back to the hotel mid-afternoon for a break.

Maybe after the 1st day she'll change her mind about the wheel chair.

Sounds like you have an awesome trip planned!!

Get up and do EMH each day. This is when lines are shortest. Single rider lines can also save a lot of wait time.

Keep her hydrated. Early Sept can still be very hot in the parks.

Afternoon breaks are what the Grand was made for! Do y'all like pools or hot tubs or just laying out at the pool? If so the loungers around the pool deck are almost comfortable enough to sleep on!

IF you get her to change her mind you can get an ECV to rent right there at the Grand! Forget the wheel chair, you're not going to enjoy trying to push her around in it and she won't be able to push herself for very long if she isn't used to doing that. An ECV eliminates the pushing and allows her to maintain her "independence" when getting around. (My father was SO stubborn on this subject for years, until his body crashed out on him after 2 days at the parks and he had to get an ECV- he's never looked back.)

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Biggest problem with older folks is their ability to stay on their feet all day with limited places to sit.

May wanna consider getting a small portable travel seat if the wheelchair is not an option:

https://www.amazon.com/GCI-Outdoor-...0158780&sr=8-18&keywords=Folding+stool+travel

Check with Guest Services before your trip if you decide to go this route. I've heard of guests with these kind of stools being turned away at bag check.

 

[Geemo]

You know her best and can evaluate her abilities. You'll want her to be safe as you tour the parks.

Depending on the level of dementia she's experiencing at the time of the trip, a ECV might be a challenge for her.
A wheelchair could be a better choice for everyone.
We find it's not uncommon to walk several miles each day in the parks. Is she up to that? Does she remember all the walking?

If it were me..... I'd check into a rental with an outside agency. Have their phone number programmed into my phone. Ask how long it would take for a wheelchair to be delivered to the GCH. For my peace of mind, I'd probably have one delivered for the "Just In Case" option and keep it in the room or at Bell Services.

Some of the GCH rooms can be a real hike from the lobby. I always make the request the hotel to assign me a room NEAR the lobby elevator.

Just a thought.... You might take her to the mall and go for a walk like you're at DL/DCA. That might help her understand why you'd like to have a wheelchair for her during the trip. Let her know you can use it as much or as little as she needs too in the parks. Just like strollers and ECV, you can park it and leave it in a spot for however long you want.

Enjoy
Geemo

 

[S. Lopez]

Thank you again for the responses and tips.

Not too long ago we went to the Living Desert, in Palm Springs. I was worried that my mom might poop out but she was a trooper and walked the whole thing. The difference is that was one day and we'll be at the parks for 3 days. I think maybe having a back up plan might be the best thing, thanks for the tip Geemo!

 

[Malcon10t]

You can get a wheelchair thru the Grand if she needs one. If she isn't wanting to use it, let the 7,8,9 yo take turns riding and pushing (making sure they know how to push carefully.) Then when mom is tired, she has a place to sit, where ever you are. And they do turn away the fold up stools.

Like we tell parents taking toddlers for the first time, go at their pace. You might have to slow down your pace some for your mom. Ask her what she would like to do. We take my mom (75) and my first question is usually "This is what we are doing this morning, what would you like to do." Some days she just wants to spend the morning sleeping in and enjoying coffee in the room. We don't do EMH when she is with us (sometimes the kids will go on their own) because that is usually rough for us. If her dementia is bad enough you can't leave her alone, can you find someone to assist you on the trip?

 

[5forMickey]

Just one more quick thought.......maybe point out to her how many people are using the ECV's in the park. Maybe once she see's other are using them she might be a little more okay with getting one. Malcon10t's comment about letting the youngsters make it look fun is also great!