Dementia/Alzheimer's

[goofypooh]

OK, I have been hesitant to post a thread here, but decided to give it a shot. My next trip (in January), I am taking my mom & dad along with my DD3. My dad has recently been diagnosed with dementia. He's mostly able to handle most situations right now, but he does get worn out easily. Traveling wears him out & the more tired he is (combined with being away from home & his familiar surroundings) the more disoriented he becomes. Well, that is just a little background info. & not what I am really worried about. This might sound silly, but the main thing I am worried about are the rides that have the moving walkways for loading and/or unloading. His ability to process multi-steps is definitely slowed down. He also loses balance easily. I don't want him to miss out on experiencing some of the great rides. Is there a list of all the rides that have the moving walkways? And is there a way to get on/off these rides without using them? TIA for any help!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

Rides with moving sidewalks are:

Haunted Mansion
Tomorrowland Transit Authority
Spaceship Earth
Buzz Lightyear
The above can be slowed down or stopped if needed

Peter Pan (which cannot be stopped)

You might want to give serious thought toward getting a wheelchair for him to keep from getting too worn out. It may be difficult for you or your husband in pushing him but it may make for a better trip for the whole family. (And you can have either of your older children handle the stroller for the 3yo.)

 

[goofypooh]

Thanks for your answers! What about the Nemo ride at Epcot? Does it also have a moving sidewalk?

I have thought about a wheelchair for my dad & have even mentioned it to my mom. I'm not sure they will agree to it. But I will def. keep that in mind as an option. And who knows....five months from now he might really need to use one.

So, should he get a GAC for the sidewalks to be slowed down or stopped?

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks for your answers! What about the Nemo ride at Epcot? Does it also have a moving sidewalk?

I have thought about a wheelchair for my dad & have even mentioned it to my mom. I'm not sure they will agree to it. But I will def. keep that in mind as an option. And who knows....five months from now he might really need to use one.

So, should he get a GAC for the sidewalks to be slowed down or stopped?

In the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of the board, there are some links in post #3 that will be helpful. One is specifically about boarding ride with moving walkways.

If he is using a wheelchair, you would not need a Guest Assistance Card to board rides at the exit, where the CMs can slow or stop the moving walkways (in most cases, you would wait in the regular line until just before boarding. See post #6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread for more info about GACs).
When you get to the boarding area, you just tell the CM what you need (slow or stop). In most cases, they will slow the moving walkway and that is usually enough. If you actually need it to be stopped, tell the CM who brings you to the boarding area so he/she can let the ride dispatcher know.
If he is not using a wheelchair, you would need a GAC that allows you to enter at the accessible spot. There is a link to the WDW Guidebooks for Guests with Disabilities at the top of post #3 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. The Guidebooks tell where the wheelchair accessible entrance is - in many cases, they tell you to enter thru the regular line. If he has a wheelchair, the CM will automatically route you to the accessible entrance. With no wheelchair, show the GAC to the CM at the entrance and any other CMs you see before the boarding area.

I've got some additions to the list Cheshire Figment posted:

• MKHaunted Mansion - I posted an explanation about how boarding works on this thread.
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority - there is a steep ramped moving walkway to get to the second floor station. There is also a moving walkway to board and exit and a moving ramp to get down. I would not recommend this attraction for your situation.
• Buzz Lightyear
• Pirates of Caribbean - steep moving walkway to get back from the underground exit to ground level. There is an elevator to the left of the moving walkway, down a short hall. It brings you out into a sort of deserted looking semi-backstage area near the restrooms.
• Space Mountain - steep moving walkway at the exit. There should be a way to avoid this with a wheelchair, but I have not ridden it with DD and her wheelchair, so I don't know for sure how.
  
• The above can be slowed down or stopped if needed
  
• Peter Pan (which cannot be stopped)
  
• Epcot
• Spaceship Earth - you enter at the exit; there is a waiting area for people with wheelchairs, ECVs and special needs. The wait is sometimes long and they tend to load people with special needs in 'batches', so keep your group together while you wait.
• Where's Nemo - does have a moving walkway. It can be slowed way down; not sure if it can be stopped completely.
• The Land Building - the building is on a hill and you enter on ground level on the top of the hill. There is a long steep ramp down to get to the level where you will find escalators or stairs to get down to ground level where the rides are. There is also an elevator on the far left side of the building. Look for the Garden Grill restaurant and head left, around a corner. This thread explains access for the rides in The Land (page 2).
• American Adventure - does not have any moving walkways, but the access to the building is on ground level and the access to the theater is on 2nd floor. If he is not using a wheelchair, there are stairs or an escalator to get upstairs. With a wheelchair or a GAC, you can use the elevator to the right of the building entrance. (see the thread I linked in The Land).
  
• Disney's Hollywood Studio has no attractions with moving walkways.
  
• AK
• Kali River Rapids - has a circular moving walkway for entry and exit. There is a separate loading area for guests with wheelchairs/ECVs/special needs. In this area, they can 'trap' a boat for boarding; the boat stays in place and you don't use the moving walkway.

I would also suggest a wheelchair - not only will that allow you to use the accessible boarding areas without problem, but it will also help him to avoid stumbling, getting tired or roaming off. You may want to look into what is called a 'transport chair' which has 4 small wheels. It has to be pushed the person sitting in it can't propel it because of the 4 small tires. Be especially watching for him getting up suddenly without locking the brakes - the wheelchair can roll out from under someone pretty easily without the brakes being locked.

Many people with Alzheimer's get more confused/disoriented when they are away from familiar surroundings. You should also look into getting something like a Medic Alert bracelet - the one from the actual Medic Alert company has a 24 hour a day phone line in case of need/emergency and would be very helpful if he did wander off. Taking a digital picture of him every morning would allow you to give a picture and good description if you need to.
You may also want to bring along an alarm system for the hotel room doors in case he gets confused at night and tries to leave to go home/somewhere familiar. (Many people with Alzheimer's get more confused in the evening/night). You can use 3M Command Adhesive strips to put the alarm pieces up without any nails/screws or damage to the walls/doorframes.

Last thing - if he needs a cool, calm, non-stimulating place to rest or calm down for a while, each park has a First Aid station.

 

[goofypooh]

Thank you both so much for your help! As I said, he was just recently diagnosed & still in the early stages, but I just want him to enjoy the trip as much as he can. I'd hate for him to miss out on some of the great attractions just because of our fear of the moving sidewalks. Your information and suggestions were very helpful! Thanks!

 

[SueM in MN]

Glad to help.
Hope you have a great trip.

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

I was just re-reading the "PassPorter Open Mouse" book last night and I noticed there is a section on taking ppl who have dementia or Alzheimer's to Disney. You should check it out! It has info. from the authors and tips submitted from readers who have taken ppl with dementia/Alzheimer's to Disney.

 

[goofypooh]

I was just re-reading the "PassPorter Open Mouse" book last night and I noticed there is a section on taking ppl who have dementia or Alzheimer's to Disney. You should check it out! It has info. from the authors and tips submitted from readers who have taken ppl with dementia/Alzheimer's to Disney.

OK, thanks! I will try to look into that!