What accommodations are available for Alzheimer's?

[seventeen]

I want to take a 3 day trip to disney world but think the crowds will be too much for my dad who has alzheimers. can I hire their kid sitter to watch him or do they have other arrangements for people with alzheimers? please help! I can't find an answer anywhere....

 

[Chuck S]

I don't think the normal baby sitting services would be licensed to care for an adult. You'll probably have to contact some sort of adult care facility. In fact, you might check with some nursing homes/assisted living centers in your immediate area at home, they may be able to recommend an adult care service in the WDW area.

 

[Bete]

you don't want to do it. I'll share a story.

I went last year in November (9 days) and I'm going this year (10 days) with my mom who is 88 now and she has Alz and she's incontinent and has a few other issues. We used a wheelchair with a safety belt; you can't expect them to walk. She uses a walker at home, but for outside this is what we do. Many rides are wheelchair accessible including Toy Story Mania which is a blast. My mom enjoyed herself and that's why we are going back. I don't think there's an easier and more enjoyable place than Disney World to use a wheelchair. You get priority/handicap areas for shows and parades.

Her biggest problem were bathroom visits; she will have outbursts in which she uses bad language and she screams it loudly. She hates public restrooms. We have printed business cards that state her condition to hand out just in case and I will verbally apologize for her if it gets too bad. I try to use the special bathrooms that are all by themselves. I think they call them companion/family bathrooms.

We had late starts like 11am to go to the parks, but we stayed to closing most nights. We wanted to see the fireworks; so, we thought this was best. Also, I felt she could nap in the wheelchair in the parks which she did a few times. I felt if we went back to the room for a rest, it would be too difficult to go back out again. If you mix it up with rides and shows, it works out best. For thrill rides you need to take turns, but you may be able to get the child treatment; so, you can take turns without waiting in line twice.

My mom never travelled much; so, I feel these experiences are good for her and us. Three days is short; so, I feel it's very manageable to take your father along. I wouldn't be afraid of it. I really believe they rather be with us than strangers or a strange place by themselves especially for such a short time.

There is an adult day care center in Orlando. It doesn't have pick up service and the rates vary for part day and whole day. It's very reasonable to do this, but don't expect personal attention, too much. The one I researched (don't remember right now) will handle medical needs issues, but you are mixed in with all sorts of disabilities, not just Alz patients. You can get a private agency that will come to your room for about $20 to $25/ hour. Most expect travel expenses, too. This would be the best option.

Everyone has to decide what is best for their situation. Each Alz person is different. What works for one will not for another. If you want more info from me; please, private message me here and I'll correspond that way. I know this can be a delicate topic.