Remembering Holland: What it’s like traveling with a parent who has Alzheimer’s
‘He was reminded of certain things that would trigger memories from his childhood’
In mid-December of 2015, my best friend Katelyn and her dad traveled to Holland to visit their family. This wouldn’t be unusual, except her father has been diagnosed with early on-set Alzheimer’s.
When they have traveled overseas together in the past, they were accompanied by Katelyn’s sister. But during this particular trip, Katelyn traveled alone with her dad. She described specific events that made the trip easier and aspects that made it more difficult. She prepared by “making sure we were there with plenty of time and being conscious of not rushing him.”
Katelyn in Holland
In the past, traveling with her sister has been difficult because her sister is constantly stressed out about her dad and his wellbeing. Katelyn understands how perceptive her dad is to “rushed” vibes, so she actively remained calm throughout their travels. Before the long trip, she even watched a documentary about how music can positively help those with Alzheimer’s.
“[I] downloaded Bruce Springsteen, one of his favorite musical artists, on to her Spotify and let him listen to it on the first part of the plane ride.”
Even though she usually needs to finish his sentences and help him tell his own stories, Katelyn found the music made his speech perfect. This was one way she was able to creatively combat the potential hardships she could have faced while traveling with her dad.
Katelyn’s dad in Holland
Although the experience of helping her dad in the airport was not as taxing as she expected, Katelyn did have to help her dad with his medication.
“I had to manage his medicine of many pills per day, and with the six-hour time difference, it was hard because I didn’t want him to get off track with his medicine.”
When in Holland, Katelyn’s dad was able to relax and be himself with his family, especially his sister. She makes him feel comfortable enough to speak freely without the fear of losing his train of thought in the middle of a sentence.
In exploring the roads and places where her dad grew up, she says, “he was reminded of certain things that would trigger memories from his childhood.” This continues to be memorable for Katelyn because she gets to hear new stories that her dad may not have remembered before. She learns more about him this way, regardless of the decline of his memory.
This situation can be hard for anyone. Traveling with someone who has Alzheimer’s is not an easy task. Even though Katelyn claims this experience was not terribly difficult for her, I know her well enough to know she may be modest in all that she did.
Pictured with his family
From managing the trip to helping her dad stay on track with his medicine to coming up with creative alternatives for helping him through this trip. Traveling overseas with her dad and watching him transform in his home with the family he feels most comfortable with is not an easily forgettable experience, and certainly not an easy one as a whole.
This is a small testament to Katelyn’s strength every single time she talks with her dad or helps him with a task that may seem simple to someone with a healthy memory. The patience and planning required for a long trip of this nature does not go unnoticed.
Especially when Katelyn was the traveler in charge, the way she speaks about the situation makes it clear how much of a positive outlook she had the entire time. Regardless of the difficulties, Katelyn describes traveling to Holland with her dad as “traveling with a best friend, a companion.”