Plan an Alzheimer’s friendly break this month for World Alzheimer’s Day

World Alzheimer’s Day is a global event taking place on 21^st September 2024 to help raise awareness around, provide support for and educate people about living with dementia and other similar conditions.

There are loads of ways to get involved with this year’s event, including taking on a memory walk, organising or attending a fundraising event or sharing your own stories on social media. One way that we’ll be taking part is by debunking some of the myths around Alzheimer’s and showing that it is still possible to have fun with your family and have enjoyable days out or short breaks.

At Tourism for All, we work with several partners, including properties suitable for visitors with dementia and Alzheimer’s who are looking for a short break or holiday.

Image: Revitalise

Revitalise are a national charity and provide breaks and holidays for disabled people at their purpose built centres. They have a programme in place to welcome people with dementia, with breaks that come with personalised support, including a team of nursing professionals, who are on hand to help you enjoy a proper holiday together. Their centres are fully accessible and are designed with inclusivity in mind, offering a wide range of facilities and activities suitable for all ages and abilities.

They have two centres, Jubilee Lodge  in Essex, which is conveniently located for visiting the coast or for day trips into London, and Sandpipers,  in Merseyside. Sandpipes has a wonderful waterside location, that makes it easy to accesses places like the Lake District, Blackpool, Liverpool and Manchester and the host of attractions and activities each city offers.

In the Peak District, Hoe Grange Holidays also offer dementia inclusive breaks. Close to Ashbourne and Bakewell and with the peace and tranquillity of the Peak District around you, you’ll have plenty of space to escape the everyday. Their accessible self catering cottages have received Dementia-Inclusive Accreditation from Sargent and the owners have personal experience with dementia, so are on hand to offer help and advice where needed.

Another option in Cornwall is Sara’s Cottage.   The cottage is recognised by the Alzheimer’s Society as being part of the Dementia Friends scheme and, like with Hoe Grange,  the owners know first hand what it is like to care for someone with dementia. They have used this experience to curate a friendly and peaceful place to stay that has suitable access, whatever their needs. You can find a list of their dementia friendly provision on their website here.

Planning a break away? Here are some tips to having a dementia friendly break

• When packing, make sure to keep all your medication with you at all times, along with a list of what everything is and when it needs to be taken
• Consider wearing a MedicAlert bracelet or similar form or identification, in case you get separated
• Make sure you have significant travel insurance, even when travelling around the UK
• Compile a list of emergency numbers and have this on all the people in your group at all time
• Clearly label your luggage with your name and address
• Plan your days beforehand, giving extra care to how you will get there, what you will do when there and have a back up plan in case of poor weather
• Consider booking a stay with a provider that is accredited, like those mentioned above.

In terms of travelling, our friends at Great Western Railway (GWR) provide access information for a range of stations and have trained staff on hand to help with a variety of needs. Find out more here

Will you be getting involved in World Alzheimer’s Day?

You can find out more about local Memory Walks and more plans here.