Follow
Share
Find Care & Housing
You don't tell a dementia patient what they can never do again. You distract them from instead.
Helpful Answer (13)
Reply to lealonnie1
Report

There's nothing wrong with an old man wanting to do something he's no longer able and talking about it like he could. It's NOT on you to make these fantasies come true.

It's also not your job to be a Debbie Downer or Fun Police and tell him why his travel days are over.

Let him talk about and enjoy his fantasies. Join him in his reality. Ask him where he would go and what he would do. Show him videos of the places he talks about.
Helpful Answer (12)
Reply to Dogwood63
Report
Beedevil66 Apr 23, 2026
A now retired YouTube truck driver live streamed his travels throughout the US, with live chat as well. They were enjoyed by all.
(5)
Report
See 2 more replies
Change the topic, use distraction or tell a "therapeutic fib" as to why travel isn't an option right now ("Your doctor says when your next physical shows good results").
Helpful Answer (7)
Reply to Geaton777
Report

There was someone on here or another site quite awhile ago who helped “plan” trips with her mother. After asking her where she would like to travel if she could, they would pick a place & learn something about it. Then they would have a fun “travel” day. They would have food from that area, dress accordingly, take selfies, sometimes decorate a little too & watch videos from the area. There’s all kinds of travel shows, nature shows that go to different places.
Obviously this wouldn’t work for everyone. Could make situation worse, make them madder that they can’t go. But for the right stage, could be fun. It worked well for the poster that shared it a long time ago & was a fun day for the whole family. You know your loved one best & if it would work for him.
Helpful Answer (7)
Reply to Ltracy
Report

What if you said, “where would you like to go if you could?” Then just talked about it like “If you could be there now, what would you do first?” And “yes, Hawaii sounds amazing! I have some pictures of it on my phone” Would this get it out of his system, or make him more obsessed? If he says” when can we go?” then you can say “as soon as the doctor okays it” or “we need to concentrate on getting you strong enough first.”

At one point when my dad had dementia, and was also physically frail, he was talking about wanting to go sledding on snowy hills and ice skating again like he had done when he was a boy. It was totally not happening, but I played along a bit “oh I didn’t know you knew how to ice skate!” Etc. It blew over.

Or — since you put this under mobility but did not mention dementia — are there short, easy outings that he could do? A drive in the country? Sitting on a park bench by a lake? A visit to an old friend?

i have also read about computer “trips” for elderly where it looks to them like they are driving, they see on Google Maps wherever it is that they want to go, but like in real time on the ground.
Helpful Answer (6)
Reply to Suzy23
Report

Don't worry about you telling him no more traveling. He will forget you said anything and probably ask again then you can use the suggestions.

People who suffer from Dementia and ALZ are in their own little world and you have to enter it. They are not able to differentiate between reality, dreams and the TV. I was in my Moms room one day and she told me the Doctor wanted to talk to me. She was watching Diagnosis Murder. You need to go with the flow and sometimes that means telling little fibs.

Maybe get some travel picture books (think they are called Coffee table books) Travel DVDs or Travel Station on cable. He may think he is really there. I set up my laptop to stream our Churches service for Mom. (She was getting overwhelmed in Church) I would get her breakfast and dressed and she thought she was there. When I came to get my laptop, she asked if I was there to pick her up, and I said yes.

My daughter has worked in NHs for 30 yrs. She helped me a lot with understanding how my Mothers mind was working. Don't argue with Dad, he has lost his ability to reason. Keep coming here and ask your questions and read the posts. We are here to help you with Dads journey.
Helpful Answer (6)
Reply to JoAnn29
Report

Don’t feel bad . Dad does not understand the amount of work it would be for you to travel with him .

My hubs and I told my FIL that we don’t like cruising . He was trying to manipulate us to take him to Alaska by guilt tripping that his wife would never go . ( They had been on numerous other cruises ) . I told him he should have gone by himself when he was younger . He also tried to bribe my kids and us to go as a family . He never suggested family trips in the past. I asked him if he ever took his elderly father traveling with him . He said “ No “. He finally stopped asking .
Helpful Answer (4)
Reply to waytomisery
Report

My neurologist suggested saying that you (the caregiver) can no longer travel. That takes the weight off. Tell him that your Dr. said that you shouldn't; for any number of reasons.
That is what I told my husband because it is too much of a chore to travel with him and his condition. My husband took pity on me.
Helpful Answer (4)
Reply to classyact
Report
TouchMatters Apr 29, 2026
Very good idea. Thank you. Gena
(1)
Report
Yes, but it may be time to let go of the pain that your dad is elderly and still wants things you cannot provide. My mom is the same way, but we have to let go of the guilt and pain.
Helpful Answer (3)
Reply to JustAnon
Report

To go along with my first comment...... You should also not feel bad. Unfortunately it's his reality now. You can redirect like some have said. Or commiserate with him, showing understanding with this change in his life & acknowledging that it's hard & then redirect. So much depends where he's at mentally, emotionally. Again, you know him best & what could be upsetting to him or what might work. But it's not your fault that these changes are happening to him. It is hard & it is sad, but you are doing what's in his best interest.
Helpful Answer (3)
Reply to Ltracy
Report
TouchMatters Apr 29, 2026
I think at times people say they feel bad when they are grieving or really feel sad for the person not getting what they would like / envision (travel). While a person may be 'shouldn't feel' bad, that is a hard one - when a person feels it. I sense this is how people reach out here - to get that support. Nothing about these situations are easy to navigate. We all do the best we can and thank goodness this forum is here for all of us.

As you said (and me, too) re-direct, daughter knows what's best and how to approach her dad. Gena
(0)
Report
See All Answers
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter