Every year, I try to take the senior members of my family for a short getaway. The challenge begins at the planning stage, and it gets a little more challenging every year as they get a little older.

It’s also challenging because I have specific requirements that need to be in place to ensure that my oldies have a hassle-free, enjoyable holiday.

These three requirements are non-negotiable:
1. A hotel or resort that offers a three-bedroom suite to accommodate all of us comfortably – the idea is for the family to be together under “one roof”. Apartment-style hotels also work well. At the very least, two adjoining rooms in a typical hotel-style accommodation will suffice, although not ideal
2. En-suite bathrooms that offer shower cubicles instead of a bathtub. Hotels without shower cubicles are not even considered
3. A resort layout that is generally flat and wheelchair friendly – one that is not designed with too many split levels or steps; and that can offer rooms that are close enough to the hotel’s F&B outlets. Although all my oldies are able-bodied, walking a distance, climbing stairs or navigating split levels are stressful. These are also fall hazards

Here are other factors I take into consideration when planning these holidays:

1. I look for chauffer service that can ferry us to and from our destination.
2. I ask for rooms that are preferably on the ground floor as this offers easy access to the beach, restaurants, carpark, etc.
3. I request for prompt check-in service so I don’t keep my oldies waiting after what might have been a tiring journey.
4. I request for buggy service if available.
5. If I’m going for villa-style accommodation, I look for one that offers an in-house chef so meals are taken care off – this has been amazing for me in the past because I didn’t have to plan or stress about mealtimes.
6. If it’s a bungalow, there needs to be enough rooms and en-suite bathrooms on the ground floor, unless the place is fitted with a lift.

I have always brought along a helper with me on these holidays as I cannot manage alone. Between packing and unpacking, loading and unloading, moving them around, organizing snacks, planning mealtimes, accompanying daddy for countless toilet breaks, sanitizing the rooms (I was doing this from way before Covid-19), planning fun activities, ensuring that pillows are comfortable and that there are enough towels etc., it’s enough to turn me into a headless chicken.

Additionally, there is also the added challenge of holidaying with daddy. New environments can be massively disorientating for people with Dementia. This means he will never know where the toilets are or where his room is. What it takes is having to constantly be with him to guide him accordingly. Also, because of the disruption of routine, more things need to be done for him. A simple example is having to turn the shower on for him; bringing him his shoes; setting his clothing out on the bed; placing all his regular items such as medication, Word Search books and iPad in an area that’s easily accessible for him. These are all very small things, but boy, do they add up!

If you’re a bit of a stickler like me, you will need a holiday after a holiday with seniors! I go in with my eyes open, because it is all worth it in the end.