I always think of June as the start of vacation time. The kids are looking forward to summer fun, the weather turns warm and people began to dust off their tents, clean up their campers and trailers and begin to pursue travel magazines----or Internet sites.

So what about a family or spouse caring for someone who is disabled? What kind of vacation is available to them? I discovered there are many vacation options available. And the information was easy to access. I just talked to one our our caregiver spouses who brings his wife to the The Continuum for therapy. Elaine is very debilitated as a result of chronic illness for many years. She often uses a wheel chair and is quite frail. So where have these folks traveled? Just about everywhere!! Jim enjoys telling vacation stories, like taking a train to Washington D.C. The train is accessible for a wheel chair and they have their own compartment (just like the olden days!). They stay at a hotel next to the train stations which provides bus service to the Smithsonian where a jitney travels through the buildings. He states most hotels have special rooms for disabled people and he uses a travel agent that specializes in senior tours and will make special accommodations for disabilities. Jim stated that he and Elaine have traveled all their lives and they were not going to let a little thing like a disability keep them from what they love doing!

For some families it is not possible for the carereceiver to travel. If you need a vacation away from caregiving and your carereceiver has dementia as part of the diagnosis, The Alzheimer's Association has funds for respite care. The funds can be used to hire a home caregiver or temporary placement in an assisted living or nursing facility. Give them a call. Remember how important it is for the caregiver to have some time to relax and regroup. This makes a better caregiving situation.

If you have ideas or vacation stories, please share them with other caregivers.