05/12/2025
Dementia-Friendly hotel stays
Dr. Carol Sargent
Creating a social shift where dementia and other disabilities are no longer seen as the end, but a new phase, in which a great deal of life can still be lived
May 1, 2025
I thought it would be beneficial to share some insights on making hotel stays comfortable when travelling with someone with dementia. While there are several challenges, they can be effectively managed with thorough planning and compassion.
The most obvious and biggest issue for them is coping with being in an unfamiliar place, which can increase confusion or anxiety. Hotel layouts can make it hard for the person to find the bathroom, bed, or door. Dementia thrives on consistency; changes to meal times, sleep schedules, or environments can cause distress or agitation.
Arriving at the hotel and navigating the check-in process can sometimes be stressful. However, remember that the hotel staff is there to assist you. Often, there are queues, so call ahead and explain your situation to the hotel. They might be able to organize a time for you or online check-in.
Remember, the most important thing is to create a sense of familiarity and comfort. The hotel will be an unfamiliar environment, so here are some ideas to help your travel companion feel safe and settled.
🧳 Take familiar items from home
Personal bedding or pillow: The smell and feel of home can reduce anxiety.
Favorite blanket or soft item: A comfort object can be soothing, especially at bedtime.
Photos: A small photo album or framed pictures of loved ones or pets.
Clock and calendar: Large, clear, familiar versions to help with orientation.
🏷️ Visual aids and signage
New environments may trigger wandering, especially if the person wakes in the night and doesn’t recognize where they are. Check the doors to ensure they cannot open it during the night.
Use labels for drawers or bags: Use images or simple words to indicate contents.
Signs for bathroom/toilet: Especially helpful in hotel rooms with unfamiliar layouts.
🔦 Safety and lighting
Pack a night light: To prevent confusion or falls in the dark.
Motion sensor light: Ideal for bathroom trips at night.
Portable plug-in alarms (if wandering is a concern): To alert if doors are opened.
📋 Routine and reassurance
Written schedule or daily routine: A printed or laminated version can provide comfort.
Favorite snacks or drinks: Familiar tastes help ground the experience.
Tablet with music or videos: Pre-loaded with calming or familiar content.
🧠 Cognitive and Emotional Comfort
Sensory tools: Fidget blankets, soft toys, or textured items can help reduce anxiety.
A familiar fragrance: A lightly scented item (like a pillow spray used at home) can create a sense of continuity.
Prepare a discreet information explaining the person’s condition, preferences, and emergency contact details, this will be helpful in case you need assistance from hotel staff or in public.
Should you book an accessible room?
Someone with dementia can benefit significantly from an accessible hotel room, even if they don’t have physical disabilities, because accessible rooms tend to be more spacious with fewer obstacles, making navigation easier and reducing fall risks.
The bathrooms will have grab rails, walk-in showers, and non-slip flooring to make it safer, especially if the person has reduced balance or gets confused during night-time bathroom visits.
Many accessible rooms are better lit, helping with visual perception and reducing confusion or agitation in dim lighting.
Careers may find it easier to support the person due to wider doorways, open-plan layouts, and adapted furniture.
These rooms are often quieter and placed away from high-traffic areas, which helps avoid overstimulation.
🔍 Research before you book!
When you book a hotel check the parking, accessibility, the size of the hotel and the room features. Not all accessible rooms are alike—some are tailored more to wheelchair users.
If no accessible rooms are available request a ground floor as this will avoid lifts and reduce disorientation from long corridors!
If you have stayed in a dementia friendly hotel do share in the comments to help others!
