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For many families, a dementia diagnosis quietly closes the door on things they once took for granted \u2013 including holidays. The planning feels overwhelming, the risks feel too big, and carers often end up thinking, \u201cIt\u2019s just not worth the stress.\u201d<\/p>\n
Charity Dementia Adventure<\/strong><\/a> exists to challenge that. Their not-for-profit supported holidays are designed specifically for people living with dementia and the people who love them, proving that with the right help, travel and adventure are still possible \u2013 and can be deeply restorative for everyone involved.<\/p>\n Esther, who recently travelled on a Dementia Adventure family holiday with her wife Angela and their children, admits she\u2019d reached the point where going away felt impossible.<\/p>\n \u201cI simply couldn\u2019t take Angela and the children away on my own, not safely, mentally, or physically,\u201d she explains. \u201cSo when I heard about Dementia Adventure\u2019s family holiday to the Forest of Dean, I felt so hopeful. For me, the break allowed something I hadn\u2019t felt in years: the chance to be Angela\u2019s wife again, not only her carer. I could be present rather than constantly risk\u2011assessing and managing. That space, that dignity, was a gift.\u201d<\/p>\n That idea \u2013 of giving partners, sons, daughters and friends a chance to step out of \u201ccare mode\u201d and simply enjoy time together again \u2013 sits at the heart of every break.<\/p>\n Unlike traditional respite trips, Dementia Adventure\u2019s model keeps loved ones together. Small groups of four couples holiday together, supported by a dedicated team of dementia\u2011trained staff and volunteers who are on hand 24 hours a day.<\/p>\n Each holiday is five days and four nights in one of 11 hand\u2011picked locations across England, Scotland and Wales \u2013 from the peaks of the Lake District and the beaches of Norfolk to Cornwall\u2019s rugged coastline, the Wye Valley, Fife and a breathtaking new base in the Scottish Highlands.<\/p>\n Groups are deliberately small: usually four couples (eight people) per holiday. Each couple has their own named support person, alongside an experienced Adventure Leader. The team can help with mealtimes, accompany you on walks and day trips, keep an eye on safety and orientation and quietly \u201chold\u201d all the logistics in the background.<\/p>\n One carer describes it simply: \u201cThe care and support from our team was absolutely amazing. Their dedication and kindness transformed our holiday experience.\u201d<\/p>\n Every detail is planned and risk\u2011assessed in advance. Itineraries are built around what people enjoy \u2013 gentle walks, boat trips, wildlife watching, gardens, historic houses, even things like canoe\u2011rafting, trishaw rides, or alpaca\u2011wool felting for those who fancy something different. Entry fees, meals, drinks and transport during the holiday are all included, so there\u2019s no need to juggle tickets or worry about unexpected costs once you arrive.<\/p>\n For many carers, the biggest change is invisible: someone else is finally sharing the responsibility. Brian, who cares for his wife Margaret, lives with his own health challenges and was initially unsure whether a holiday could really work for them. He admits, \u201cWhen it was first booked, I thought it was rather expensive. Physically, I was concerned that I myself might struggle due to a lack of mobility. I am partially disabled, and with Margaret having Alzheimer\u2019s, it was proving difficult.\u201d<\/p>\n Once they arrived, his fears eased. \u201cMargaret was considerably calmer throughout the holiday, so much so that she wanted to stay longer! I felt the whole break was relaxing \u2013 I didn\u2019t have the worry of \u2018What\u2019s going to happen next?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Over the course of the week, they enjoyed activities that would have felt out of reach alone, including a horse\u2011and\u2011carriage ride and a boat trip. The benefits lasted beyond their journey home: \u201cWhen coming home, I felt more relaxed, having benefitted from the break. Margaret told people what a lovely time she had.\u201d<\/p>\n Dementia Adventure\u2019s holidays are run on a not\u2011for\u2011profit basis. Thanks to donations and players of People\u2019s Postcode Lottery, around 80% of holidays are already part\u2011subsidised, and 2026 prices are lower than in 2025.<\/p>\n For more information, to explore dates and destinations, or to talk through funding options, contact Dementia Adventure on 01245 237548 or visit www.dementiaadventure.org<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\nChance to be a wife again, not just a carer<\/h3>\n
What makes these holidays different?<\/h3>\n
Planned and assessed in advance<\/h3>\n
Not for profit <\/h3>\n
Like this:<\/h3>\n