For many families, a dementia diagnosis quietly closes the door on things they once took for granted – including holidays. The planning feels overwhelming, the risks feel too big, and carers often end up thinking, “It’s just not worth the stress.”
Charity Dementia Adventure 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 – and can be deeply restorative for everyone involved.
Esther, who recently travelled on a Dementia Adventure family holiday with her wife Angela and their children, admits she’d reached the point where going away felt impossible.
Chance to be a wife again, not just a carer
“I simply couldn’t take Angela and the children away on my own, not safely, mentally, or physically,” she explains. “So when I heard about Dementia Adventure’s family holiday to the Forest of Dean, I felt so hopeful. For me, the break allowed something I hadn’t felt in years: the chance to be Angela’s wife again, not only her carer. I could be present rather than constantly risk‑assessing and managing. That space, that dignity, was a gift.”
That idea – of giving partners, sons, daughters and friends a chance to step out of “care mode” and simply enjoy time together again – sits at the heart of every break.
Unlike traditional respite trips, Dementia Adventure’s model keeps loved ones together. Small groups of four couples holiday together, supported by a dedicated team of dementia‑trained staff and volunteers who are on hand 24 hours a day.
What makes these holidays different?
Each holiday is five days and four nights in one of 11 hand‑picked locations across England, Scotland and Wales – from the peaks of the Lake District and the beaches of Norfolk to Cornwall’s rugged coastline, the Wye Valley, Fife and a breathtaking new base in the Scottish Highlands.
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 “hold” all the logistics in the background.
One carer describes it simply: “The care and support from our team was absolutely amazing. Their dedication and kindness transformed our holiday experience.”
Planned and assessed in advance
Every detail is planned and risk‑assessed in advance. Itineraries are built around what people enjoy – gentle walks, boat trips, wildlife watching, gardens, historic houses, even things like canoe‑rafting, trishaw rides, or alpaca‑wool felting for those who fancy something different. Entry fees, meals, drinks and transport during the holiday are all included, so there’s no need to juggle tickets or worry about unexpected costs once you arrive.
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, “When 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’s, it was proving difficult.”
Once they arrived, his fears eased. “Margaret was considerably calmer throughout the holiday, so much so that she wanted to stay longer! I felt the whole break was relaxing – I didn’t have the worry of ‘What’s going to happen next?’”
Over the course of the week, they enjoyed activities that would have felt out of reach alone, including a horse‑and‑carriage ride and a boat trip. The benefits lasted beyond their journey home: “When coming home, I felt more relaxed, having benefitted from the break. Margaret told people what a lovely time she had.”
Not for profit
Dementia Adventure’s holidays are run on a not‑for‑profit basis. Thanks to donations and players of People’s Postcode Lottery, around 80% of holidays are already part‑subsidised, and 2026 prices are lower than in 2025.
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.
