Good to go guide

Advice for carers

With a little preparation and planning, you and the person you care for can enjoy a variety of outings and trips that you can relive again and again.

Our Good to go guide has lots of tips on things to do, places to go, what to take with you, how to tackle issues that might arise and making the most of your outing.

Good to go

Get set, go! Our Good to go guide has hundreds of ideas and suggestions. Below are just some great tips if you’re planning an outing.

Start small: Do things in short periods or go somewhere local to start with. You can build up to more ambitious outings, or your loved one may always want to keep to small outings.
Find a day centre: Your local day centre will get your loved one used to being out and about, meeting new people and having different experiences.
Involve your loved one: Involving the person you care for in planning the outing helps them to retain a sense of independence and self esteem.
Go with the moment: If the person you care for says they’d like to go for a walk, try and do it there and then. Likewise, if they don’t want to go out when the moment comes for your outing, don’t push them.
Enjoy the great outdoors: Outdoor activities, from walking to gardening or even more adventurous and energetic pastimes, can bring huge emotional and physical benefits to people who are living with dementia.
Choose the right venue: Is it accessible? Will staff help you? Talk to staff when you arrive (or ideally, in advance of your visit) to help them to understand how they can assist.
Plan the journey: People who are living with dementia can become anxious in traffic jams or during a long journey. If your destination is a distance away, are there places to stop for a break? Can you travel outside of rush hours?
Venue inspiration: Look in your local paper or visit your local tourist information centre for ideas of places to go that will help to bring back memories for your loved one. Is there a tea dance in your area? What museums are around?
Take plenty of photographs: An activity you could do after the outing could be to create a mini album together with photos and keepsakes of the day.
Identify yourself: Make sure you and your loved one have identity cards on you. Include emergency numbers and your photo on your loved one’s card, and theirs on yours. That way, if you’re taken ill, or you become separated from each other, you’ll both get the help you need

Inside this guide

Learn about the difference that exercise, activity and access to nature can make to people living with dementia
Hints and tips from Care UK colleagues, residents and relatives
Discover how to plan and prepare for an enjoyable day out
Ideas for making the most of your outing