Are there any suggestions for my mother-in-law in late 80's? She is the most intelligent nurse, masters in psychology, realtor, lived in China and South Africa, coolest mother-in-law in the world. She is so excited about the cruise. However, she is use to going and going and going. I have to hire someone to take her shopping daily while I'm at work. She has Alzheimer's and wanders off down the street when we aren't watching constantly. I'm afraid, no, I know, she will leave the room while we are sleeping or her room mate is not in the room. She is so intelligent, but she will not remember how to get back or where she should return. I have thought of some sort of unremovable bracelet with name and room # maybe but don't know how to make it happen. I will also notify our room steward but I need suggestions how to ensure she is returned to her room. Thanks so much!

Make sure you complete the "special medical needs form" this form will give you the opporunity to tell Carnival what her needs are. Before you depart they will also call you to make sure everything you need is in place. I also suggest you get a medical alert braclet that lists her condition in case she is found alone.

My daughter is disabled and I have a motion alarm that is battery operated and easy to pack. The alarm goes off if the "beam" of light is broken. You can place it on the floor in front of the door or by her bed. If she get up the alarm will go off and believe me you can not sleep thru the noise it makes!

If she does leave the room, she really can't go anywhere unless you are in port. My mum has beginning symptoms and I took her on a cruise this past Spring. She forgot her cabin number a few times and the purser and stewards assisted her back to the room. In new situations, she simply cannot cope anymore and gets lost very easily. You are lucky she will have a roommate. My DH couldn't come at the last minute so my cabin was on the starboard side while my Mum's was directly across the ship on the port side. That caused a few problems, of course.

It's not a bad idea to make sure your MIL wears Depends (even if she is not incontinent, she may get lost on the way to a restroom) and her S&S card on a lanyard around her neck and a medic alert bracelet.  If she loses her card, the purser will issue a new one and cancel out the old one so it can't be misused.

I had a huge problem monitoring my Mum's sugar intake. She would sneak up to the Lido for cake and pie, not good foods for a diabetic. If the ship's personnel are aware of the situation, they can be a big help. She was embarrassed when she forgot to wear the Depends and the inevitable happened but the steward must have been very experienced with the situation and whisked away the soiled clothes very discreetly and returned them the next day.

Do not let her carry her handbag around. Mum left hers on the Lido Deck on a table outside. About 45 minutes later we were retracing our steps and there the purse was, in plain view, undisturbed and intact. I breathed a silent "Thank you" to all our fellow sailors who displayed such good character. Losing her ID, insurance card, credit cards, etc., would have been a real problem.

I worried more in port but since we went to Canada, everyone spoke English so it helped her feel more comfortable in the strange surroundings. She would forget to button up her coat and her gloves and scarf so I just made sure the gloves were fastened to the sleeves of her coat with that little clip on device they sell just for that purpose. She still managed to lose them somewhere.

You can find a wonderful device at Bed, Bath and Beyond.  It is a magnetized device. After the cabin door is closed, her roommate attaches it with double-faced tape (included). If the door is opened the magnetic field is interrupted and an insistent beeping starts. There is a little switch to turn it off when you leave the cabin in the daytime. If you have time, please e-mail the address and I would be happy to send you the one I have. Might need a battery.

You have my sympathy. It is not an easy disease for a family to cope with. I won't be able to take my Mum on a cruise again but at least she experienced it once - and somewhere in her subconscious I know your MIL appreciates everything you do for her.

Suzie

P.S. After we got back from that cruise, I immediately booked a short one on the Elation for my DH and me - just to recover!!! You might consider a vacation after the vacation, too.

Suzie, Thanks SO much! That helps a lot. So grateful for all of your ideas. I will definitely keep the S&S card on a lanyard w/out privileges so she can not leave boat or have someone charge on it. We will keep a bracelet with room # and name on her. Plus, I will have a large photo of her deceased husband on her door so she recognizes it and isn't afraid someone knows a woman stays inside. Great idea again! Will work on the depends. She refuses to let us know she wears them at night so I will see if her daughter can help me persuade her before she goes. (That part where the dignity still gets in the way is challenging. We all clean the sheets and messes but she refuses to let us carry underwear to wash.) The magnetized door device would be amazing. If you want to share and have me return, that would be a blessing! I am fordsdream(at)yahoo(dot)com- (avoiding spam but you know the addy then). Just let me know. That would help more than you could possibly know. Thanks so much for it all. Beth