In order to help families affected by dementia, France Alzheimer organises adapted vacation retreats for the past 30 years.
Organising holidays can be so taxing for people with dementia and their families that it sometimes seems easier not to go. And yet, the very peoplw who are struggling are those most in need of a vacation! Time off is an essential respite in combatting the illness and can help give families affected by dementia the energy to face the daily challenges it poses. And those who are living with dementia want and have the same chance to holiday as anybody else. Hiking and sunbathing on the beach are examples of the little things, which are highly appreciated by families who face this illness.
To make it possible, they need the appropriate assistance. This is why vacation retreats have been one of France Alzheimer’s priorities for the past 30 years.
Every year, between April and October, about 15 trips are organised by the association, in centres adapted for people with dementia and their caregivers. The retreats last for 10 or 11 days and accommodation, full board, activities and excursions are all covered.
Thanks to France Alzheimer’s volunteers, guests can all relax while receiving the care they need. Stigmatising the families is out of the question; on the contrary, since the objective of these retreats is to focus on other things than dementia.
In order to reduce vacation access inequalities and to grant this opportunity to as many people as possible, France Alzheimer offers five pricing plans. They are proportional to the participants’ yearly income tax. In other words, the cost is adapted to the income of those who wish to benefit from the retreat. The difference between the actual cost and the paid amount is covered by the Association. 6,000 people have benefited from vacation retreats over the past 30 years.