We've done the research and found over 10 brands that cover you if you have dementia or Alzheimer's. Many insurers will flat-out exclude cover for pre-existing mental conditions, including dementia. Others may agree to provide you with travel insurance for Alzheimer's if you undergo a medical screening. This can simply be filled out online.
Check out the list below to get started. You can also read on to find out more about how to get travel cover if you've been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's and what to do when you travel.
Which Finder travel insurance brands cover dementia?
Customer can complete the online medical assessment and InsureandGo will decide if they will cover the existing condition. Additional premiums may apply.
Customer can add pre-existing condition and must complete an online medical assessment. 1Cover will decide if they will cover the condition and/or exclude it from your policy. Additional premiums may apply.
Should I tell my insurer if I've been recently diagnosed?
Any changes in your health can affect your cover, and in some cases can invalidate your policy. If you already have travel insurance - for instance if you have an annual travel insurance policy - you need to let your insurer know about a dementia or Alzheimer's diagnosis.
That way, you'll know whether or not your existing policy will cover you. Your insurer will probably ask you to complete a medical assessment, helping them determine the seriousness of your condition. These assessments are nothing to be worried about and usually don't take long to complete - the provider simply needs to work out if they can afford to insure you. If you've only recently been diagnosed, your policy might still be valid, though there might be an increase in your premiums. If they refuse to insure you, there are always alternatives.
Shop around
While the cost is likely to be higher for dementia sufferers, you can still get travel insurance. If you are refused by an insurer, shop around for a policy elsewhere. If you are finding it hard to get cover, there are also specialist insurers who cover people with dementia.
Alternatively, check out the list above. These insurers all offer cover to those with dementia and Alzheimer's - all you need to do is complete the medical assessments. If filling out medical assessments online isn't really your thing, speak to a broker. It'll cost you a little more, but they can shop around and find cover for you.
Planning a trip with dementia
The more thorough you plan your trip, the easier it'll be for you or the person with dementia you are travelling with. Follow these steps to ensure dementia doesn't prevent you from having a great trip.
Start small. It's a good idea to travel on a shorter domestic trip and see how that goes, before you plan any international trips. That way, you'll be able to assess how easily you or your traveller managed the flight and coped with being in a new and unfamiliar place. Try and go out of peak season as well to avoid massive crowds and tourists everywhere. It's also much easier to find domestic cover for Alzheimer's and you'll still have access to Medicare.
Have a travel itinerary. Travelling to a new place is exciting, unfamiliar and often disorientating for anyone, so if you or companion has dementia, it's an especially good idea to have your trip clearly planned out. That way, you have a routine to stick to and follow.
Consider a cruise. Cruises are a great option if you have Alzheimer's or dementia as you can establish a routine and familiarise yourself with the areas, all while enjoying a relaxing holiday experience. Remember though that Medicare and private health insurance often isn't covered while you're on a cruise, so you'll need to look into alternative medical cover.
Don't be afraid to tell people. Whether it's the hotel staff or tour guides, letting people know you or your companion has dementia is important. That way, everyone is on the same page should a little assistance be required.
What documents should you take with you when travelling?
When travelling with dementia or with someone who has Alzheimer's, it's important to carry documentation with you in case of an emergency. This should include:
Doctor's name and contact details
A list of medications and dosages
A list of food or drug allergies (if relevant)
Emergency phone numbers such as local police, ambulance and fire department
Copies of legal documents such as a will and power of attorney
Contact details of friends and family
Insurance information, including policy number and insurer's contact details
Tips for travelling with dementia
The following general tips are useful when travelling with someone who has dementia:
When travelling by car, make sure you or your companion are comfortable; take breaks, especially on long trips.
When travelling by plane, inform the airline ahead of time so that cabin staff can provide any extra assistance if necessary.
Book flights with plenty of time so that you don't need to rush to gates.
Make sure you or your companion has identification on them. An identity bracelet is ideal in case you become separated at any stage of the journey.
If your companion suffers from dementia, it's best that you keep all valuables and important documentation with you, including money, ID, passports and tickets.
Carry a list of the required medications and their doctor's contact details.
Compare your cover options
Suffering from dementia doesn’t mean you can’t travel. It just means you need to plan well ahead and take precautions wherever possible to make the process as smooth and painless as possible.
The following services provide help and information regarding dementia, which you may find useful:
Alzheimer's Australia. Alzheimer's Australia provides support services, education and information for families and carers of people with all types of dementia.
The Alzheimer’s Association. The Alzheimer’s Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organisation dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research.
Memory Loss. Memory Loss provides a collection of helpful resources for those with Alzheimer's disease and their carers, including books, DVDs, videos, help sheets and online resources.
My Aged Care. The Australian Government’s My Aged Care website provides access to a full range of aged care services and information on aged care for individuals and their carers.
Your Brain Matters. Your Brain Matters can help you maximise your brains health by showing you how making simple changes to your everyday life can reduce your risk of developing dementia.
The Dementia Support Service. The Dementia Support Service provides brochures and fact sheets on dementia and information on local face-to-face counselling and support services.
Richard Laycock is Finder’s insights editor after spending the last five years writing and editing articles about insurance. His musings can be found across the web including on MoneyMag, Yahoo Finance and Travel Weekly. Richard studied Media at Macquarie University and The Missouri School of Journalism and has a Tier 1 Certification in General Advice for Life Insurance.
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