Ready for Your Dream Vacation even if living with Alzheimer’s/Dementia?

katherine.wells
Updated on
"Accessible travel ensures that every moment of a dream trip can be enjoyed without restrictions - regardless of diagnosis. We cater to those with diagnoses such as Dementia/Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, MS, Diabetes, etc., as well as their caregivers and family members to create extraordinary lifetime memories together."

Imagine taking a loved one living with dementia, Parkinsons, or any other issue that might make it difficult to travel, on a cruise! Chief Inspiration Maverick, Katherine Wells, recalls her father’s desire for an Alaskan cruise right up until he passed. Not being able to see how it would be manageable with his high care needs, it was not ever considered an option. But thanks to our guest today, Kathy Shoaf, it is absolutely possible!

Kathy Shoaf, RN, is uniquely qualified to understand travel challenges for those living with an issue that prevents them – and often their caregiver – from the enjoyment of traveling. So she set out to solve it!

Kathy launched an dementia-friendly cruise opportunity that takes care of every detail for the care recipient allowing a true respite for caregivers. Yet they also get to enjoy time together and create invaluable memories. Kathy personally accompanies each and every cruise group and sometimes even brings her parents along!  Since 2005 they’ve been helping people across the nation take their dream vacations to some of the most beautiful spots in the world. She specializes in accessible travel and ensures that every moment of the trip can be enjoyed without restrictions. Their custom cruises and travel events cater to those with diagnoses such as Dementia/Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, MS, Diabetes, etc., as well as their caregivers and family members. 

We hope you enjoy this episode!

And if you’re curious about how qualified Kathy Shoaf is to do this, she has 20+ years of clinical and management experience in Geriatric, Neurology, Rehabilitation, and Senior Housing as a registered nurse and adaptive technology professional. She is a Certified Dementia Educator, A Certified Accessible Travel Specialist, a Fellow at the American College of Healthcare, an Athena Nominated Senior Care Advocate, and an American Express Travel Agency Award Winner. Truly an inspiration!

Hey– don’t forget about our truly innovative new event – Collaboration In Aging. This event takes place IN PERSON in Denver, CO on Sept 16 & 17, 2021.

LIKE THIS EPISODE?

Subscribe on your favorite podcast or video platform!

White serenity logo

SPONSORED BY

Serenity Engage is an award-winning HIPAA-compliant messaging platform that has been proven to:
- save time for staff
- increase referrals
- reduce risk for senior care providers

Ask about a 10% insurance premium discount for using Serenity. Learn more at www.serenityengage.com.

At Maverick’s Headquarters, we see opportunities to improve today’s senior care systems and create hope for the way we age. We tackle hard topics with the goal of creating conversation and generating action to solve problems.

Want to join the Maverick Movement? 

Have a story on how you or your team are fostering ingenuity? 

Share it with us and check out our other episodes to light your innovation fire. Don’t forget to subscribe for more great interviews.

Mavericks mug

WANT YOUR MAVERICKS MUG?

Join our Facebook Group and tell us what you action you'll take from this episode. Every month we draw from our group members for a Mavericks mug.

Mavericks of Senior Living is sponsored by Serenity Engage and Assured Assisted Living. This episode was produced by Katherine Wells & Francis LeGasse.  Subscribe to Mavericks for Senior Living on Apple PodcastsGoogle Play or Stitcher. Find us on TwitterFacebook, or via email at ignitehope@mavericksofseniorliving.