Originally published: Global Travel Media, 15 September 2026
A new survey of more than 1,000 Australians has found that more than eight in ten Australians surveyed (83.47%) would consider some form of travel with someone who has dementia. Willingness to travel ranged from short local trips through to international travel, challenging the general assumption that a dementia diagnosis means travel must stop.
The findings come as Dementia Action Week (21–27 September) approaches and World Tourism Day falls on 27 September, creating a timely opportunity to consider how travel can remain part of life for people living with dementia and those who care for them.
The new survey, commissioned by dementia and carers’ advocate Dr Debra Graves OAM, co-author of To Dementia With Love, explores attitudes towards travelling with someone living with dementia.
While most people (42%) said they would favour shorter, local trips, 14.54% would consider domestic travel across Australia, (such as between major cities and capitals), and 17.43% would be willing to consider longer trips within their region, (such as day or weekend trips within a few hours’ travel).
Nearly 10% would consider international travel, including travel to nearby countries, such as New Zealand and the Pacific Islands (4.48%), while 4.98% would consider long-haul flights to destinations, such as Europe, Asia or North America
The findings also point to strong support for a more personalised approach to caring for someone who has dementia.
More than 66% of Australians stated that a personalised approach to dementia care (taking into account an individual’s personal interests, likes and dislikes), would be either ‘very beneficial’ (39.84%) or ‘extremely beneficial’ (26.69%).
This survey was commissioned by Dr Debra Graves, conducted by Pureprofile, surveying more than 1,000 respondents across Australia.
