The holiday season is here and it's time to visit friends and family. Flying with seniors with dementia may seem daunting, but with planning and preparation, traveling and spending cherished time with others is possible.
What to Expect
On a busy travel day, the airport terminal is bustling with people, shrieking children, public announcements, numerous screens displaying information, and other inputs that others can process and filter. For a person with dementia, all of those inputs are bombarding their senses at once. Their ability to filter everything around them is impaired. As a result, seniors with dementia may become very anxious and display unpredictable behaviors. While caregivers cannot control the chaos, they can take steps to make the travel day a bit easier.
Prepare for the Trip
Preparation starts in the planning phase of travel. Choose flights with, preferably, no layovers. If there must be a layover, avoid tight connection times. If traveling a long distance, consider limiting travel to about 4 hours, allowing for rest and restoration for everyone. Choose a time of day when the senior is at their best. For example, those with Sundowner's Syndrome would benefit from morning travel. Finally, reserve seating in the front of the airplane; even better is seating in business or first class if available.
Three days before travel day, contact TSA Cares to prepare for flying with seniors with dementia. They will help streamline the TSA Security process. Read this service's fine print to know the program's details. Consider signing up for Clear, if the airport has the program; it allows travelers to quickly get through the security lines. It is a cost-based program but may be worth it for streamlined travel.
Travel Day
In addition to regular bags, pack an emergency bag. This bag will include medical directives, legal papers, medications, contact information, extra clothing, and anything else senior family members would need throughout their journey. Give plenty of time on travel day. Get to the airport hours before the flight without rushing and additional stress.
While waiting in the terminal, seek out quiet places for respite from the chaos. Noise-canceling headphones might be a solution for filtering out distracting noise. Once the journey is complete, give time and space in the hotel or other accommodations, allowing the elderly family member to decompress. After a full day, everyone will appreciate a little downtime.
Whether through TSA Cares or at the airport, inform TSA that you are traveling with a family member with dementia. They will work to ensure security checkpoints go as smoothly as possible, including keeping the traveling party together. Once on the plane, let the crew know about the senior family member's condition; they will be able to help throughout the flight.
Enjoy the Journey
Traveling can be stressful for anyone, and flying with seniors with dementia has the potential to add stress. Preparing well for the day will help. Caregivers accompanying senior family members can find joy in the trip as well. It begins with preparation and managing expectations. Appreciate the quiet moments and time spent with loved ones, and find opportunities to laugh and share special moments.
Here in Summerville, Orangeburg, Santee, Summerton, Ridgeville, and St. Matthews, Senior Helpers is here to help, providing exceptional in-home care for elderly family members. Contact us today to learn more.