Getting Through US Security
(** indicates a policy/program that has been changed or removed by the Trump administration)
1. TSA Cares (855)787-2227 is a helpline that provides travelers with disabilities, medical conditions and other special circumstances additional assistance during the security screening process. You may also request assistance through the TSA screening checkpoint by completing this form. Call 72 hours prior to traveling with questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint.
2. Travelers requiring special accommodations or concerned about the security screening process at the airport may ask a TSA officer or supervisor for a Passenger Support Specialist who can provide on-the-spot assistance.
3. TSA announces measures to implement gender-neutral screening at its checkpoints **
4. Inform the TSA officer if you or your traveling companion have Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, aphasia, or brain injury and require assistance with the screening process. You may provide a TSA notification card or other medical documentation to inform the TSA officer. If you or the person living with dementia has a Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard, this is where you inform the TSA officer about the your needs or those of the individual living with dementia.
5. TSA officers can screen travelers with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, aphasia or traumatic brain injuries without separating them from their traveling companions. You and/or your companion can inform the TSA officer about the best way to approach and conduct the screening, especially if it is necessary to touch the passenger during the screening. If your companion provides assistance during screening, he/she will need to be rescreened. You or your traveling companion may ask to be screened in a private screening area.
6. TSA policy concerning TSA officers at checkpoints wearing masks is subject to change and should be monitored so you know what to expect. According to prior policy, all TSA officers at checkpoints wore masks and gloves due to COVID-19 policies. TSA officers optionally wore eye protection and clear plastic face shields at some locations. If the person living with dementia is frightened and discomforted by interacting with someone whose face is partially obscured, the officer may be willing to lower their mask and maintain social distance while interacting with you. This will depend on current TSA policy.
7. Travelers may be asked to lower face masks to verify their identity at security checkpoints. Be prepared for this.
8. If you get to the airport and find that official ID is missing, politely explain the situation to the TSA agent. An alternative form of ID may be sufficient.
9. Ensure that the person with dementia is completely ready to go through security by removing a jacket, water bottle, emptying pockets, etc. Ask what needs to come off (some airports want watches off) so that extra time and screening are unnecessary. Let each TSA agent know that you are with a person living with dementia - by conversation, TSA Notification Card, Companion Card or the Sunflower lanyard.
10. To avoid removing any tracking devices when going through security, inform the TSA agent that the person living with dementia is wearing a medically necessary device and that It cannot be removed for medical reasons. Any questions about the device can be resolved by visual inspection. It is most helpful to prepare for this circumstance by describing the device when filling out a TSA Notification Card about the person living with dementia.
11. Have the person living with dementia go through TSA screening sitting in a wheelchair whenever possible. They do not need to walk through the scanner, even if physically able, as those instructions may cause more confusion. Stay next to them until the agent comes to open the door or gate to take them through in the chair.
12. Try to go through the scanner at the same time, so you can immediately meet the person living with dementia on the other side. Keep their attention focused on you (use eye contact!) and offer reassurances and explanations about the process.
13. If the pat-down procedure is required converse amicably while keeping the person living with dementia engaged and comfortable during the process. Pick up belongings after the pat down.
14. Screening for Passengers 75 and Older
Passengers 75 and older can receive some form of expedited screening through risk-based intelligence-driven security that allows TSA to better focus resources on passengers who more likely pose a risk.
Screening Benefits
If you do not have TSA PreCheck or CLEAR, TSA Reserve is a special virtual queue program that allows you to make a reservation on the TSA standard security screening line for yourself and your traveling companion(s), before you get to the airport (or after you arrive at the airport). The service is available in select airports and is free to use.
TSA Reserve is run by TSA at some airports and is not the same as RESERVE powered by CLEAR, although both programs exist to let you have a dedicated time slot for standard security screening in participating airports.
Items 1-5, and 14 are from the TSA website. Consult this site for up-to-date information about traveling with special needs.
Items 8-9, 11-13 adapted with permission from Carol Giuliani - Senior Travel Companion Services, LLC
©2026 Dementia-Friendly Airports Working Group
1. TSA Cares (855)787-2227 is a helpline that provides travelers with disabilities, medical conditions and other special circumstances additional assistance during the security screening process. You may also request assistance through the TSA screening checkpoint by completing this form. Call 72 hours prior to traveling with questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint.
2. Travelers requiring special accommodations or concerned about the security screening process at the airport may ask a TSA officer or supervisor for a Passenger Support Specialist who can provide on-the-spot assistance.
- TSA Passenger Support
From the TSA website: "TSA offers screening information and assistance to travelers upon request through TSA Cares at (855) 787-2227. TSA Cares is designed to assist travelers with disabilities and medical conditions and others who may need additional assistance with screening. TSA Cares is staffed, to provide travelers information on what to expect during the screening process, from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET on weekends and holiday.
Through TSA Cares, a traveler may request the services of a TSA Passenger Support Specialist (PSS), who can provide assistance through security screening. A PSS is a TSA officer who has received specialized training, including how to effectively assist and communicate with individuals with disabilities or medical conditions; and travelers who need additional screening assistance. Requesting PSS service does not exempt you from security screening."- TSA Cares is a helpline (855) 787-2227 or submit an online form
- Passenger Support Specialists
- Disabilities and Medical Conditions-Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and more
- TSA Notification card
- Screening for Passengers 75 and Older
3. TSA announces measures to implement gender-neutral screening at its checkpoints **
4. Inform the TSA officer if you or your traveling companion have Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, aphasia, or brain injury and require assistance with the screening process. You may provide a TSA notification card or other medical documentation to inform the TSA officer. If you or the person living with dementia has a Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard, this is where you inform the TSA officer about the your needs or those of the individual living with dementia.
5. TSA officers can screen travelers with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, aphasia or traumatic brain injuries without separating them from their traveling companions. You and/or your companion can inform the TSA officer about the best way to approach and conduct the screening, especially if it is necessary to touch the passenger during the screening. If your companion provides assistance during screening, he/she will need to be rescreened. You or your traveling companion may ask to be screened in a private screening area.
6. TSA policy concerning TSA officers at checkpoints wearing masks is subject to change and should be monitored so you know what to expect. According to prior policy, all TSA officers at checkpoints wore masks and gloves due to COVID-19 policies. TSA officers optionally wore eye protection and clear plastic face shields at some locations. If the person living with dementia is frightened and discomforted by interacting with someone whose face is partially obscured, the officer may be willing to lower their mask and maintain social distance while interacting with you. This will depend on current TSA policy.
7. Travelers may be asked to lower face masks to verify their identity at security checkpoints. Be prepared for this.
8. If you get to the airport and find that official ID is missing, politely explain the situation to the TSA agent. An alternative form of ID may be sufficient.
9. Ensure that the person with dementia is completely ready to go through security by removing a jacket, water bottle, emptying pockets, etc. Ask what needs to come off (some airports want watches off) so that extra time and screening are unnecessary. Let each TSA agent know that you are with a person living with dementia - by conversation, TSA Notification Card, Companion Card or the Sunflower lanyard.
10. To avoid removing any tracking devices when going through security, inform the TSA agent that the person living with dementia is wearing a medically necessary device and that It cannot be removed for medical reasons. Any questions about the device can be resolved by visual inspection. It is most helpful to prepare for this circumstance by describing the device when filling out a TSA Notification Card about the person living with dementia.
11. Have the person living with dementia go through TSA screening sitting in a wheelchair whenever possible. They do not need to walk through the scanner, even if physically able, as those instructions may cause more confusion. Stay next to them until the agent comes to open the door or gate to take them through in the chair.
12. Try to go through the scanner at the same time, so you can immediately meet the person living with dementia on the other side. Keep their attention focused on you (use eye contact!) and offer reassurances and explanations about the process.
13. If the pat-down procedure is required converse amicably while keeping the person living with dementia engaged and comfortable during the process. Pick up belongings after the pat down.
14. Screening for Passengers 75 and Older
Passengers 75 and older can receive some form of expedited screening through risk-based intelligence-driven security that allows TSA to better focus resources on passengers who more likely pose a risk.
Screening Benefits
- You may leave on your shoes and light jacket during screening.
- If you alarm during security screening, you may be required to remove your shoes for further screening or undergo a pat-down. You can request to be seated during this portion of the screening.
- Passengers 75 and older who are unable to stand for screening will be screened through other security methods.
- Should you travel with medical devices and/or implants, other screening procedures may apply.
If you do not have TSA PreCheck or CLEAR, TSA Reserve is a special virtual queue program that allows you to make a reservation on the TSA standard security screening line for yourself and your traveling companion(s), before you get to the airport (or after you arrive at the airport). The service is available in select airports and is free to use.
TSA Reserve is run by TSA at some airports and is not the same as RESERVE powered by CLEAR, although both programs exist to let you have a dedicated time slot for standard security screening in participating airports.
- TSA Reserve
- TSA Reserve is a special virtual queue program that allows you to make a reservation on the standard TSA security screening line for yourself and your traveling companions before you get to the airport or after you arrive at the airport. The service is available in select airports and is free to use.
This link to MSP Reserve provides an example of how this program works. Check with your own airport for specifics.
- TSA Reserve is a special virtual queue program that allows you to make a reservation on the standard TSA security screening line for yourself and your traveling companions before you get to the airport or after you arrive at the airport. The service is available in select airports and is free to use.
- RESERVE powered by CLEAR:
- Free service for all travelers (no CLEAR+ membership required).
- Lets you book a dedicated time slot at airport standard security checkpoints at select airports.
- You receive a QR code to use at a special RESERVE lane during your 20-minute window.
- This program works with standard security lines, not TSA PreCheck.
- Standard TSA security procedures still apply, including ID checks.
- TSA Passenger Support Specialists are available to passengers using RESERVE powered by CLEAR, and must be requested in advance through TSA Passenger Support .
- TSA Reserve is a different program run by TSA at some airports, and is not managed by CLEAR.
- RESERVE powered by CLEAR is available at select airports in North America and Europe. For the full list, visit the RESERVE powered by CLEAR page.
- Link to description of the program: https://www.ifly.com/airports/security-id-customs/reserve-powered-by-clear
Items 1-5, and 14 are from the TSA website. Consult this site for up-to-date information about traveling with special needs.
Items 8-9, 11-13 adapted with permission from Carol Giuliani - Senior Travel Companion Services, LLC
©2026 Dementia-Friendly Airports Working Group