Flying
What an airline can and cannot provide during the flight:
Individual Safety Briefings
1. Have some activities to keep the person living with dementia occupied, such as music, iPad photos, or set up a movie. The person living with dementia may prefer short features or animal documentaries instead of an action-packed full length movie.
2. If possible, let the flight attendant know that you are accompanying a person living with dementia. If your companion understands questions and instructions, politely ask the flight attendant to speak directly to them. If the instructions are too complex, repeat them by breaking them down into smaller steps.
3. Ask the person living with dementia if a bathroom is needed, especially well before landing. Use the first-class bathroom for more privacy, if possible. Depending on the situation, you may want to show them the bathroom functions (how to flush the toilet and use the sink) and/or help them by holding the door a little open or going inside if you fit. Don’t worry about getting accidentally locked in; there is a release button familiar to the flight attendants. Some wide-bodied planes have handicapped bathrooms.
4. If the person living with dementia engages in worrisome behavior mid-flight, such as unbuckling the seat belt repeatedly, try to redirect them and deal with the situation as gently as possible.
Items 1-4 adapted with permission from Carol Giuliani - Senior Travel Companion Services, LLC
Individual Safety Briefings
- Customers may receive an individual safety briefing to make sure they are properly advised of safety procedures. These individual briefings can include an explanation of where and when to exit. We may also inquire as to the most appropriate way to assist the customer.
- Flight attendants will offer assistance to semi-ambulatory customers in getting to/from the seat during boarding and/or disembarkation and to/from the onboard lavatory. They may assist with loading and retrieving carry-on items and other assistive devices stowed on board the aircraft. They will also assist with meal preparation such as opening packages and identifying items. They cannot assist with any medical services, assistance inside the lavatory or in actual feeding.
1. Have some activities to keep the person living with dementia occupied, such as music, iPad photos, or set up a movie. The person living with dementia may prefer short features or animal documentaries instead of an action-packed full length movie.
2. If possible, let the flight attendant know that you are accompanying a person living with dementia. If your companion understands questions and instructions, politely ask the flight attendant to speak directly to them. If the instructions are too complex, repeat them by breaking them down into smaller steps.
3. Ask the person living with dementia if a bathroom is needed, especially well before landing. Use the first-class bathroom for more privacy, if possible. Depending on the situation, you may want to show them the bathroom functions (how to flush the toilet and use the sink) and/or help them by holding the door a little open or going inside if you fit. Don’t worry about getting accidentally locked in; there is a release button familiar to the flight attendants. Some wide-bodied planes have handicapped bathrooms.
4. If the person living with dementia engages in worrisome behavior mid-flight, such as unbuckling the seat belt repeatedly, try to redirect them and deal with the situation as gently as possible.
Items 1-4 adapted with permission from Carol Giuliani - Senior Travel Companion Services, LLC