About the Dementia-Friendly Airports Working Group

The Dementia-Friendly Airports Working Group (DFAWG) is an international collaboration of professionals, academics, and volunteers in aging and dementia services and support systems, including present and former dementia care partners, and individuals who are living with dementia. DFAWG was formed in September 2018 after learning about Brisbane Airport’s dementia-friendly airport designation.

​DFAWG’s mission is to promote the definition and implementation of substantive dementia-friendly protocols in U.S. airports and airlines and the harmonization of relevant air travel regulations world-wide.


DFAWG accomplishments to date:

• Traveling with Dementia – Airport Stories Survey
• Created a working definition of a dementia-friendly airport 
• Gathered a list of travel tips covering all aspects of air travel from booking to arrival
• Compiled a list of tools and resources that travelers may find to be helpful
• Compiled COVID-19 air travel policies
• ​​Developed a Best Practices document for security screening travelers with Dementia that was shared nationally with all TSA security personnel in October, 2020 
• Contributed information about the international Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program resulting in adoption of the program by Minneapolis/Saint Paul International Airport beginning November, 2020
• Continuing interviews with air travelers living with dementia and their care partners/travel companions

 
DFAWG outreach activities:

• Sharing ideas, materials, and contacts with other US groups working to make their airports dementia-friendly
• Participating in global efforts to improve and harmonize air travel for people living with dementia and their care partners/travel companions

Contact: 
​Sara Barsel, Ph.D. c/o DementiaFriendlyAirports@gmail.com