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HOME
  • Dementia-Friendly Airports - Details
    • What is a Dementia-Friendly Airport?
    • Current Status of Dementia-Friendly Airports
    • Regulations and Guidance for Hidden Disabilities Air Travel >
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
      • Australia
      • European Union
      • Canada
      • International Air Transport Association (IATA)
    • Tools for Becoming a Dementia-Friendly Airport
  • Training Resources
    • Delivering Dementia-Friendly Customer Service
    • Dementia Basics for Air Travel Industry Workers
    • Airport Scenarios - Teepa Snow/DFAWG Collaboration
    • For Air Travelers
  • About Us
    • Members
    • Participating Airports
    • Projects >
      • TSA Security Screening Guidance >
        • Screening Passengers with Dementia (Part 1)
        • Screening Passengers with Dementia (Part 2)
        • In the Words of an Individual Living with Dementia - What He Would Like You to Know
      • Survey
      • Interviews
    • Logo
  • Media
    • Local Media
    • National Media
    • Presentations
    • Academic Publications
  • Resources for Travel
    • Know Your Rights
    • Flight Process Start to Finish >
      • 1. Before Booking Flights
      • 2. Booking Flights
      • 3. Preparing for Flight
      • 4. Arriving at the Airport
      • 5. Getting Through US Security
      • 6. Navigating to Your Gate and Boarding the Plane
      • 7. Flying
      • 8. Arriving at Your Destination
    • Tools for Travel
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Presentations

Caring For a Person with Memory Loss Conference - University of Minnesota - June 2024

Title:
Dementia-Friendly Air Travel - What You Need to Know
​

Presenter: 
Sara Barsel, PhD


HealthPartners Center for Memory and Aging - April 2024

Title:

Preparing for travel primarily by air for people living with dementia and their care partners

Presenter:
Sara Barsel, PhD

Poster - the Gerontological Society of America Annual Scientific Meeting - November 2020

Title: 

Air Travel Concerns and Complaints of Persons Living with Dementia and Their Travel Companions

Authors: 
Colleen M. Peterson, PhD; Tamara L. Statz, MA, LMFT, FT; Sara Barsel, PhD; Robyn Birkeland, PhD; Joseph Gaugler, PhD; & Jessica Finlay, PhD.

Abstract: 
Air travel is increasingly accessible and rising numbers of older adults choose to fly. The prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) is also expected to increase due to advances in longevity and the aging Baby Boomer population. An ADRD diagnosis does not necessarily end the desire to travel for leisure, and air travel may be necessary for family and/or care reasons. Taken together, more persons living with ADRD are expected to use air travel. This is concerning since adverse outcomes, including confusion and delirium, can be exacerbated by unfamiliar environments, such as airports and in-flight situations. Yet there is little research on air travel with this population. The current study seeks to 1) understand air travel experiences, issues, and needs of persons living with ADRD and their travel companions; and 2) identify facilitators and barriers to safe and comfortable air travel for persons living with ADRD. Persons living with ADRD (n=49) and ADRD travel companions (n=176) provided information on their air travel experiences through a nationally distributed web-survey. They traveled for family visits (80.0%) and leisure (38.0%). Both persons living with ADRD and travel companions indicated anxiety (50% and 60.7%, respectively), difficulty understanding announcements and signage (39.1%, 55.2%) and getting lost or separated (37.5%, 53.2%) as primary travel concerns. Qualitative comments identified themes of frustration with locating family restrooms and quiet spaces. Results from this study will inform ongoing efforts to develop dementia-friendly airports and improve older adult travel experiences, independence, and quality of life.

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  • Dementia-Friendly Airports - Details
    • What is a Dementia-Friendly Airport?
    • Current Status of Dementia-Friendly Airports
    • Regulations and Guidance for Hidden Disabilities Air Travel >
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
      • Australia
      • European Union
      • Canada
      • International Air Transport Association (IATA)
    • Tools for Becoming a Dementia-Friendly Airport
  • Training Resources
    • Delivering Dementia-Friendly Customer Service
    • Dementia Basics for Air Travel Industry Workers
    • Airport Scenarios - Teepa Snow/DFAWG Collaboration
    • For Air Travelers
  • About Us
    • Members
    • Participating Airports
    • Projects >
      • TSA Security Screening Guidance >
        • Screening Passengers with Dementia (Part 1)
        • Screening Passengers with Dementia (Part 2)
        • In the Words of an Individual Living with Dementia - What He Would Like You to Know
      • Survey
      • Interviews
    • Logo
  • Media
    • Local Media
    • National Media
    • Presentations
    • Academic Publications
  • Resources for Travel
    • Know Your Rights
    • Flight Process Start to Finish >
      • 1. Before Booking Flights
      • 2. Booking Flights
      • 3. Preparing for Flight
      • 4. Arriving at the Airport
      • 5. Getting Through US Security
      • 6. Navigating to Your Gate and Boarding the Plane
      • 7. Flying
      • 8. Arriving at Your Destination
    • Tools for Travel
    • Travel Tips
    • Covid-19 Air Travel Policies
  • Contact Us