Making Airports More Dementia-Friendly
As one of the country’s leading educators on dementia, Teepa Snow, the Founder of Positive Approach to Care™, has worked to enhance life and relationships for those living with brain change. One of her latest efforts is a partnership with the Dementia-Friendly Airports Working Group to create a series of short videos simulating a variety of travel scenarios. The mission of her partnering organization is to improve air travel for people living with dementia by developing and sharing dementia-friendly resources for travelers, air travel industry staff and security screeners.
Snow said about 25 airports internationally have adopted the dementia-friendly model. The number is growing because the effort is worth it. Airports can be difficult places for many people, but for those living with memory loss the confusion is far greater. Complicated security protocol, the unfamiliar environment, crowds and confusing signage can cause a person with dementia to become distressed, resulting in stress and delays for them, airport employees and other travelers. Episodes of physical harm or unnecessary calls to law enforcement or security often follow.
Snow mentioned the case of one woman who came out of the restroom and, thinking she had already been on the plane, went out to the parking lot to go home. The result was that the entire airport had to be shut down until she was found.
“It’s bad enough for regular travelers who get stressed,” Snow says. “The airports are supportive because they recognize that if they aren’t, they pay the price.”
Originally intended to train airport personnel, the free videos, which feature scenarios such as trying to check-in at an airport kiosk or purchase something in an airport store, have received positive feedback from individuals living with dementia, family caregivers, those who work in a variety of businesses at the airport, as well as those who plan trips for seniors, and the general public, Snow says. For airport personnel who don’t always recognize the hidden disabilities of people living with memory loss, the videos have been enlightening.
“They say, ‘I didn’t know that was dementia. We get those people all the time.’ It’s not something they could figure out until they have the interaction. Without awareness, they just think the person is being unreasonable.”
Many patients with memory loss travel alone, Snow said. “Some haven’t been diagnosed yet and those who have been still want to go places and see people.”
In dealing with distressed persons, the reaction is often to talk louder, which only upsets the person more. “But it’s not a hearing problem,” Snow says. “Sometimes the brain change problems are so hidden they won’t show up until you stress me, like telling me to go to another gate. All of a sudden I can’t compensate. ‘What did he just say? Why did it change?’ The sense of getting overwhelmed happens so rapidly. The brain doesn’t have the flexibility it used to have.”
The person can also become flustered when asked for something as simple as their ticket. “Their brain won’t find the thing that is a ticket. It’s a scary place to be. If I have someone on the other side of the counter who is trained, I don’t have the meltdown.”
Rather than give the person directions to the new gate, such as turn left at the end of this corridor and you will see it on the right midway down, which is too much to process, the trained worker will say, “I’m going that way. I’ll take you.”
Teepa Snow’s 8 Tips for Dementia-Friendly Airport Travel
- Choose supportive behavior. If the flight has been delayed and the person gets restless and keeps asking why they’re not leaving, affirm them by saying, “Yes, you’re right. We should have left by now,” and take them for a walk to avoid just sitting in the waiting area.
- Wear a hat or clothes they will recognize in case they wander off and need to find you.
- Make sure you know where the exit for the restroom is, and that there is not more than one, so you can watch for them.
- Be aware of what your person is wearing so you can spot them in a crowd. “There may be a moment when you say, ‘She was right behind me. Where did she go?’”
- Consider noise-cancelling headsets or earbuds because the hecticness of the airport can be upsetting.
- Choose their best time for traveling rather than for the best ticket price.
- Bring preferred snacks because you might not know what will be available. Bring snacks for yourself as well because it may be difficult to leave the individual to obtain your food.
- Watch the “Traveling with Dementia” videos that are available at Teepasnow.com/resources/pac-videos-about-dementia.
TSA Cares, Too
Teepa Snow explained why airports can be confusing and frightening places for people with memory loss illnesses and offers tips for those traveling with them. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has also been stepping up its efforts to assist.
Over the years, AFA has worked with the TSA to train frontline personnel about dementia-related illnesses, identifying signs that someone may have a cognitive impairment, and ways to positively interact and communicate with individuals who have dementia. And last year, the TSA presented AFA with its Disability and Medical Conditions Community Award in recognition of those collaborative efforts.
TSA Tips for Travelers
- If you will be traveling by air, know the security procedures so you can familiarize your person beforehand about what will happen at the checkpoint. Go to tsa.gov/travel/securityscreening to learn more.
- Keep in mind, the TSA can assist with the screening process for certain dementia-related illnesses. For information, call the TSA Cares Helpline at 855-787-2227 or email at tsa-contactcenter@tsa.dhs.gov. Let the TSA know at least 72 hours in advance if you have safety concerns and special needs. You may request that a Passenger Support Specialist or Supervisory TSA Officer meet you at the checkpoint.
- Before making your trip, be sure travel is advisable by checking first with the person’s doctor. People in the early stages of dementia may still enjoy traveling, but as the disease progresses it could become overwhelming.
This article was adapted from a print version which appeared in AFA’s Alzheimer’s TODAY magazine.
