Air Travel Tips
Personally, I’ve always loved the excitement of air travel. It’s the bustle of airports, the idea of a new destination, and of course, the tiny pretzels. But flying with someone who has dementia? Well, that’s a whole different adventure. It may not be quite as thrilling, but it is possible. After many journeys (and a few misadventures) flying with my husband, who has Alzheimer’s, I’ve gathered some hard won tips that I hope will make your travels smoother.
TSA PreCheck is 100% worth it just to keep your loved one’s shoes on.
Seriously. The time and stress involved in coaching my husband through taking off his shoes, tossing them into a plastic bin, and then wrestling them back on while juggling bags, belts, and loose change is exhausting. The $80 fee for TSA PreCheck is worth every penny for the simple joy of leaving those shoes right where they belong. If you are traveling with someone with dementia get the pre-check. Period.
If your airport has a special assistance security line…use it.
It took me a while to work up the courage to step into that special line. My husband doesn’t exactly “look” like he needs extra time. But, we do. Big time.
Going through security is hands-down the single most stressful part of travel for my husband with the rush, the barking commands…the body scanners. It's a lot.
Using the special assistance line gives us the time we need, and the staff is generally more patient. Usually only larger airports, like Atlanta, offer this option.
Board early and don’t overthink it.
When the gate agent calls for those who need extra time, go for it. This was another thing I had to work up the courage to use but now do so without a second thought. Boarding a plane in a throng of humanity was an additional stress point for my husband. Getting on early gives us time to find our seats, stow our carry-ons, and settle in before the mad rush for overhead storage.
Allow yourself more time than you think you need.
I have noticed, my husband cannot be rushed. If I try, he instantly picks up on my stress, and the whole situation can go sideways fast.
I’ve made peace with the fact that everything just takes longer. So I’ve learned to leave extra room in our schedule. If we need 30 minutes? I give us 60. My goal isn’t to move faster…it’s to move calmly.
Limit what your loved one carries.
To explain this one, let me first share that my husband has always been a backpack guy, probably a holdover from his infantry days carrying a ruck stuffed with everything he might ever need. Then dementia came along, and that backpack turned into a black hole swallowing everything from sunglasses to passports to snack bars. And digging through it at the airport? Agonizing. And remember…you can’t hurry someone with dementia. Now, I carry everything. He carries what fits in his pants pockets.
Never pass up a chance to use the restroom.
This one is simple. When I see a bathroom, we use it. Even if we just went. Even if we think we don’t need to. It is inevitable that my husband will need to use the restroom at the absolute worst time (think boarding the plane or stepping onto the train between terminals ) after having passed a million we could have used. So, now, we empty our bladders before we nature actually calls. And big shout out to all the airports which offer family bathrooms…it’s a total win.
Schedule your flight for earlier in the day.
Yes, the red eye may be cheaper, but you also may be inviting the sundowning version of your loved one on the trip. I try to schedule flights during the morning or early afternoon, when my husband is at his best. Too early can be rough too, so it’s a delicate balance but definitely one worth figuring out.
A Final Note
These days, with my husband in the more moderate-to-severe stages of his disease, we avoid flying unless absolutely necessary. He’s happier at home, surrounded by his dogs and familiar routines, and frankly, so am I.
Still, when we have to travel, I feel far more prepared and confident than I did in the beginning. Traveling with dementia isn’t easy, but it’s possible with a little patience, a lot of planning, and a good sense of humor.