Is it safe to travel with dementia this holiday?

Airports Educate Staff On How To Be Senior-Friendly

London’s Heathrow Airport committed to training its 76,000-strong workforce to build their understanding of dementia and other disabilities to travelers. “Their goal is to create a more calm and comfortable environment for any passengers living with the disease.

Security, with its long lines and metal detectors, can be one of the likeliest places to trigger anxiety and frustration for passengers with dementia. Shannon Airport-EZF is now examining how security personnel can carry out their job without adding unnecessary stress.”

The Lanyard System and Quiet Rooms
Gatwick Airport (south of London) implemented a similar training campaign.  They’ve offered passengers the option of wearing hidden disability lanyards. “voluntary program allows passengers to indicate discretely that they might require additional assistance.

The lanyards are recognizable to staff without any logos or other information, so passengers maintain a sense of privacy. It can also be removed, so caretakers and travelers can choose to only display it when they feel a situation might become especially challenging.”

“If lanyards aren’t suitable, badges, bracelets and pins are also available. These accessories indicate that the wearer might:

• Need more time to process information
• Need to remain with family
• Need staff to use clear verbal language as it may be difficult to understand facial expressions and/or body language
• Need staff to be visual with instructions
• Need a more comprehensive briefing on what to expect as they travel through the airport
• React to sensory overload

The bustle of airports can also cause passengers living with dementia to become overstimulated. Shannon Airport-EZF plans to create designated “quiet areas” and rooms so passengers can recover from the confusion and stress of the airport there.”

Navigating the Airport with Dementia Travelers
The trend toward dementia and senior-friendly airports will hopefully spread to North America soon, but regardless, it pays to keep the following travel tips in mind when traveling with someone is living with dementia:

• Arrive early and avoid the unnecessary stress of rushing
• Go through security behind your companion, so you will be on hand to assist them
• Have your companion carry a copy of your name and phone number in case you get separated
• Speak with airport staff — be clear about the situation, and the capabilities of your loved one
• Seek out a quiet place — if the airport does not have a designated quiet space, a prayer room can also give you time and space to calm down
• Travel light — taking less luggage allows you to easily keep within touching distance

Dementia does not have to stop someone from traveling. Even if an airport has not fully adopted dementia-friendly practices, we can learn from the ones that have and take steps to ensure the well-being of our loved ones living with dementia.
 
Souce: https://www.aplaceformom.com/blog/senior-friendly-airports
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