Anyone fly with someone with advanced Dementia?

If you are going to attempt this you need the two D's: Diapers and Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for the flight.

lovingmydad, from the replies to other Questions about FLYING I remember majority of them wished they never took the trip. Thus, I agree with your Dad's doctor, she is right, the trip isn't a good idea. Your Dad could become frighten and not board the plane... or you could get to the vacation home and your Dad would immediately want to go home. I hope that isn't the case, but it could happen. Please read all the replies to the other writers when they shared their experiences with an advanced dementia traveler.

Thank you so much for all the reply's! Very helpful. I am a flight attendant and my dad has Dementia. He has only traveled a few times but I really want him to join me in Florida.We all need a vacation, this last year he has gone from mild to advanced within 6 months! He is only 65, great shape but just so out of it! Was driving in June 2014 and living alone. Stopped cooking, making coffee, bathing and clothing himself all within three months. Now lives with my mom as of December. I cared for him for a year with two small children and then my mom asked to give it a try(long story behind that, but my mom is an angel)! My husband and two children are coming with us. We rented a four bedroom house and thought this would be great for my dad to get out of cold Michigan for a week. I know change of environment might not be great but his schedule will remain the same everyday....you only live once! I want my dad to enjoy his life and family. My mom cares for him daily now....and she will be flying with us too. I did talk to his doctor and she thinks it won't be fun for him or me! Well I guess I won't know until we go to see how it works out! While we are there, my husband and I will travel with kids, and my mom will stay by the Shaded Pool with my dad! Wish me luck!

lovingmydad, go to the top right of this page to "Search Site" and typing in FLYING. Others have asked this same question about flying, lot of advice given pro and con.

I've flown many times with MIL and, while he was still alive, FIL. Both with dementia and mobility problems. My advice, take someone to help you with bathroom breaks. Family bathrooms are sometimes available but not always. Take advantage of the porter and a wheelchair (even if it's not necessarily needed) to help you get through security faster. Don't forget to tip him. Having someone else to help with baggage is a plus too. A two hour flight won't be bad, no layover. Layovers are horrible and to be avoided at any cost. Staying in a motel is always hard, and getting a handicapped room is a crapshoot. So many variations. We need wheelchair accessible and some of them are so tiny.

Depending on what you do when you get to Florida, I think the plane ride will be ok, for just 2 hours. Of course you have to get to the airport early and be sure to take advantage of priority boarding. Buy some snacks and water once you're through security to take on the plane. Have Fun! I'm going to Florida too, next month, but we're driving.

My husband and I flew several times during his 10 year journey with dementia. No problems whatsoever. But in his final year, I arranged for someone to drive us the 5 hours to get to our destination for a cruise, and also has someone along on the cruise to help me with him. It all worked out, but I am sure glad I had help.

Is this trip a vacation or a family reunion or a relocation, or what? Has he enjoyed flying in the past? What are his "advanced" symptoms? It is so hard to predict dementia behavior, isn't it? Have you discussed this with his doctor?

We had moved our grandmother from IL. to AZ. when she was no longer able to care for herself. The move was awful for her and her mind became worse, because of the lack of familiar surroundings. Her elderly son had to fly her back to IL., first class (so that she wasn't quite so closed in) but she was yelling about her check book, the entire flight. We would never move a relative that far, again.