My mom has mild dementia and wants see her dying brother. I am traveling with her, any tips for our flight?

If someone can fly first class and especially if one's legs can be extended fully we always recommend flying because one spends fewer hours in transit which means less time for one to develop medical problems. FYI. in the medical motor coach the bathroom is 6 to 10 feet from the hospital bed. Coaches always stop when someone needs to move to a couch or go to the bathroom. The risk of falling is too great not to stop. Plus the nurse is right next to the patient and is there to assist the patient when transferring. The advantage most people like about the medical coach is the privacy it offers especially if someone has a drainage tube or requires suctioning etc.Going by coach gets rid of many of the hassles of flying. No crowds. No lines. No waiting. The coach comes to your home or facility and is waiting on you. The driving team loads your luggage and helps you board the coach. They wait on you. One more point, patients feel more comfortable in a motor coach because itis more like riding in a living room. It is less frightening and less confusing than dealing with crowds and tight quarters.
Despite the advantages we still recommend flying whenever possible. It's just quicker. Try to fly non-stop if at all possible and avoid the cramped commuter jets.

Here is some more information about flying with elders that is current. https://www.agingcare.com/questions/should-mom-attend-an-outdoor-wedding-in-austin-texas-170329.htm

Good suggestions, thanks Coleen for the comment about drugs being problematic because I've been thinking about that as a possibility, and also for your idea about a typed note to the attendants. Excellent idea. And coleen and anonymous13319, first class does seem the way we'll have to go.

I thought about the medical motor coach idea Transport Doc, but with mobility being limited, I think it would create anxiety re: getting to the bathroom. I had problems on the train with that as balance was impeded by the motion.

Thanks all for the discussion and good ideas.

An alternative to flying might be traveling in a medical motor coach. It's not cheap but the MED Transport Center provides a nurse and two professional drivers to accompany you cross country. The medical coach is fully equipped with oxygen etc and has a hospital bed plus a private bathroom. Pretty comfy for long distance trips.

I am also forced to fly a fair bit to visit elderly mothers. My husband with Alzheimers finds this disruptive. We fly First Class and I type out a note explaining his situation to flight attendants. They have told me they find this helpful and are extra-attentive. I have an i-pod with my husband's favourite music on because he can't watch TV. I take several changes of clothing, baby-wipes, disposable latex gloves and a plastic bag because sometimes clothes are soiled so badly I have no option but to throw them away. I have found that giving him sedatives only makes him drowsy and more confused. He then becomes unmanageable so I don't give him any medication now.
Good luck with the trip. I'm sure it will be fine because your mom-in-law only has mild dementia. I wouldn't advise anyone to travel once the dementia gets worse. My travelling days are coming to an end and I don't know what's going to happen once I can no longer visit the elderly mothers but I have to take care of my husband first.

I traveled with my Mom cross country when she moved out here. She has limited mobility and has a hard time sitting for a long period.
If you can, I would highly recommend flying first class. Two seats are next to each other, are wider, and more comfortable. I request the seats behind the "bulkhead" because there are no seats in front of us, more leg room, and closer to the restrooms. The flight attendants are more attentive to you when you fly first class.
When you book your flight, ask for a wheel chair to be available at check in and when you land. The airline staff have been so good about that when we travel. Also, if your Mom has dietary restrictions, look to see what is available online. If you need to bring special foods and snacks, bring those as well.
I also bring a change of clothes, just in case of accidents. I make sure Mom goes to the restroom before getting on the plane.
I bring a list of medications and her doctors' phone numbers.
good luck