By Laurie Sullivan
There are guidelines for travellers with obvious special needs: pregnant women, unaccompanied children, passengers in wheelchairs, and those needing oxygen.
However, there’s a glaring gap when it comes to the growing number of passengers with a less obvious condition – dementia.
Yet guidelines are needed urgently, according to the woman who is championing the cause.
“The effects of dementia can range from mild to severe, but it isn’t always easy to recognise,” dementia researcher, Dr Maria O'Reilly, said.
“Anecdotally, we know people with dementia have died while travelling. One woman who was unaccompanied on a flight to the USA simply walked out of the airport after she wasn’t collected only to be found dead several days later.
“There have also been incidents on cruise ships. Recently, a woman with dementia and her husband were put ashore at a port-of-call during a cruise because of disruptive behaviour.”
Surveys will help develop travel guidelines
Dr O'Reilly heads a national dementia research project focused on overseas travel at the Dementia Collaborative Research Centre: Carers and Consumers based at Queensland University of Technology.
The project team recently launched a two-way ‘conversation’ to find solutions to the challenges presented by the growing number of Australians travelling with dementia. It consists of two online surveys: one for those with dementia and their carers; the other for airport and airline personnel.
Within 18 months, Dr O’Reilly hopes to develop dementia guidelines that will not only help to avoid rare tragedies, but make air travel safe and trouble-free – for everyone.
More than 342,800 Australians are living with dementia, a figure set to rise dramatically as the population inexorably ages and more ‘baby boomers’ take to the skies and seas, Dr O’Reilly warned.
“We’re not just talking about frail older people with advanced dementia,” she said.
“People in the early stages of dementia function quite well most of the time. They may just need a bit of help in unusual or unfamiliar situations.
“Travel can be stressful for anyone who doesn’t know what to expect.”
Dementia can make for travel stress
People with dementia often have a lower tolerance to stress.
“Just getting through airport security can be stressful,” Dr O’Reilly said.
“Changes in cabin pressure, confined seating, and a sea of unfamiliar faces in the cabin can make flying quite overwhelming and may leave someone with dementia upset, disoriented and very agitated.
“Rather than stumble through, everyone needs to know what to expect and how to respond to ensure things go smoothly and safely – as for any passenger with special needs.”
A card advising of the condition carried in a wallet or purse was among the early suggestions with merit. It could be presented in situations where someone with dementia felt they needed extra help.
“I think it’s a really good idea,” Dr O’Reilly said.
“Not just for people with dementia but other conditions like autism or an intellectual disability where the person might have trouble communicating or understanding directions.
“The card could say ‘I have dementia and I might need your help’. It’s done in other countries for other conditions.”
Baby Boomers add to the dementia dilemma
A segregated ‘time out’ nook on planes could also be useful in any number of stressful scenarios, but Dr O’Reilly concedes it may not be economically feasible. However, more airports could follow the lead of Singapore’s Changi Airport by providing small rest areas for passengers needing a quiet place away from milling crowds.
Dementia is a disease of ageing and we live in an ageing society. While Younger Onset Dementia can strike those under 65, the chances of developing dementia increase dramatically over that age.
About 5% of 65-year-olds will have some degree of dementia, but the rate doubles every 5 years thereafter. Alzheimer’s disease is responsible for about 75% of dementia cases, according to Australian dementia statistics.
“The Baby Boomers represent a huge cohort of people who will live longer,” Dr O’Reilly said.
“With better diagnosis we will see more and more people with dementia: It’s going to be the number one cause of disability in coming years.
“But, the Baby Boomers and the generations after them will not be content to stay home. They will have a Bucket List of places to see and having dementia won’t hold them back.
“Everyone in travel needs to be prepared for that.”
Call Travelvax Australia’s telephone advisory service on 1300 360 164 (toll-free from landlines) for no-obligation, country-specific advice. You can also make an appointment at your nearest Travelvax clinic to obtain vaccinations, medication to prevent or treat illness, and accessories for your journey.