Dementia Education In The Air

On a recent flight to a speaking engagement, a situation presented itself during takeoff that reminded me of how little the general public understands dementia.

The plane was delayed on the runway for de-icing and the captain of the flight told us that everyone must remain in their seats in order for us to quickly take off after the de-icing.

One gentleman kept getting up and starting to walk towards the back of the plane during our wait to take off.  Each time he did this, we lost our place in the take-off line.  The captain and the passengers were getting angry and passengers near this gentleman started yelling at him to sit down.  The more they yelled at him, the more he walked around.

Before boarding the plane, I happened to see this gentleman with his wife at the gate and already could see that he probably had dementia.  The passengers on the flight as well as the flight crew were dealing with this man as if he could understand and be reasoned with.  Interestingly, his wife was not sitting near him (a few rows back) and totally ignored the situation with him getting up to walk about.

Have you seen any situations like this?

Comments

[Kay Brewer]

I am just curious to know if you intervened and helped the guy out. My Dad broke his hip Christmas night. I stayed in a state of disbelief as he went through ER on into Rehab (a period of a month), at just how many in the medical field were either not informed or didn't wish to handle the dementia issue. There were times, that I chose not to stand back and keep my mouth shut.

[Sue]

Kay: You raise a good point. I was a bit far away but I could see what was happening. Finally, one of the flight attendants helped seat him after his wife told the folks near her that he had dementia. I felt frustrated because I was too removed to make a difference.

What you describe in the ER and in many medical settings is too common, unfortunately. We have to keep advocating for more education for everyone.

Thanks for sharing, Sue