Air Travel Connections: creating a hub of collaborators to enhance flight experiences for People with Dementia and their Companions

Dementia is a global challenge with people needing and wanting to travel on domestic and international flights. Evidence suggests that engaging in air travel can be a varied experience for people with dementia and their companions. There are particular points in the journey from home, through airports and inflight that can prove challenging. While some improvements have been made to support travellers, there has been limited research developed to tackle transport barriers for those living with dementia. The Prime Minister’s Dementia Challenge Group for Air Transport, based in the United Kingdom (UK) highlighted the urgent need to raise issues associated with air travel that was debated in the House of Commons. Group members include people living with dementia and carers who have been able to help others affected by dementia to claim what is theirs by right. Other collaborators include academics, healthcare professionals, researchers, aviation industry representatives, aviation regulators, mental capacity law experts and those involved with policy development. This presentation will outline the work undertaken to date by group members that seeks to promote dementia friendly societies. It will also set out how the group has been a key to helping the UK’s air transport regulator, the UK Civil Aviation Authority, develop and implement guidelines for airports and airlines on providing better support to people living with dementia. The focus will be on identifying issues, sharing practical solutions and strategies that have been successful in bringing key stakeholders to collaborate on this important area. Information and resources will be shared in order to assist others interested in informing guidance and policies across Europe and further afield. Future plans for the Prime Minister’s Dementia Challenge Group for Air Transport will be presented, with opportunities to widen the collaboration hub offered to take this work forward at a global level.