Lessons Learned from Traveling with Dementia

As we approach the gate area for our flight, Tracey turns to me anxiously . “You’ll go up and tell them, right?” So, I sidle up to the desk and murmur to the agent, “My companion has dementia. May we board with the early group?” They are always accommodating, and they aren’t supposed to ask, but it makes us both feel better to state ahead of time why two apparently healthy women need to pre-board. Forgive me. I used to look at the pre-boarding people and scan for frauds who just want to make sure their carry-on luggage gets into