Waiting in an airport takes time and the flight is 3 hours. I know an accident will happen but have no idea how we could clean up on an airplane? Obviously she wears depends but those don't work very well with bowel incontinence. They leak. Plus there is the factor of her fellow passengers. Anyway to make this work? Are there any medications that would help?
Is there any way you can avoid this flight?
I don't know if something like Immodium or codeine prophylactically might help, but DO NOT do this without first seeking medical approval.
That said, why is this flight necessary?
Can Amtrak get you there? Yes, it might take a few days by train, each way, to get her to where she's going? Long distance Amtrak have sleeper cars, with rooms / roomettes. Even though these are small, you'll have a bathroom and a place to care for your mother. She'll be able to get up and move around. She'll be able to look out the window and watch the world go by. She'll sleep in a real bed. She won't have to deal with fairly abrupt changes in altitude. Let Amtrak know about her when you book her travel. Also, the train isn't so stressful.
Have you thought about taking your mom to where she's going by car? I can understand why you want to fly (faster, cheaper). However, you have to think about your mother's needs as well as the needs of others. With a car, you are in control of how far you drive, when you stop for a break, what you visit along the way, etc. Your mom won't become a major inconvenience / flash point for others.
IMHO, I think it would be very wrong and rude for you to fly your mother. If it is at all possible to get her to where she needs to be using ground (but not bus) transportation, do it.
I can tell you, if I was a passenger or flight attendant and you sent an elder with dementia and known bowel incontinence on a plane trip -- I"d be livid. Frankly, I'd consider it irresponsible unless all other options have been exhausted.
I'm suspecting that the plane fare for you is less expensive then a car/train -- but please, consider others and the difficult trip this will be for your loved one.
The only way this will work is with lots of diapers, pads, underpads and Chux, not to mention Ziploc bags for disposal. People take babies on planes all the time. Hopefully she’d be able to travel first class. Hopefully she will have called the airline previously to make sure she’s bringing what she can.
Let’s just cross our fingers for her and wish her well and not assume the worst as to why she’s doing this. Nothing about caregiving is easy. We all sure know that.
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