OAP on hol in oz and diagnosed with dementia

[Chippychop]

My dm's friend has been on hol in oz visiting her dd whilst there she has been diagnosed with dementia. (Details are all a bit blurry but she was ok before she went) however the dd has had enough and is planning on dumping her on the flight and letting her travel back to the uk unassisted. I don't know if she has been declared fit for travel but surely the dd has a duty to let the airline know? What happens if mums friend has a funny turn? We're all worried but don't know enough to do anything. Any advice???

She probably wasn't OK when she went: dementia isn't a rapid onset condition. And there is probably something to be said for getting her back home, and into the system here for long-term care and support.

As you say, you don't know enough to do anything; and this lack knowledge may extend to the DD's motivation and level of care.

I agree, she either wasn't ok when she went but coped better in her own environment or she has had some kind of event whilst there which has caused similar type symtoms, dementia does not start suddenly.
She may have for example had a stroke, or a toxic confusional state due to an infection. This would need to be checked out.
Sticking her on a plane unattended would be IMO a very bad idea and could have all sorts of results from severe distress for the lady in question to invalidation of insurance and huge financial costs. What if they have to delay or land elsewhere because of her??

She had a heart attack last summer which left her blind in one eye.just before she left she had her driving license revoked (a major lifeline for her) . Not long after she arrived in oz daughter discovered a nasty hole in the back of her leg and she was told she had that skin disease (name has slipped my mind...) v common bacterial infection but once in hospital her Obs were ok ( I spoke to nurse myself) afterwards she was diagnosed with dementia. Still v worried at how she is going to get back to the uk ok... As you say it will be stressful. Poor woman.

did she take out travel insurance before she went? If so is it worth investigating whether this covers the cost of repaturation (is that the correct word?) - ie they might send a medical person with her on plane?

Airlines offer support to older travellers in the same way as they do for children I think.

My MIL used to use this for short flights, one son dropped her at the airport, she would be taken by wheelchair through security etc to plane, then it happened in reverse at other end for another son to meet her.

Not sure if this would work for such a long flight but might be worth enquiring.

same thing as silas describes happened to my mother and partner a few times. not sure they would apply this to dementia though as this could cause issues on flight (in much the same way they won't allow very pregnant women on). Didn't work so well the time they were left in the wrong departing lounge though and missed their flight!

Yes they do Silas. You can get help to get on the plane and for the transfer and to get off, find your cases etc. you can get a wheelchair right from check in or one of those cart things.

You have to book it all in advance but as far as I know it's free.

She can get assistance through the airport both sides and from the crew while on board. I'm sure the daughter isn't just going to dump her at the airport - mum probably wants to get back home too.

I think the whole affair has put the wind up them both. I hope they say goodbye on good terms and mums friend comes home safely. I'll update on her rtn

Oh dear - same thing happened to my DF while on hol visiting DB. Turned out he had peritonitis which presented as, er, complete lunacy.

I would speak to the DM's airline and see what they can do, given the DD prob can't pay for return flight from Oz. Also, it depends what kind of a state the DM mum is in - could she be sedated or calmed for the journey itself? I say see a doc too.