Introduction
Public transport is often heralded as an affordable and eco-friendly option, providing mobility and freedom for people across the UK. However, for people like me living with dementia, using public transport can present significant challenges. Dementia affects memory, thinking, and reasoning skills, making navigating buses, trains, and other public transportation more complicated. This blog explores some of the unique difficulties faced by people living with dementia when travelling by public transport, and I'll highlight some of the potential solutions that I believe might make these journeys more accessible and safer.
Complexity of Routes and Schedules
Understanding and navigating complex public transport routes can be daunting for anyone, but for us people with dementia, it can feel overwhelming. Dementia affects our short-term memory, making remembering route numbers, stops, or even the destination difficult. Frequent changes in bus schedules, delays, or detours can increase our confusion, and for some of us, missing a stop can even feel like getting lost in a maze.
Solution: Clear and consistent signage at stops and stations, including easy-to-read maps and information boards, can help. Digital displays indicating the next stops and loudspeaker announcements on trains and buses are invaluable in offering reassurance to travellers with memory challenges.
Anxiety in Crowded or Noisy Environments
The sensory overload caused by crowded or noisy environments is a significant challenge for those of us with dementia. Busy transport hubs such as train stations and bus depots can create feelings of anxiety, confusion, and even fear. Loud announcements, rushing crowds, and the overall hustle and bustle can become overwhelming, leading to disorientation or panic.
Solution: Providing designated quiet zones or "calm corners" in large stations could offer a welcome space for people feeling overwhelmed. Quiet hours or designated staff trained to assist travellers with dementia could also reduce anxiety levels during journeys.
Difficulty in Communicating with Drivers and Staff
Dementia can impact our speech, language processing, and understanding, making communicating our needs to bus drivers or station staff harder. In an emergency or moment of confusion, this lack of communication can create a barrier to getting the necessary assistance, leaving travellers with dementia feeling stranded.
Solution: Transport staff trained to recognise signs of dementia and communicate calmly and clearly can be immensely helpful. Providing identification cards for individuals with dementia, which we can present to staff, may also offer a discreet way to signal that we may need additional support. I wear a large badge that says "PLEASE BE PATIENT, I HAVE DEMENTIA" when I'm out and about, but I know that's not everyone's cup of tea.
Risk of Getting Lost or Disoriented
Getting lost is one of the greatest fears of many people like me who are living with dementia. As our memory and orientation skills decline, we may have difficulty recognising familiar routes, identifying landmarks, or even remembering our destination. This disorientation can lead to us taking the wrong bus, getting off at the wrong stop, or, in severe cases, wandering away from stations or stops altogether.
Solution: Implementing GPS-enabled devices or phone applications that allow our families to monitor our whereabouts can add an extra layer of safety. Many dementia charities offer wearable GPS trackers designed for people with dementia, which can alert caregivers if a person wanders off-route.
I use a smartphone app called Life 360, which pinpoints my exact location for my carer, giving her the peace of mind and confidence that I am progressing OK. It also allows her to send me a message to check my well-being if required.
Inaccessible Infrastructure
While the UK has made strides in making public transport more accessible, there are still areas for improvement. People with dementia often struggle with stairs, complicated ticket machines, or signage that is confusing or poorly placed. Also, stops requiring long walks or lacking clear, barrier-free access points can discourage us from even attempting to use public transport.
Solution: Improving accessibility with more dementia-friendly design, such as more straightforward ticket machines, clear signage, and designated assistance points, can make the experience smoother. Larger print signs, symbols, or colour-coding could also improve navigation for people with cognitive difficulties. Also, greater use of #What3words geolocation as a standard would enable pinpoint accuracy when providing directions.
Lack of Awareness Among Other Travellers
In many cases, fellow passengers may not recognise that someone has dementia, especially if they appear physically healthy. Unintentional misunderstandings, such as impatience if the person is moving slowly or asking repeated questions, can increase anxiety for the person with dementia and potentially lead to negative experiences.
Solution: Raising awareness of dementia in society and providing general education on how to offer respectful assistance to vulnerable travellers could encourage a more empathetic public transport environment. Awareness campaigns can also reduce stigma and make individuals with dementia feel more confident while using public transport. And that's another reason why I wear my badge when I'm out and about.
Memory Problems with Payment Methods
Navigating payment methods, especially with the move towards cashless systems, can be challenging. Remembering how to use contactless cards, knowing which card to present, or even keeping track of travel cards can cause stress and confusion. This can lead to situations where people may forget to pay, feel unsure about payments, or have difficulty retrieving the right card from a wallet.
On a recent train journey, I proudly brandished the "ticket" I had carefully selected and made ready to the Inspector, only to be told that it was, in fact, only the seat reservation card. On inspection, I realised that the seat reservation card was identical in colour, size and almost every other respect to an actual train ticket!
Solution: Implementing simpler, dementia-friendly payment options that do not require complex interactions with machines or memory-dependent actions would help. Offering prepaid cards with easy tap-and-go features or allowing caretakers to load credit remotely onto a card and clearly marked, easily identified tickets might alleviate some of these difficulties.
What Steps Can Be Taken?
The good news is that with small, thoughtful changes, public transport can become more accessible and dementia-friendly. Some helpful steps include:
Training staff to recognise and assist travellers with dementia.
Enhanced accessibility with better signage, seating, and quiet spaces.
Wearable GPS devices to help individuals navigate and to reassure their caregivers.
Community awareness campaigns to foster a culture of patience and support for those with dementia.
Simplified, contactless payment methods tailored to reduce the strain on memory.
Conclusion
Public transport is more than just a means of getting from point A to point B; it is a bridge to independence and community engagement for those with dementia. Addressing these challenges, with both empathy and proactive solutions, can make a world of difference for individuals living with dementia, allowing them to feel safer and more included as they navigate public transport in the UK. By fostering a supportive and understanding transport environment, we can empower people with dementia to maintain a sense of freedom and dignity, even in the face of their daily challenges.
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