Travel and Transport

Travel and Wayfinding

The freedom to get outside and travel from one place to another is an important part of living a fulfilled life for many people. For people living with dementia, travel can become more difficult. Sensory challenges can contribute to this.

Visual challenges can make sign-posts, maps and information harder to follow. A decrease in peripheral vision can make navigation more challenging and increases the risk of falls. Disruption to depth perception can also provide a unique set of challenges. When walking down the street or crossing a road, the speed and direction of cars can be distorted. It can be difficult to judge if a car is moving towards or away.

An increased sensitivity to noise (hyperacusis) can make loud environments overwhelming and tiring. Hearing-loss can also create issues, as we also use our sense of hearing to navigate the world around us. The sense of smell can also become hypersensitive and some people find their perception of temperature is different.

All of these changes can make travelling to new or even familiar environments challenging. By understanding the ways in which sensory challenges can affect people living with dementia, more inclusive and sensorially-friendly spaces can be created.

'Not all who wander are lost'

J. R. R. Tolkein

Way-finding involves the ways in which someone navigates themselves within a place or space in order to travel from one place to another. As discussed, sensory challenges can make way-finding more difficult. Becoming overwhelmed by a sensorially stimulating environment may cause a person to avoid certain areas.

In the context of dementia, you may have heard the terms 'wandering' or 'walking off' to describe leaving the house or walking to somewhere unexpectedly. These terms are considered unsupportive and negative, as they suggest the person is walking with no purpose. The purpose may be clear to the individual, but unclear to their care partner. The term used by the Alzheimer's Society is 'walking about'. You can find more information about walking about, including tips for carers, by following this link.

To promote wellbeing, areas such as sensory gardens can be created in local communities. These can be spaces for people with dementia to enjoy time outside, whilst engaging their senses in a peaceful way.

Activity:

Note: do not try this whilst walking around or in a busy environment

To simulate the experience of living with a narrowed visual field you can use your hands to make 'binoculars' around your eyes.
Notice how much you have to move your head to look around a space.
Imagine how difficult it would be to cross a road or step onto a bus if your visual field was this narrow.
Imagine how much easier it would be to trip or bump into someone when out and about.

Transport and Sensory Challenges

Transport can prove a particular barrier to accessibility for people with dementia. Considering sensory challenges can impact the design of transportation vehicles and spaces such as bus or train stations. The busy patterns of seats used in transportation (e.g. buses and trains) can cause visual misperceptions which could increase the risk of falls or cause people with dementia to avoid travelling on public transport. Hand rails should be in warmer colours, such as red, yellow or orange, as they are easier to identify. See the Design section for more information about colours and contrast. Buses and trains with spoken announcements can help people to get off at the correct stop. This can particularly help people with visual challenges. However, announcements that are certain frequencies or overly loud can be distracting or alarming for people with heightened sensitivity to sound.

It has been reported that 1 in 4 disabled people say 'negative attitudes from other passengers prevent them from using public transport.' Increased public awareness of invisible disabilities, dementia and sensory challenges can make using public transport easier. The Alzheimer's Society has partners with the Department for Transport to create 4 ways that everyone can help people with dementia and other conditions whilst travelling.

'1 in 4 disabled people say negative attitudes from other passengers prevent them from using public transport.'

- Alzheimer's Society

4 ways that everyone can help people with dementia and other conditions whilst travelling

1. Be patient and take your time

Support people living with dementia and other conditions by allowing them some extra time, should they require it.
This could be while using ticket barriers, finding a seat or getting onto a bus.

2. Be considerate

Being aware of your fellow passengers can provide opportunities to be more considerate.
You could offer help if someone looks lost, or keep noise levels low if anyone looks visibly distressed.
People living with dementia could get confused whilst travelling, or might just need some quiet space to feel calmer.

3. Be prepared to give up the priority seat

Dementia is one of many disabilities that is not visible.
Please be aware of other passengers and be prepared to give up the priority seat to anyone who might need it.
When possible, keeping clear of priority areas can help people feel welcome on public transport.

4. Respect accessible toilet users

An accessible (disabled) toilet is not just a facility for wheelchair users.
Please respect the fact that not all disabilities are visible and you may not always be aware of someone’s accessibility needs.