Getting About

Getting Out and About

Living with dementia can bring a variety of challenges when it comes to getting out and about. This page deals with practical issues such as driving, community transport services, mobility, and disabled parking and toilets. However, if the challenge you face is actually having the chance to go out, please see our Getting a Break section.

Driving

Being given a diagnosis of dementia does not automatically exclude you from driving, however there is a legal obligation to inform the DVLA of the diagnosis. The car insurance company must also be informed immediately.

Our Driving and Dementia page has more detailed information.

Blue Badge Scheme

This is managed by Warwickshire County Council. A disabled person can apply for a badge so that you can park in the special disabled parking spaces. Disabled people displaying the Blue Badge (used to be orange badge) may park for free in any of the on-street parking spaces, but standard charges will apply in the off-street car parks.

Community Transport

Within Warwickshire there are several schemes offering community transport to help people access suitable transport. Not only can they provide adapted transport but the drivers are able to offer help to passengers who have mobility issues and may need extra support in using the transport. These schemes can support you by

• providing shopping trips into the local town,
• providing transport for visiting your opticians, doctors etc.,
• providing wheelchair accessible transport,
• providing rural links into towns.

Most accessible transport needs to be booked in advance so some planning is required. There may be charges for transport.

Accessible Changing Facilities

If you go out and about with your cared for person it can sometimes be useful to know of purpose built facilities where you can change an adult's clothing or assist them when using the lavatory. In Warwickshire there are two such places, hopefully with more on the way! They have specialist equipment for lifting and plenty of space for both of you. The Changing Places Consortium is a group of organisations working to support the rights of people with disabilities to access their community.

Public Transport Concessions

Bus Travel

Your council offers free bus travel to certain people ie. people who live in Warwickshire, those of the agreed age or have a qualifying disability.

Each local council scheme may differ in its provision.

National Organisations

The Disabled Drivers Association

Information and problem solving service, including advice on equipment, law, benefits, driving assessment, vehicle and adaptation choices. Quarterly publication for members, detailing campaigns, concessions and activities.

Door to Door: a travel guide for disabled people

Door to Door has been developed to give disabled people information about transport and advice about travelling using all forms of transport.

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