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 Gloucestershire 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 Gloucestershire 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.

You can contact the Community Transport Team on 01452 425997 or email communitytransport@gloucestershire.gov.uk

Public Transport Concessions

Bus Passes

Residents of Gloucestershire who are of pensionable age, or residents who are disabled and/or cannot drive for medical reasons, are entitled to a concessionary (free) bus pass

Travel Concessions for Older and Disabled Residents

All travel passes are issued through Gloucestershire County Council; passes are valid from 9:30am to 11:00pm on weekdays, and unlimited on weekends and bank holidays. In some areas you will be able to travel before 9.30am - Search for Free travel before 9:30am

You can apply for, or renew, your older person's concessionary bus pass online or at most Gloucestershire libraries; disabled persons' bus passes can only be issued from libraries.

In addition, if as a qualifying disabled person you need assistance to travel, you may be eligible for a disabled with companion pass. This allows a companion travelling with you to also travel free. If you think you qualify for a 'disabled with companion' pass please tell the library staff when you apply. You will need the following to obtain a pass:

• Valid Blue badge
• Statement of eligibility for Disability Living Allowance with higher rate mobility component
• War pension (Mobility supplement)
• Letter from doctor or other medical specialist stamped on official paper stating the nature of your disability

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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