People with dementia may experience difficulties taking public transit, but even if it’s a very familiar route they’ve been taking for a long time.
Click on the blue circle with the star to learn about where you might see early signs of dementia in this space.
Routes
Getting confused with time or place / memory loss that disrupts daily life
Memory problems and dementia make it more difficult for a person to plan their route using a map.
Tip: If you know someone living with dementia, try to learn their bus route. Using reminders can be helpful. If you notice someone who is confused while looking at a map, ask if you can help them.
Getting Lost
Getting confused with time or place
People with memory problems and dementia may experience confusion. They may become lost in a familiar place. They may become confused about transit vehicle numbers and street names, even if it is a route they are familiar with.
Tip: If you notice someone looks confused, ask them where they are going and help them figure out if they are on the right bus. Ask the bus driver for assistance and suggest the person sit in the front seats.
Getting on the Bus
Harder to do familiar tasks
A person with dementia or memory problems may have difficulty getting on the right bus or getting off at the correct stop. They may also have trouble using the stairs of a bus or at a bus station.
Tip: If you see someone who looks confused or has trouble with the stairs, offer your arm to help them. Keep in mind that some people may not want help, and that is okay.
Time
Getting Confused with time and place
Some people with memory problems or dementia struggle with telling time. They may also not know who time passes. this can make traveling more difficult.
Tip: if you notice someone unsure of the time or place, try to aid them by letting them know subtly and friendly where they are and the time of day it is are the date.
Getting confused with time or place
People with memory problems and dementia may experience confusion. They may become lost in a familiar place. They may become confused about transit vehicle numbers and street names, even if it is a route they are familiar with.
Tip: If you notice someone looks confused, ask them where they are going and help them figure out if they are on the right bus. Ask the bus driver for assistance and suggest the person sit in the front seats.
Getting confused with time or place / memory loss that disrupts daily life
Memory problems and dementia make it more difficult for a person to plan their route using a map.
Tip: If you know someone living with dementia, try to learn their bus route. Using reminders can be helpful. If you notice someone who is confused while looking at a map, ask if you can help them.
Getting Confused with time and place
Some people with memory problems or dementia struggle with telling time. They may also not know when time passes. This can make traveling more difficult.
Tip: if you notice someone unsure of the time or place, help by letting them know politely where they are and the time of day it is or the date.
Harder to do familiar tasks
A person with dementia or memory problems may have difficulty getting on the right bus or getting off at the correct stop. They may also have trouble using the stairs of a bus or at a bus station.
Tip: If you see someone who looks confused or has trouble with the stairs, offer your arm to help them. Keep in mind that some people may not want help, and that is okay.
Potentially harsh environment
A person with dementia may be more sensitive to light. The lighting in office spaces tends to be very bright. This could make it difficult for people with dementia or memory problems to feel comfortable.
Tip: Work with the individual to explore the options for different lighting.
