Transport
In the run up to publication of my new book Carers and Caring; the One Stop Guide; how to care for older relatives and friends I am blogging on my website about the practical solutions learned from research and experience. If you think any problems have been missed you can email me and tell me, and I’ll make sure they are covered in the next edition and online on my website at www.juneandrews.net. T is for Transport, but there’s no mention here of D for Driving, or even R for Retiring from driving. We’ll get back to that on the second time round.
T is for Transport
Depending on where you live, you may be entitled to discounted travel on public transport when you accompany a person with disabilities. For example, if the person has a Disabled Persons Railcard, this qualifies you too as a carer for a discount when you travel with the person by train. When you are looking for carers’ travel and transport services, you can enter your postcode into the NHS service search and find out what is available near you. This links you to a list of services which takes some time to search. You might even find something you were not looking for. You may need a cup of tea for this job.
Check out the Disabled Persons Railcard
The rules about bus passes change from time to time and are different in each of the four parts of the UK, so check out the information on a website such as the Carers Trust . That website gives a date when it was revised, and you might also find this information on the website of your local council. Many of the services depend on whether the person you care for is registered as disabled. There is no single definition of disability in use in the UK. You can find out more about this at Citizens Advice, or find at Disability Rights UK.
This is another reason why getting a dementia diagnosis early is a good idea. In most places it will get you a Blue Badge.
Three hints:
1. Take the benefit of concessions for your age group
2. Check with your local council for variations
3. Best current information will be on charity or local authority websites
