On 13 May, the Irish Dementia Working Group (IDWG), supported by The Alzheimer Society of Ireland and Dementia: Understand Together in Communities, hosted a Transport Symposium – "How Was Your Journey Today?" IDWG members know that being able to travel can be a key factor in helping people with dementia retain their independence and stay connected and engaged in their communities. As COVID -19 restrictions lift and people living with dementia return to travel, there is heightened anxiety within a changed travel landscape. This timely event fostered understanding among providers of the unique challenges faced by people living with dementia and offered solutions support them to take meaningful action.
Speakers included: people living with dementia Kevin Quaid (who also chaired the event), Sean Mackell and Marguerite Keating; dementia travel expert Andy Hyde of Go Upstream; and representatives of the National Transport Authority and Irish Rail. The symposium also heard from researcher Cathal Blake, whom the IDWG had commissioned to undertake research on the lived experience of people living with dementia using public transport.
Fiona Foley, National Co-ordinator of Dementia Understand Together in Communities, outlined the collaboration and work that the IDWG, Understand Together team and transport providers have undertaken to increase awareness and understanding of dementia, including training and workshops. Commenting on this, Kevin Quaid, who is also a member of the European Working Group of People with Dementia (EWGPWD), said ‘‘disabilities can be invisible, and knowing a staff member understands that when I travel makes all the difference!” The group was delighted that representatives from all public transport providers in Ireland attended the event.
