Fake bus stop at care home

Located in the secure courtyard of Blanefield House, the idea behind the bus stop is to help residents who suffer from dementia that have become disorientated, believing they had to go home, to work or go see their family.

With the support of the local Strathclyde transport partnership, two bus stops have been installed for free in the care home grounds and staff say they are proving to be very beneficial.

Miss Poddar, director of Blanefield Care Ltd, said: “The mock bus stop concept was first trialed and used in Dusseldorf, Germany, following research into dementia. The number of residents in our homes with dementia is gradually increasing. The mock bus stop has given our residents a secure and genuine concept within the grounds of their own care home.”

Mrs Armstrong, care home manager, said: “The pretend bus stop allows our residents with dementia who suffer from short term memory loss a place of safety. Residents living with dementia can become disorientated but due to their active long term memory they know that the blue bus stop means it’s a way for them to get from A to B. During times of confusion, residents are able to wait at the bus stop in the security of their own care home. It’s a fantastic and safe service to provide and we are so pleased with the positive outcome it has for our residents.”