Dementia Support Line
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Hidden disabilities and dementia: Can a sunflower lanyard help me?
Sunflower lanyards have become a popular way for organisations to spot if someone has a non-visible disability, such as dementia. But are lanyards the best way to get support, and is there an element of risk for people with dementia? We explore this divisive topic.
What is a sunflower lanyard?
Many businesses and organisations are taking part in a sunflower lanyard scheme for non-visible disabilities.
In 2016, a UK airport first introduced green lanyards with a sunflower design. The intent was to discreetly signal to staff that the wearer (or someone with them) may need more time and support while travelling.
Now, there are supermarkets, railway stations and visitor attractions that are adopting the scheme.
Over one million lanyards have been provided to businesses, as well as directly to the general public. Sunflower wristbands, badges and T-shirts are also available.
How might sunflower lanyards help people with dementia?
At the airport
Heather Roberts, who has metabolic dementia, loves to travel with her husband, Dave.
She has had a positive experience of wearing the sunflower lanyard while at the airport.
‘We've had excellent experiences with the lanyard scheme when flying from Manchester and Birmingham.
'Through our travel company, we registered in advance with airports as having a hidden disability. On arrival at the airport, the sunflower lanyard was available to pick up from the assistance desk.
'I struggle in queues, so I was accompanied to the front of the check-in and security lines and helped through the process. This made life so much easier and less stressful.'
'Being allowed to pre-board means I am settled in my seat before the melee starts. Staff have also moved me to the front of the plane for some quiet space, all at no extra cost.
'Previously on our return journeys, we’ve had difficulties at passport control. Dave does not seem to be able to go through the electronic gates when I can. This means we get separated for quite some time while Dave joins a queue to have his passport manually checked.
'However, wearing the lanyard allowed us to go directly to the passport desks via the fast-track aisle. This meant we could stay together and get processed with no fuss. The border officers have always been very helpful when they see the lanyard.‘
Why do some people disagree with the sunflower lanyard scheme?
While many are benefitting from hidden disability lanyard schemes, some people are wary of potential risks, particularly in non-secure or unrestricted environments.
Here are a few reasons why wearing a lanyard may not be a solution for everyone:
1. People without lanyards may need support, too.
We don't want staff to only rely on looking for lanyards. People with hidden disabilities who aren't participating in the scheme - either because they are not aware of it, or do not want to wear one - might be affected by this.
A person shouldn't have to make their hidden disabilities visible to be supported. Customers should be supported on an individual basis and not grouped or labelled. Not everyone's support needs are the same.
2. This lanyard scheme isn’t widely enough known, yet.
A hidden disability lanyard scheme is only as good as people’s awareness.
For a scheme to be effective at airports, it would require knowledge and understanding from security staff, airline crew and the destination airport. It may also be helpful for other passengers to know what the lanyard represents.
3. Lanyards could create a safety issue.
People with dementia can sometimes face stigma and exploitation, which may put them at risk.
There is a danger of vulnerable adults or children becoming more identifiable when wearing a lanyard, badge or wristband. This is especially the case if unaccompanied or in public areas, which are not secure.
What does Alzheimer's Society think?
It's your decision whether you find the lanyard scheme useful. Many people with dementia really like their sunflower lanyard and find the scheme helpful.
It's also the choice of the person with dementia who they reveal their diagnosis to. Someone with dementia might not remember they have the condition.
If they have capacity to consent, a person with dementia should be able to weigh up the pros and cons of the scheme.
Alzheimer's Society wants businesses and organisations to help customers as individuals. We support more awareness and training about dementia and other complex conditions.
What do we encourage businesses and organisations to do?
If businesses are using the lanyards, we encourage them to become Dementia Friends. Our Dementia Friends initiative helps individuals and organisations to learn more about dementia and take action to support those affected by dementia in their community.
Alzheimer's Society also has specialist training courses for businesses and individuals, as well as sector-specific resources for organisations.
Businesses and organisations should make changes that will help people with dementia.
Under the Equality Act, organisations must make reasonable adjustments for both customers and employees. Therefore, processes and procedures should pick up when people need support, not self-identifying.
Organisational improvements could also include listening to customer feedback or changing environments.
The Department of Transport has committed to reviewing all identification schemes. This is to see whether a standard should be introduced to reduce confusion.
Free helpcards for people with dementia or memory problems
Our Helpcards are a discreet way for people with dementia to get assistance more easily when out in the community. One design is double-sided with space on the front for people to record what they might need help with and space on the back for an emergency contact. The fold-out cards can include extra information such as details about medical conditions. The cards are great for helping someone with dementia to maintain their independence while staying safe.
Janice Llewellyn
saysWe flew from Birmingham airport last August and my granddaughter got in touch with the airport before hand we were given the lanyard for my husband who has Alzheimer' s,the staff were so helpful . Our party of 7 were all taken to the gate by a very friendly man on a motorized cart. We are flying from there again in a few weeks and have no reservations this time.
Ann
saysLanyard worLdwide is a must
We flew to new York last year from Iceland with our 2 kids 12 & 15 & were split goin thro security cause my oldest was taken for search I had to go with him leaving my 12yr n my husband who has Alzhemiers to get to themselves downstairs to wait on us - it was very stressful for my 12yr old if a lanyard system had been put in place etc we’d have gone through all together
Kat sanders
saysMy bf has Dementia.live in USA so can't get one.but you can tell he has it for sure.he has frontlobal brain damage drinking bipolar dementia and blood clot brain right now.he only 55 prayers
Romary Wegerle.
saysAn excellent idea! I am not sure how this would take off in South Africa, as there are a number of misconceptions about Dementia. Being involved with the George Alzheimer Support Group in the Western Cape, I intend making this known to our members at our next monthly meeting. We have been successful in making more people in our city of George, and the surrounding towns, more aware of this hidden condition. It is certainly worthwhile investigating. Thank you for the information.
JAMES ( JIM ) IBELL
saysI USED MY SUNFLOWER LANYARD AT MANCHESTER AIRPORT ON THE 27 JANUARY WHAT A DIFFERENCE IT MADE THE STAFF WERE SO HELPFULL I WILL BE USING IT MORE OFTEN NOW
JOAN SQUIRES
saysMy argument has always been that if you see someone with a white walking stick you are instantly aware that he or she is visually impaired.
I have long wanted something like this that is immediately and indeed nationally recognizable for when I am out and about with my husband who has dementia. It is not that I want help or assistance, simply that if perhaps he suddenly decides to burst into song in the middle of the supermarket or starts behaving in what some may consider a strange manner then those around him will immediately be aware of the situation and hopefully understand and make allowances.
I don’t know if the lanyard is the answer but it is certainly a move in the right direction!
Michael Standing
saysWe don’t fly, where else can we get these from.
Leonard McNeill
saysMichael,
My question exactly. We live in Scotland. This system is absolutely news to me.
Hilary Rose Cupper
saysCan buy them in Sainsburys ask at customer services
Yvonne
saysSainsbury’s and Argos and M&S are all advertising them
Christine Gilliver
saysTesco have them as do Sainsbury’s and they are free
Martin Corrick
saysI'm 75 and have had Alzheimer's Disease for three years.
1: The usefulness of a HANDICAP INDICATOR depends on how EASILY and WIDELY it is SEEN and RECOGNISED.
2: But many indicators also INCREASE SOME RISKS BY INDICATING A VULNERABILITY, and don't offer any DEFENCE AGAINST ATTACK.
3: The WALKING STICK must be THE MOST WIDELY RECOGNISED MOBILITY AID IN THE WORLD. It automatically warns others that the user has a degree of handicap, and is very useful in travel terminals, shops or hospitals, and on steep slopes and uneven ground. FOLDING STICKS are useful for air travellers etc.
4: A STICK OF ANY COLOUR WILL DISCOURAGE THIEVES OR ATTACKERS, and help to keep them at a distance.
5: But a stick CAN BE GRABBED and USED AGAINST ITS OWNER, or DROPPED at inconvenient moments. It should have a thin LANYARD around the wrist, NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO TRAP THE USER if the stick is grabbed.
6: LANYARDS are widely used to signal handicaps but are also used for many other purposes, so may be confusing.
4: As far as I am aware, the use of DISTINCTIVE LANYARDS to INDICATE SPECIFIC CONDITIONS HAS NOT YET BEEN AGREED INTERNATIONALLY.
5: LANYARDS CAN PRESENT SIGNIFICANT RISKS TO USERS, since they offer EASY AND DISABLING HANDHOLDS TO ATTACKERS, and could become TRAPPED IN DOORS AND MOVING MACHINERY.
6: LANYARDS MUST HAVE A WEAK LINK (e.g. a plastic clip) to reduce the risk of trapping or harming the wearer.
7: PRETTY COLOURED LANYARDS sold by some supermarkets etc as indicators of indicators of handicap are NOT, as far as I know, RECOGNISED nationally or internationally. They are NOT MUCH MORE THAN MARKETING GIMMICKS.
8: In my view a lightweight folding STICK is the most convenient and useful indicator of a degree of health difficulty, and if coloured WHITE is also a worldwide indicator of POOR SIGHT. It is excellent for FENDING OFF UNDESIRABLES of many sorts, including dogs, pickpockets, salesmen, mobs of children and offensive hotel doormen.
Laurie
saysI think it’s an excellent idea!! We live in the U.S.. I wish we had this program here.
Have you thought of making this a global initiative?
Janet fishwick
saysMy 92 year old mother has stage 4 Alzheimer's. She is a stubborn and difficult woman who is in denial of her condition. She will not wear anything which could assist her in any accidental situation where she needed help eg.an alarm pendant or bracelet. She
loathes her walking stick and deliberately hides it , saying she has no use for it. Mother lives on her own and shuns company unless it is family. Her demise increases rapidly. The sunflower lanyard is an excellent way of highlighting dementia awareness. For my mother however, it would be a badge of dishonour. She puts on a good deceptive act when in company but reminders of her condition are strongly dismissed and disregarded.
RaggyK
saysSounds very similar to my own beloved mum, who will NOT wear around her neck and hence is forever looking for her key on which it is attached 😇
I only found out about these when picking up a parcel in Argos otherwise, I would of been non the wiser
Peter Jones
saysI think the lanyard is an excellent idea and is modern and trendy so Dementia people will it be put off wearing them
Lance Taylor
saysI think Peter meant to say that “Dementia people will NOT be put off wearing them”
Carol Hart
saysI am flying to Switzerland in May with my husband who has been diagnosed with mild dementia.
Is it possible to order a lanyard or bracelet in advance before we go.
My husband has great difficulty passing through security .
Thank you
Sonia Owen
saysI have one myself as l am visually impaired. It's been very helpful
Selena
saysI think this is an excellent idea. As of now I am being tested for MCI ( Mild Cognitive Impairment ). I’m 55 and scared.. I definitely like the idea. Not to mention how this article just showed up at a great time for me. I would definitely wear this. How do I go about getting one please? And Thank You for this information and article!! 😉
Tamsin Hudson
saysYou can buy one online at www.hiddendisabilitiesstore.com :)
Hilary
saysAm very sceptical as this also advertises the fact there is a vulnerable person here and think will be exploited by people who prey on the vulnerable
Dee
saysCompletely agree with this comment!
Bob Jones
saysI would not worry as there are always more people willing to help than there are scoundrels who are up to no good. I think the lanyard is a great idea and thank those who both provide them and those who adhere to the scheme. Between them they do an excellent job for people like me.
Bob aged 83.