Trinity researchers highlight need for dementia-friendly travel environments

Posted on: 13 February 2025

Researchers from the School of Medicine and Global Brain Health Institute have examined the challenges and opportunities of making travel more dementia friendly.  Currently there are over 64,000 people living with dementia (PLwD) in Ireland and global numbers are projected to rise to 139 million people worldwide living with dementia by 2050.   While travel offers cognitive, psychological, and social benefits, it also presents unique challenges due to the cognitive demands of navigating dynamic environments like airports, train stations, and public transport hubs.

The team’s commentary is published in the prestigious journal Age and Ageing and highlights the need for inclusive and accessible travel for PLwD. The piece advocates for dementia-friendly travel initiatives, emphasising person-centred approaches, stakeholder engagement and collaboration, and policy integration to create a more accessible world for PLwD.

Researchers reviewed the neurological demands of travel, the gaps in existing travel infrastructure, and the importance of dementia-inclusive initiatives. While physical disabilities are increasingly accounted for in travel settings, cognitive impairments remain largely overlooked. Researchers argue that there is need to address this gap by promoting dementia-friendly travel environments that consider cognitive limitations, provide appropriate support, and enhance accessibility.

Key points

• Travel provides physical, psychological, cognitive and social benefits for older people and PLwD. 
• Travelling and navigating travel hubs imposes a significant cognitive demand that can be challenging for PLwD. 
• The initiative to create dementia-friendly travel environments offers an opportunity to create more accessible and inclusive experiences. 
• This would Involve multiple stakeholders which is crucial for addressing this growing need. 

Principal author, Dr Sara Solis, Research Fellow, Medical Gerontology, School of Medicine, said:

“As global populations age, ensuring that travel remains accessible to everyone—including those living with dementia—is not just about convenience, but a meaningful step toward inclusion and dignity. Travel enriches lives, fosters connection, and supports cognitive well-being. By creating dementia-friendly travel environments, we not only make a difference for individuals and their families but also contribute to a more compassionate and inclusive world.”

Professor Roman Romero-Ortuno, Discipline of Medical Gerontology, School of Medicine and Faculty at the Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Dublin, said:

"I am delighted that the importance of dementia inclusion in travel policies is being highlighted by our multidisciplinary team from the Global Brain Health Institute in this prestigious journal. It is crucial to foster multisectoral conversations in this area to drive meaningful change."

READ: You can read the full commentary: Creating dementia-friendly travel: enhancing accessibility and inclusion here: https://oxford.ly/4gTwab7

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