Dementia Support Line
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.
Sharlee
saysI’ve seen mention of the sunflower on social media but nothing about where it has come from and what it means. I was a bit bemused but I haven’t googled it yet.
I guess the AS are concerned about this new flower eclipsing the forget-me-not?
Iona
saysNever heard of this scheme before. Now I have to try and get one! I don't know if it would be enough to tempt us back to trying an airport...but I'd love to think it might just be enough.
Sheila Rawlings
saysLast year I flew twice from Gatwick South Terminal with Thomas Cook wearing my Lanyard - All staff (Airport & T.C.) were brilliant and asked if I wanted any assistance or help. The return airport staff (Paphos) were as helpful.
Recently flew with TUI from Gatwick North Terminal. I was wearing a Lanyard and had booked 'Assistance'. TUI staff obviously had no idea what the Lanyard was, and when I asked TUI staff where the 'Assistance' desk was, I just received a shrug of the shoulders and they walked away. Last time I fly with TUI
Maggie
saysMy caree and I happily each wear a badge I designed that states "we are living with dementia- please be patient" we have never felt vulnerable and it has given him back a degree of independence and a certain amount of confidence he was losing. He now happily goes in to shops alone, while I wait outside, as he doesn't now feel awkward or that he is holding up the queue as he did before. He doesn't have to get flustered and feel in the way. People understand if they know. We would welcome this lanyard idea. For those worried about vulnerability if it doesn't give your issue it's just a general notification that you have a problem I don't feel it is flagging up a vulnerable person.
Jean Findlay
saysMy husband wears one quite happily and I have attached a photo of us both and message to say he is nearly always with me. This is reassurance in shops, museums etc as he can just wander off and get disorientated and I now hope someone finding him will look for me and not call police. He carries a card but with so many jacket and trouser pockets he would forget or be unable to find it. He also finds it reassuring that others may notice and be extra patient.
Maggie
saysI agree with this .... My caree and I both wear a badge stating we are living with dementia. It gives him his freedom when we are out and about as he feels I won't "lose him " he wears an identity bracelet with directions to my phone number if police/medics are called. It's his security.... Makes him feel he can do things independently, gives him a confidence be was losing . He doesn't feel vulnerable or labeled he feels empowered
Sandy mitchell
saysWas travelling to a cruise in the canaries with wife Jean and son , at airport this lady spotted jean had on her Lanyard and escorted us to security where she helped us to get through this awkward dilemma as with me having a pacemaker it normally takes longer we just sailed through , so thank you Edinburgh Airport for you help.
Bev
saysMy husband has Alzheimer’s and I applied for one of these before travelling from Heathrow in October. Going through security can be problematic, but not on this occasion where staff were courteous and helpful. So many people wear this kind of thing theses days that he didn’t feel conspicuous and accepted wearing it. As it is available to people with hidden disabilities, it could cover a range of problems .
Hopefully it will become used more widely and eventually internationally.
Sue
saysPerhaps this scheme could be rolled out wider than airports and into everyday life so that shop assistants, taxi drivers and public transport operatives, to suggest a few, are aware. What about a sunflower sticker in publicly accessible shops, offices, cafes etc to show, after training, that they are dementia friendly. I am also concerned about visibly highlighting a vulnerable person.
Christine Gilliver
saysWe travel to Spain 4 or 5 times a year. My husband has mixed dementia and gets very agitated at times. The Sunflower lanyard has helped us a lot as has the Special Assistance service. The lanyard was especially helpful when he had a bit of a melt down in the plane as the Jet2 staff knew immediately he wasn’t a difficult passenger but had a hidden disability. The stewardess came to talk to me about their training as we were waiting to get off, very interesting.
They have lanyards at Tesco and Sainsbury’s for definite but not sure where else.
Linda Francis
saysMy husband is 58 and was diagnosed with Young On set Altzhimers 3 years ago. He has no insight to his diagnosis, thankfully and unfortunately his Altzhimers is very aggressive.
We we're first introduced to the lanyard at Belfast International Airport on our return to Birmingham Airport.
My husband is a young man, 6ft tall and unfortunately can be vocal when out or over friendly towards people. Being so young people's attitudes towards him have been quite upsetting as they presume he is going to harm them and he must be a trouble maker. Its been very upsetting and distressing watching people's reactions towards him.
Although he wears a lanyard, people still reacted the same until I explained to them he has Altzhimers then their attitudes change. I tell them about the sunflower lanyards and none of the people have heard of it and what it symbolises!. EVEN SOME STAFF IN SOME TESCOs WE'VE BEEN IN!!.
I have also made my husband a card that is attached to the lanyard which tells people what he has. I did this purely because so many people DON'T know about the lanyard and what it symbolises.!!. My friends who are nurses, some doctors and consultants are not aware either. It really makes me cross.
I would like the sunflower symbol to be as known as the pink Cancer bow so come on government make this happen, I'm fed up with having to explain what is wrong with my husband to everyone he comes into contact with. CAN AN ADVERT NOT BE MADE so 'Joe Public' know and recognise the sunflower. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE ACT.!!!.
Mrs Sylvia Owen
saysI've just flown to Tenerife with my husband, I picked up a Lanyard from Manchester Airport what a brilliant idea, got through booking in and customs so fast into plane first , husband doesn't like anyone to know he has Dementia but when people asked him what he was wearing he talked about it openly and to be honest he's wearing it everywhere we go
Janice Llewellyn
saysWe travelled from Birmingham airport last year and my granddaughter contacted the airport to ask for special assistance for my husband who has Alzheimer's disease and doesn't like the queues, we were given the sunflower lanyard and the help we had was wonderful everybody was so helpful and friendly. It took a lot of anxiety away as we didn't know how he would cope. We are travelling from Birmingham next month again and I'm not at all worried. I urge anyone in our position to get one and keep travelling as long as you can.
Sue Scott
saysLeaving Luton airport next week with my husband who has vascular dementia so have applied for a lanyard. So hope it takes away the stress and anxiety
Oriole
saysI would like 2, one for my partner as well,
how do I get one?
Mrs Sylvia Owen
saysMy husband and I have just flown to Tenerife the first time since being diagnosed, we picked up a Lanyard at Manchester Airport and it was a godsend , the help received was brilliant, my husband who's been going through denial has spoken openly to people who've asked what they're all about and in Tenerife he wears it all the time like he's proud to own it so I've just let him get on with it, I'm all for them