Parking and the elderly

[Ireallycantthinkofagoodone]

I recently attempted to renew a blue badge for an elderly (93 year old) relative. Despite him needing to use a walking frame or sticks, having had several falls, having stiff and painful joints, and a bit of confusion, he has been refused a blue badge.

I have lived in an area that had a ‘brown badge’ scheme, which were given to anyone over a certain age - I think it was 70 or 75. Now, not everyone needs to secure a space near to store entrances - I’m late 70’s myself and regularly walk 8-10k a day, but many people do need this, as they can’t confidently walk too far.

But aside from blue badge spaces, the only other close ones are parent and baby spaces. Why? I don’t understand why the latter can’t be further away, and wide enough to access car seats.

If my 93 year old relative is no longer entitled to a blue badge, I feel the only option is to park in a so called baby space, so that I can encourage his ongoing independence in choosing his food shopping. He just wouldn’t go if I couldn’t assist.

AIBU - Elderly people don’t need consideration in supermarket car parks

AINBU - If blue badges are being heavily restricted now, spaces in car parks should be set aside for the elderly, and parent/baby spaces moved further away.

Ok il bite.

wtf are you doing encouraging a 93 year old with body issues and disabilities to still
drive

Who said that he is driving? He can use the BB in any car, as it is assigned to him. I do believe that the OP is driving him around.

I presumed it was a blue badge for him as a passenger that OP was looking for.

I would just park in the P&C space with him. I would not think twice about doing so, tbh, if they were the closest to the shop entrance.

I doubt anyone would begrudge you using a parent & child space for him, since he clearly needs the extra space and shorter walk to the shops.

I would challenge the issue of the blue badge

in the meantime I would use a P and C place.

You are not being unreasonable, your relative sounds like he could benefit from a wider space to allow you to open the door wide to allow him to get in and out.

What I am about to say will no doubt get me flamed. My understanding of disabled spaces in supermarket car parks is that they are not just for blue badge holders - unless it specifically says so - as it's private land.

A lot of supermarkets use blue branding and signage, but unless it clearly says blue badge holders only then you don't need one to park there. I have used them in the past when my husband broke his knee and was in a leg brace /on crutches for a month or so. No-one said anything, and from my point of view it might only have been a temporary condition, but the wider spaces were needed at that time. Once he was mobile again we parked in the wider car park

I can't imagine anyone would bat an eyelid about an obviously frail older person, using walking aids making use of the spaces. Your relative sounds to me like the person they were designed to assist.

Can you get more evidence for the blue badge and appeal? Councils are tougher to reduce fraud but if you have the evidence then your relative should get the badge.

Use the p&c spaces. He should have a blue badge, him being declined one is a disgrace. You should complain. I applied for one for my 80 year old mum who has advanced Alzheimer’s, she was declined one as the council said she was not physically disabled. After a very blunt and demanding conversation with me, she was given one. It has made a huge difference to my dad who takes her to numerous appointments.

@humptydumptyfelloffwhere does it say he still drives?? Perhaps time to get down off your high horse!

Blue badges are not just for drivers.

Op - please tell us that you're not supporting a 93yo, with slow reactions and confusion, to drive?!

Assuming he's bring driven, drive to the door, drop off, park, pick back up at the door.

If he's driving, that's concerning.

No, these spaces are for p&c and there's never enough of them. Please don't use them and get the blue/brown badge sorted.

That’s unfortunate but if someone cannot get in and out of a car safely because they have a disability they should use p&c spaces. Why should they struggle?

What the heck is a brown badge?

or you could do what most people would do and challenge the decision since you got one before.

having 'elderly' spaces wouldn't achieve anything, people already abuse p&c ones because they're closer to the store entrance

I dont think anyone would begrudge the use of a p&c space. But also thought private car parks can't enforce blue badge or can they? As in just park in the disabled space anyway.

Pretty sure everyone agrees they should be wider spaces but not next to the shop door meaning they'd only be used by those who actually need the width.

I have never heard of a brown badge either.

Yes park in P & C space.
it is not a public road, so no fine can be enforced.
Also P&C space are courtesy of the supermarket.

You can let him out at the entrance, park anywhere and pick him up again at the entrance or collection point if he's not driving. Parents with children can't do this safely with small kids or babies! You are being incredibly selfish.

There is so much abuse of blue badge spaces. You get a booklet with a blue badge that very clearly says not to park on the hashed lines between spaces as they're there for access and doing this is an abuse that can mean your blue badge can be cancelled.

Old people in small cars are the worst for parking way over the hashed lines. I use a wheelchair; there is no squeezing through a smaller gap. I have had to give up and go home from shops when there's been nowhere safe and accessible to park.

It is for those over 65 and meet the eligibility requirements. Not all councils offer these so not well known.

If the supermarket car park has a management company and t&cs posted then you may well get a fine if you park in a p&c space without a child. So be cautious. The same for parking in a disabled space with no BB.

Can he appeal the BB decision? It certainly sounds like he needs one!

As to why p&c spaces are near the shop - they're not always, but they gesnerally to have a safe footpath from the spaces to the shop, for small children who are walking. Which is obviously easier if they're near the shop.

It’s very unusual for someone’s blue badge to be taken away and he certainly sounds as though he qualifies for one. Did something significant change? Have you considered appealing?

P&C spaces need to be somewhere close if you need to get a suitable trolley while carrying/holding hands with small children. Otherwise you have to lock them in the car while you get the trolley you need.

I believe a blue badge is compared to others your age. And he’s doing very well for his age!
And if he’s your passenger you can drop him at the entrance and park further away.

I am only 55, have mobility needs that stop me doing what I’d like but aren’t bad enough for a blue badge. Sometimes I can’t manage the walk from the car park to the place I’m going, and still have energy for the event I’m at.

As a mother of 3 small people (all in car seats ) I'd have no issues with them being further away - although I absolutely sympathise with those with kids who run off and have to navigate a car park and can see the risk. I only need the width so I can get them out of the car.
However...the amount of old men, yes I'm pigeon holing folks, who park in P&C bays and wait for their wives absolutely drives me mad. I honestly cannot get my youngest out of the car in a normal space and have had to get her out and ask a passerby to stand with her and my middle one while I park the car.
So old men...Why cant you drop off and park somewhere else? Drive back round when they're done. Don't have a phone? Get one. There said it. And I feel better for it 😂