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.

This.

First post nails it.

@Ireallycantthinkofagoodone write to one of your local councillors or your MP to ask for their help with an appeal.

My mum is 90 and not yet using mobility aids. However has: a meningioma, basal ganglia infarcts, Parkinsons, suffers dizzy spells and aura unpredictably and also from anxiety re losing her confidence. All triangulated in medical letters, along with attendance allowance. Her local council said a 16 week wait for a decision as she wasn't a priority/automatic applicant. It took six weeks and I was gobsmacked.

She no longer drives but step or I accompany her when she goes out. It's been brilliant for hospital appointments.

Did you provide documented evidence?

Not sure of the correlation with moving the parent and child spaces. How does he get around the store if he is unable to walk from the car to the store. If its so painful for him would it not be an option to let him select his shopping online for delivery.

Ring age concern they help you it’s all about meeting the criteria with your answers on the form it you haven’t worded it properly then it will be rejected
what evidence did you send ?
did you get a doctors letter ( yes it’ll cost you £35 but you’ll save that in parking)
generally with out evidence it’ll be rejected as you could put anything

It's cumulative. The far end of our carparks are about 800m. The elderly can do the store but not both. Also the additional space between cars helps them to get in and out if they are stiff, achy or need aids. The store is warm and dry; the car park may be slippery underfoot, if it's raining they struggle with a stick(s) and an umbrella.

Also getting out to shop is a social construct. Chosing, chatting to the cashier, bumping into an acquaintance, having a cup of tea and a cake in the cafe.

The blue badge scheme is ridiculous. My grandfather, following a full leg amputation, had to wait 6 months to prove the disability was permanent (in case the leg magically regrew?). The badge finally arrived a couple of days after his funeral. We are not set up as a society to deal with our aging population and the realities of an aging body.

No it doesn't. A lot (if not most?) blue badge holders are passengers in cars, not the actual driver.

If by ‘nails it’ you mean ‘totally fails to understand what the blue badge is for’, sure…

I know a number of people with blue badges. None of them drive (one has been significantly physically and mentally disabled since birth and has never driven).

I should have explained - I’m driving, and he is the passenger!

He’s probably answered the blue badge questions as if it’s his best day, rather than his worst. My MIL did that - she was answering the questions putting on a brave face. On a good day she can walk further. But mostly she can’t. She did it again as if she was having a medium to bad day and she got the badge back. Those are the days she needs it for.

So why can't you just be a good chauffeur and drop him/pick him up from right outside the shop? You can park wherever, he can sit and wait for a short time, or get started already, and doesn't need to walk any extra metres.

😂 where do you live that supermarkets have carparks half a mile in length

I would challenge the decision to not renew his BB . It's not like he got younger or his ability to walk unaided has improved! Definitely appeal . Ridiculous ruling .

While awaiting a BB for an elderly relative I parked in P&C . If anyone wanted to challenge me ,the sight of me taking her wheelchair out of my boot would have detered them . I believe BB unauthorised parking is liable for clamping and/or fine . But P&C is not . Correct me if I am wrong . Believe it is something to do with discrimination.

My thoughts too. I am 80, I have a blue badge due to arthritic knees, one full replacement, and neuropathy in my feet which affects my balance. At times I have needed a stick. How one completes the questionnaire is so important. Look for your local branch of Age UK (Age Concern hasn’t been around for ages) they can help complete the application.

On a good day, I’ll park in an ordinary space, but sometimes I need to walk as short a distance as possible and then I’m grateful for my badge.

I do think you would be unreasonable to use a space for which you are not entitled. You could drop him off and then park the car.
Supermarket car parks are private spaces that belong to the supermarket. They are not community spaces.
Supermarkets like their customers with young children and go out of their way to help them. Unlike older people (including me), they will be spending a lot of money with them for many years to come.

Reapply for the blue badge and lay it on thick: He “cannot walk 20m unaided” etc. If you say a single positive thing about mobility it will be denied. You KNOW he and you need the badge so don’t feel guilty. The assessment system is broken.

You can appeal the blue badge decision. Did you include a letter from your GP?

and what happens if the elderly person is confused and wanders off or falls over before you can get back with the car?

haha - new to MN are you?

I have no issue with P&C spaces being further away, in fact I often wonder why they are near a door at all. They need to be wide, not near. When mine were little I parked near a trolley bay rather than P&C spots near a door.

I also disagree with posters who say drop and go, then find parking. Perhaps your 93 year old relative needs help out of the car so you need to park.

I would like to see more spots reserved for elderly or disabled people but without a badge system this is open to abuse

Is there any way you can have the blue badge decision reviewed?

My perfectly able neighbour has a blue badge which he uses for priority parking in a busy hospital car park. There will always be CFs

Didn't know they were being restricted but seems unfair he wasn't issued one and I wouldn't care about him using a P&C space because of it. I don't think the P&C spaces need to be moved though - near us there are soo so many disabled spots! And we know someone in her thirties who got a blue badge because of PTSD. I don't know enough about it but I just find it confusing how that could warrant a blue badge but still mean she's safe to drive.

It’s really fucking annoying needing a p&c spot and not being able to get one. There’s always loads of spare disabled spaces but hardly any p&c provided, so I think you still use disabled

Just drop him off at the door with his walker and then park the car 🤷‍♀️ he doesn’t need a blue badge as he doesn’t drive and anyone with him can drop him off and he is capable of walking with a walker. He isn’t disabled he’s just old which is why he’s not eligible for a BB

If he’s confused and doddery then he doesn’t need to be taken shopping does he!

Many disabled people have a BB, who cannot, or do not drive for whatever reason. You don't have to drive to be eligible for one, and if you read the OP, you would have read that he did have a BB, but for some reason it was not renewed by the LA, and should be appealed.