Taxi drivers will hold dementia patients spare house keys

Drivers at a taxi firm in Devon have been trained to be more aware of dementia and will even keep spare house keys of some of its regular customers who have the condition.

4Hire taxis, based in Tavistock, initiated the scheme because family members would often ask them to ensure their relatives were kept safe.

The Dementia Action Alliance and the Memory Cafe organised the training, which involved advice on how to spot the disease.

Chris Panter, who owns the firm, said: "If they don't turn up for regular bookings, then the alarm bells ring and we can check they're alright.

"It's about reading the signs, staying patient and helping to guide them."

He added that some customers would believe that a £10 note is actually one of the old £1 sheets, therefore they would try to pay £30 for a £3 journey.

Tavistock is considered to be a very dementia-friendly community.

Find out about dementia care and support services at Barchester care homes.