A Dusseldorf, Germany, senior center solved a problem of patients with Alzheimer’s or dementia who become disoriented, and try to leave via public transportation.
The center created a pretend bus stop, where patients wait — well — patiently until a member of the medical staff walk thems back to the facility. During the time they wait, they often snap back to reality and return without incident. It’s a “bus stop to nowhere,” says a center employee, but it’s a gentle way to keep people from running away and hurting themselves.
Listen to Radiolab‘s take on it. Be prepared to cry.
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