Yellow Tape

Union station in Indianapolis was originally built in the 1880’s. It is not only a train station but was America’s first Union Station. History is everywhere in this building, including life size ghost statues scattered around the complex. This national landmark, now the Indianapolis Downtown Crowne Plaza was the location for the recent Dementia Action Alliance USA Conference. (DAA)

While checking in, it was hard to miss yellow tape going in all directions on the floor.  My first thought was “way finding cues for people with dementia. What a good idea.” Boy was I wrong. And why am I stuck on a phrase like way finding cues? And why do I think I don’t need way finding cues?

I followed yellow tape during the entire conference. The tape directed me to the correct elevators, outside across the street under train tracks, and into a different building. Though hopelessly poor at directions, not once did I need assistance, ask which elevator to take, or where the next session was located. I relied on the yellow tape during the entire conference. And I thought how great it was to have the tape in place for people living with dementia.

I didn’t realize the significance of yellow tape until thanking the front desk clerk when checking out. During a discussion of our mutual yellow tape admiration, she shared that they all were sorry to see our conference end. “None of us were ever interrupted answering the same direction questions over and over and over.” How much easier life could life be for all of us if we accommodate those living with dementia. How many of us would benefit from practical cues similar to yellow tape, or its equivalent? What other support similar to yellow tape is waiting to be discovered?