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Our Favorite Dementia-Friendly Things to Do Around Seminole

Wife is pushing her husband in a wheelchair to see the community garden

As we learn more and more about dementia, we’re thankfully changing how we think about the condition and the people who have it. For example, just because your loved one receives an Alzheimer’s or dementia diagnosis, doesn’t mean you can’t do things together and continue to enjoy life. In fact, there are several dementia-friendly activities you can do right here in Seminole, Florida. 

Fun Things to Do in the Tampa/St. Pete Metro

In 2015, The Seminole City Council designated the city as dementia-friendly, making it the first Purple City in Florida and, at the time, one of only five in the country. (Today, there are more than 300 dementia-friendly communities.) If you’re looking for some local dementia-friendly activities to do with your loved ones, here are some to consider: 

CHIHULY COLLECTION at the Morean Arts Center: Their collection features 18 installations spanning several of artist Dale Chihuly’s, well known for his large-scale blown glass sculptures, most popular series. Highlights include the Ruby Red Icicle Chandelier, created specifically for this collection, and the Mille Fiori. 

Art in Mind at The James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art: Developed with University of South Florida and led by trained docents, this innovative in-gallery experience for adults with dementia offers a unique, accessible arts encounter.  

Florida Botanical Gardens: This 100-acre park is managed by the Pinellas County Parks and Conservation Resources Department and supported by the Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation. The Gardens inspire and educate visitors by showcasing flora, fauna and natural resources in motivational surroundings that promote environmentally friendly techniques. 

Dementia-friendly dining: BayCare began working with local restaurants to start a new program called Dementia-Friendly Dining that provides training to better assist people with dementia and other memory disorders. When a restaurant completes the training, it gets a Dementia Friendly Dining sticker to put in their window or entrance. Current restaurant options include O’Keefe’s Tavern in Clearwater, Sonny’s BBQ in Largo and Cali’s in St. Petersburg, but more are joining all the time. 

10 Ways to Create a Fun, and Calm, Excursion

Here are some suggestions to ensure your outing with your loved one is safe, comfortable and enjoyable: 

  1. 1. Before you go, think about the problems that might arise and how you’d handle them.
  2. 2. Learn to recognize the warning signs of anxiety and agitation, and identify strategies to reduce them.  
  3. 3.When selecting destinations, consider those that have easy access to emergency health services and pharmacies. 
  4. 4. Consider everyone’s needs and interests as you plan your day. Elaborate sightseeing trips or complicated tours may cause anxiety and confusion. 
  5. 5. Stay relatively close to home. This will decrease travel time, which can be stressful for someone with dementia.  
  6. 6. Well before the trip, explain the plan to your loved one. Describe where you’ll be going and what you may do, even if you need to repeat it often. 
  7. 7. Try to stick with the familiar. Having beloved, comforting people, and even pets, around is key.  
  8. 8. Manage expectations because your loved one may not be as thrilled by your outings as you’d hoped they would be.  
  9. 9. Allow plenty of time for rest, and don’t overschedule or overstimulate. 
  10. 10. Have a bag of essentials with you at all times including medications, a comfortable change of clothes, water, snacks and activities. 

Discover Care with Heart at Freedom Square of Seminole

As a Life Plan Community, Freedom Square provides a full continuum of on-site care, if ever needed, to our residents. For those with dementia, our Heartfelt CONNECTIONS program is specifically designed to help foster a high quality of life. To learn more about the benefits our memory care community can provide your loved one and your family, give us call, use or Community Assistant chat feature or contact us here.