BY Abraham Amorós Deputy Executive Director of Operations, The League
Like many of you reading this, I was charged with the care of an elderly parent when he needed support the most. My father, who passed away in late 2024, was 91-years-old and suffered from dementia which was accelerated due to a fall he sustained from forgetting to fasten his seat belt on his wheelchair. Oftentimes, he became confused, irritated with his inability to remember things and, at times, acted inappropriately aggressive with his tone, language and actions. Little did I know that what he was really feeling was fear.
Caregiving is a commitment and one that is never taken lightly. Caregiving, especially for someone with dementia, is also an endeavor that must be personally experienced in order to fully appreciate all of the nuances and challenges that come with many frustrations. Having helpful resources such as Dementia Friendly Pennsylvania helps tremendously. Dementia Friendly Pennsylvania, a program of the Jewish Healthcare Foundation funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging’s Alzheimer Dementia and Related Disorders Office, introduced me to Dementia Friends which allowed me to take an online training to learn more.
During this training, I learned about creating safe spaces for those suffering from dementia, which include parks. Just recently, The League was instrumental in working with Ferguson Township and a non-profit organization named KaBOOM! that works with local communities in rebuilding and recreating parks. While the emphasis was on creating safe spaces for children and their families, I learned that there is also interest in providing welcoming spaces for those with dementia. My father, who enjoyed the outdoors consistently with fishing and his love of gardening, greatly appreciated being in the fresh air and around others who did the same.
Every community in Pennsylvania could greatly benefit from the creation of a Dementia Park which would include ample seating, interactive recreational equipment but most of all, solace, warmth and a way to provide a deeper connection with a loved one in the sunshine to provide a timeless pocket of peace. These parks are specialized public green spaces designed to provide safe, sensory-rich, outdoor environments with trails made safe for patients’ desires to “wander.”
The League will engage further with community partners to learn more about dementia-friendly parks and will provide more information to you as members along with our partners. In the next several months, look for more information on how to learn more as Dementia Friends has already offered to provide a free webinar for anyone who is interested in learning more about this opportunity. During that webinar, we will also have more information on possible funding opportunities to get you started.
I know Pop would have approved.
Article from the August 2026 Municipal Reporter | Public Health
