Dementia-Friendly Dining
Dementia-friendly Dining restaurants in Central Florida feature service to families and loved ones with dementia!
Dementia-Friendly Dining on WKMG News Channel 6
Toni Gitles and Dennis Dulniak share the details about Dementia Friendly Dining, how they became involved and they celebrate the latest restaurant to offer this opportunity for families living with dementia.
What is Dementia-Friendly Dining?
Dementia-friendly Dining restaurants are food service establishments that provide friendly, safe, and enjoyable places where families and friends may bring their loved ones who are living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
Dementia-friendly Dining is now providing access to many who suffer from isolation and the effects dementia has on families.
How did Central Florida Dementia-Friendly Dining begin?
Dennis Dulniak, co-founder of Dementia-friendly Dining in Central Florida, credits caregiving for his wife Nancy who passed away from Early Onset Alzheimer’s in January 2021 as his motivation to now help other families facing dementia. Dennis was the loving Care Partner for his wife Nancy who was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s in 2015. Even though Nancy had been placed in a local Memory Care Community, Dennis enjoyed taking her out to local businesses for meals and other treats like ice cream and deserts.
Having learned of other communities that established Dementia-friendly Dining, Dennis teamed with co-founder Toni Gitles, Certified Caregiving Consultant, author of “21 Mistakes of Caregiving and Ways to Avoid Them,” and Educator with Heart of Caregiving and Edith Gendron, Executive Director with the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center to help provide personnel training, scheduling and marketing.
Dennis shares, “There is a definite need to provide accommodations among our unique populations with dementia for creating quality life experiences, and that includes dining out in safe environments where the restaurants offer warmth, friendliness and good cheer.”
Congratulations to Hollerbach’s, a recent Dementia-friendly Dining addition, for a well-deserved award and recognition!
Hollerbach’s German Restaurant was recently awarded a Tribute by State Representative Rachel Plakon for their contribution to the community, which included offering Dementia-friendly Dining. Representative Plakon received a tour of this Historic Sanford, Florida, establishment and a detailed history of the Hollerbach family.
From their website:
At Hollerbach’s Has Heart, our mission is to foster a community enveloped in the spirit of Freundlichkeit and compassion. We aim to support charitable organizations in Seminole County, uplift hospitality workers in times of need, promote further education within the hospitality industry, and encourage a vibrant culture of volunteerism.
By embracing the German essence of Freundlichkeit, we strive to create a lasting impact on individuals and organizations, spreading warmth, kindness, and genuine care throughout our community.
Where can we find a Dementia-Friendly Dining restaurant?
There are currently five Central Florida restaurants offering a Dementia-Friendly Dining experience.
205 East 1st Street
Sanford, FL 32771
https://www.hollerbachs.com/
3100 Alafaya Trail
Oviedo, FL 32765
https://www.pepescantina.com/
630 S County Road 419
Chuluota, FL 32766
https://seminolebbqcompany.com/
701 E. SR 434
Winter Springs, FL 32708
https://www.perkinsrestaurants.com/
If you know or own a neighborhood restaurant with a back room or side area that may be a good prospect, or if you are willing to volunteer to promote Dementia-friendly Dining, email cfldfd01@gmail.com.
Recent Dementia-Friendly Dining Additions!
Co-founders Dennis Dulniak and Toni Gitles are thrilled to have the signature steakhouse A Land Remembered as the first fine dining option in the community of restaurants offering Dementia-friendly Dining.
A Land Remembered offers their Fine Dementia-friendly Dining every 1st and 3rd Sundays from 2 – 4 p.m. by reservation only at 407-996-8588 or 407-996-9770. Download Menu.
Dan Giordano, General Manager of Rosen Shingle Creek said “From the moment that I was introduced to the dementia-friendly dining initiative, I had an innate sense that this effort was a perfect correlation with our company’s core principles and mission.
All of us at Rosen Hotels & Resorts look forward to making a difference in the lives of not only those afflicted with dementia, but the ever so important caregivers as well. I remain excited about the prospect of expanding our reach and anxiously await the opportunity to introduce our property to this organizations’ participants.”
Dennis Dulniak responded, “There is a definite need to provide accommodations among our unique populations with dementia for creating quality life experiences and fond memories, and A Land Remembered private dining room provides an exceptional opportunity for families to celebrate in style!
Co-founders Dennis Dulniak and Toni Gitles are thrilled to have popular Hollerbach’s become the first German option and expand the number of community restaurants offering Dementia-friendly Dining!
Chief Operating Officer Chris Cremen said “At Hollerbach’s, we are delighted to support Dementia-friendly Dining because we believe in creating inclusive and welcoming spaces for all members of our community. It’s important to us that everyone, regardless of their challenges or differences, feels comfortable and valued when they visit our restaurant.
By participating in Dementia-friendly Dining initiatives, we can help raise awareness, foster understanding, and ensure that individuals living with dementia and their caregivers can enjoy a positive dining experience with dignity and respect. Joining this great effort toward the dementia-friendly community aligns with our commitment to compassion and hospitality, making our restaurant a place where everyone can feel at home and experience gemütlichkeit.
