Caregivers In South Dakota: Things to Do With Your Care Recipient
From Hill City and Hot Springs in the Badlands to Sioux Falls in the east, South Dakota has a lot to see. In this article, we’ll explore local activities you can do with your care recipient.
If you’re looking for more caregiving information and live in South Dakota, you have free access to Trualta resources. If you live in another state, check to see if you have free access using this link.
Find Programs At A Local Senior Center
You should be able to find senior and community centers wherever you live and care for a loved one in South Dakota. These activity centers are hubs for socializing, recreation, and fun.
The City of Sioux Falls is a great example of providing senior programs for residents. Programs include walk-in games and open recreation times for more active seniors.
Seniors can also take a variety of fun and useful classes. The Stay Active and Independent for Life Class uses balance and fitness to help older adults build strength and reduce fall risks. The Joints in Motion class and Basic Arthritis Aquatics are great ways to stay fit for seniors with limited mobility.
Friends on the Front Porch is a fun opportunity for socializing. The Front Porch is accessible for all older adults. Your care recipient can sit here and chat with a coffee. They can also get involved in classes and crafts without registering.
Even if you aren’t caring for a senior but instead are supporting someone with a disability or another unique need, community centers often provide accessible activities for a wide range of populations. These centers can be a great resource for finding inclusive programs and opportunities tailored to your loved one’s abilities and interests.
Visit A National Park
If your care recipient loves the great outdoors, South Dakota is the place to be. The spectacular scenery in the state isn’t restricted to able-bodied people. Accessibility in parks allows everyone to enjoy it.
South Dakota is home to two national parks. The National Park Service (NPS) also manages National Monuments, Memorials, and Historic Sites in the state. You can visit several of these sites in the Black Hills region and the western side of the state:
- Badlands National Park
- Wind Cave National Park
- Jewel Cave National Monument
- Mount Rushmore National Memorial
- Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
Visiting these sites depends on having transportation. If you can get to one of these sites with your care recipient, you might be surprised at how accessible they are.
The NPS is committed to accessibility. Each park’s website has detailed information on accessibility. Badlands National Park is remote but worth the drive. There, you’ll find accessible trails, overlooks, campsites, and a visitor center. Take the Badlands Loop Road for a scenic route. Mount Rushmore is also very accessible.
Visiting the parks is affordable too. The NPS Access Pass is free and gives permanently disabled Americans lifetime access to NPS sites. A Senior Lifetime Pass is just $80 and is for adults 62 and older.
Visit State Parks
There are also several great state parks to visit in South Dakota. Some are more remote than others. All of them offer the best of the state’s natural beauty.
Custer State Park
Custer State Park is closer to Rapid City and easier to access than the Badlands National Park. It offers similar scenery with views of Black Elk Peak and the Black Elk Wilderness.
Custer State Park is also home to Needles Highway. This scenic drive is a great way to see the views if your care recipient has mobility challenges. Another scenic drive in the park is Iron Mountain Road.
Bear Butte State Park
Bear Butte is north of Rapid City and not far from Sturgis. Mato Paha is the Native American name for this area. It’s an interesting natural feature and is considered sacred to many Native Americans. In addition to the scenery, the park has an accessible visitor center and fishing pier.
Palisades State Park
Palisades State Park is on the eastern side of the state near Sioux Falls. The unique landscape of the park includes Split Rock Creek, which has carved a deep gorge through quartzite formations. The park has many accessibility features, including campsites.
Other Unique South Dakota Sites
Parks are not the only attractions in South Dakota. Many other sites with great scenery and accessible recreation are outside the parks.
Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway
Spearfish Canyon in Spearfish is a beautiful area with hiking and waterfalls. For anyone with limited mobility, the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway is a great way to see it all. This 19-mile drive winds through cliffs and gorges. You’ll see numerous waterfalls and beautiful views.
The Mammoth Site
The Mammoth Site in Hot Springs is a paleontology enthusiast’s dream. You and your care recipient can see excavated mammoth fossils. You can also view an active dig site with other types of Ice Age fossils. The Site has many educational opportunities that are fun for kids and adults. If your care recipient has grandchildren, this is a great spot for an outing for everyone.
Deadwood
Your care recipient will love a visit to Deadwood if they’re a history buff. This classic Old West town originated with the gold rush. It was home to famous people from the Wild West era, like Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane. Today, it offers history tours, museums, re-enactments, and more, that someone with limited mobility can enjoy.
South Dakota Museums
South Dakota is home to fascinating history and natural features. It also has many great museums with good accessibility. If your care recipient isn’t interested in or able to do outdoor recreation, check out these museums.
South Dakota Cultural Center
The South Dakota Cultural Center is in the state capital of Pierre. This state treasure is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution. It showcases South Dakota history, from the original Native American tribes to settlers and up to the current day.
The Indian Museum Of North America
The Indian Museum of North America is affiliated with the Crazy Horse Memorial. Both are worth seeing for anyone interested in history and Native American culture. The museum contains artifacts from tribes all over North America. The memorial is a sculpture in the making.
Art Museums
The South Dakota Art Museum is part of South Dakota State University. Admission is free. It’s a must-see stop in Brookings if your care recipient loves art. The museum has a regular collection and frequently holds special exhibits. In Rapid City visit the Dahl Arts Center, which is also free.
Enjoy The Cities Of South Dakota
South Dakota’s largest city is Sioux Falls. Rapid City is also a sizable city with many attractions for older adults and care recipients with disabilities.
Downtown Sioux Falls has a lot to offer you and your loved one in terms of activities. Enjoy a food and history tour. Shop unique local businesses. You can also find many free attractions, like summer concerts and outdoor sculpture parks.
Rapid City is smaller but still has a lot to offer. Bear Country USA is a unique drive-through park ideal for a care recipient with mobility challenges. Drive the park to see bears, elk, bison, and other North American wildlife. Downtown Rapid City has great restaurants, art galleries, and shopping. Catch a ride on the City View Trolley for an easier way to see the city.
Additional Resources
Many parts of South Dakota are remote. If you and your care recipient have good transportation, it’s possible to see many of the sites. If not, your local attractions and senior centers offer many activities and recreation.
Travel South Dakota is a great resource for accessibility. Visit the site to learn more about how to use accessible transportation throughout the state. It also provides information about specific attractions. A representative can suggest accessible activities and sites based on your care recipient’s preferences and needs.
Looking for more information about caregiving? South Dakota residents have free access to Trualta resources and articles on a variety of related topics. If you live in another state, use this link to check if you have free access.
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