The Kaplen Adult Reach Center (ARC) at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades has just expanded its days and hours of operation to meet the needs of more people in the community with Alzheimer’s and dementia. The program, which has run Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., will now extend to 4 p.m. each day, allowing participants to attend the same five hours as usual, shift their schedule to 11 a.m.-4 p.m. or come for the full extended seven-hour day for only $20 more. For the first time ever, the program will also be open on Sundays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. To provide ease and flexibility, the JCC has also arranged for transportation that will accommodate the altered schedules from most towns. Scholarship assistance is available and people with long-term-care insurance will be eligible for reimbursement.
“We are so pleased to able to expand this important program that continues to evolve and grow year after year,” said JCC Director of Senior Adult Services Judi Nahary. “There is a real ‘art’ to aging and our staff is committed to helping senior adults in our community find outlets to make these ‘later years’ more fulfilling. We tailor our programs and services to meet the individual needs of our participants so we can become a ‘home away from home’ for them and help them create deeper connections with their peers and their community. And now we can offer them longer hours and more options than ever.”
In addition to the expanded schedule, the ARC program makes ongoing enhancements based on the participants’ needs and interests. It features a grand-friend program, where seniors are paired with JCC nursery school classrooms and meet every week to read books, tell stories, celebrate Shabbat, sing holiday songs and share in other activities that create meaningful bonds. They also have the option to join active clubs such as cooking, gardening or sports clubs. There is even a jewelry-making class and a bowling club led by high school interns. ARC also has a year-round onsite nurse, as well as someone who can oversee bathroom assistance.
“What makes us so unique is that our program exists within the JCC’s welcoming community, with programs for people of all ages and all walks of life,” Judi continued. “Unlike so many senior facilities that are isolated from the rest of the world, our seniors meet in a busy, thriving environment. This makes a world of difference because it allows them to be part of a bigger, embracing community where they can continue to enjoy valuable aspects of life that they couldn’t take part in if they were in a secluded senior facility. It is a rare thing to be able to provide this type of experience, and I am so pleased we can do it with such amazing results.”
ARC’s two main objectives are to keep everyone actively engaged in the program and to renew each participant’s sense of purpose. The program utilizes a Montessori approach for working with participants with Alzheimer’s that has proven to be highly effective for enhancing social and emotional experiences for people with dementia. Since its inception more than 25 years ago, ARC has helped hundreds of individuals afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease while providing needed respite, support and guidance for their family caregivers. ARC features a nutritious breakfast followed by a schedule of activities that encourages socialization and engagement, including exercise, music, reminiscing, current events, pet therapy, horticulture, outings, holiday celebrations and more. Door-to-door transportation in handicapped-accessible vehicles is available, and programs are led by highly trained, compassionate staff, with an intimate one-to-five staff/participant ratio, supported by a corps of volunteers.
The program costs just $70 a day, and now features daily reports that are sent home to caregivers, who will have helpful documentation for everything their loved one has done for the day. For more information, or to arrange a visit or a free three-day trial, contact Judi at [email protected] or 201-408-1450.
