Nov. 8, 2021 By Allie Griffin
Sunnyside Community Services is reopening its in-person, day program for adults with Alzheimer’s, dementia and other cognitive impairments Tuesday.
The local nonprofit is relaunching the Social Adult Day program in person for the first time since March 2020. The program — which aims to provide a warm, friendly environment for adults with memory issues — operates Monday through Friday at the 43-31 39th St. center.
The program offers memory exercises, body stretches, art projects, singing and other activities as well as a chance for participants to be social with one another five days a week. It has been held virtually since the outbreak of the pandemic.
For many families, the program acts as an alternative to placing a loved one in a nursing home. It allows residents to keep their relatives with dementia in their homes while ensuring they still receive specialty memory care.
Sunnyside Community Services also hopes to provide respite for caregivers — giving them some time to themselves free of caregiving responsibilities — through the program.
The non-profit provides transportation to and from its location for participants who need it.
The program’s relaunch coincides with both National Family Caregivers Month and Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. More than 400,000 older adults are living with Alzheimer’s disease in New York, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Applications for the Social Adult Day program at Sunnyside Community Services are now open. For more information, call 718-784-6173 or email info@scsny.org.
In addition to reopening the Social Adult Day program in person, the nonprofit is welcoming community members back into its space for a free concert later in the month.
The concert will be presented by New Music Horizons on Saturday, Nov. 13 at 2 p.m. It will feature local musicians like classical composer David Shenton, jazz composer Mark Wade and the Mark Wade Trio.
Space is limited. Those interested in attending in person should register in advance and must wear a mask during the concert.
The performances will also be live-streamed on the Sunnyside Community Services Facebook page.