The Kensington Clubs


Welcome to the JCA Samuel J. Gorlitz Kensington Clubs

The Samuel J. Gorlitz Kensington Clubs of JCA are social day clubs designed to meet the needs of adults who are in the early stages of diagnosed memory loss while offering a break for caregivers. Our experienced staff provides support, acceptance, and compassion. The clubs offer socialization with peers and meaningful cognitive and physical activity in comfortable surroundings.

The JCA Kensington Clubs are comprised of weekly programs providing social, purposeful, and stimulating activities for older adults with early-stage memory loss. We offer in-person programming plus activities to do at home to regularly maintain social connections. Locations are in Rockville, White Oak, or Germantown.

I can’t believe how lucky we are to have found such a great place as Kensington Club. Everyone goes the extra mile to make each person feel special. This has been an overwhelming experience for me, but all I see are happy faces. — Care Partner

KC @Parklawn, KC @White Oak and KC @Germantown

Programs for physical and cognitive enhancement

  • KC @Parklawn, KC @White Oak Senior Center, and KC @Germantown Community Center — 4-hour, highly engaging program specifically designed for individuals living with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Alzheimer’s Disease, or another form of dementia or memory loss. Planned activities are led by Recreation Therapists and Certified Dementia Practitioners, as well as contracted Art and Music Therapists.
  • These activities promote physical and cognitive enhancement through gentle exercise, literature art, history, nature, health/wellness, music, social, and other lifelong learning program opportunities. Caregivers can receive 4 hours of respite and time away from caregiver responsibility while their loved one attends the Club in a stigma-free and supportive environment.
  • KC @White Oak Senior Center and KC @Germantown include a senior nutrition lunch and transportation for those who qualify.
  • Monthly Engagement Package E-mailed to the home brimming with Paper-and-Pencil Activities to complement the activities. These focus on maintaining cognitive, physical, and social functioning of the older adult living with early-stage memory loss.
  • Caregiver Resources in the form of a blog, periodic presentations on Zoom by area experts, and a chance to meet online with other caregivers within the KC network.

Membership Criteria:

Applicants must have a medical diagnosis of early-stage memory loss and demonstrate independence with walking, eating, and communicating. They must be able to independently manage their own personal care in the bathroom and not be at risk for wandering. They should not be in denial of their diagnosis and be able to take medications with a verbal reminder.

KC@Parklawn
12320 Parklawn Dr.
Rockville, MD 20852
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KC@White Oak Senior Center
1700 April Lane
Silver Spring, MD 20904
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KC@Germantown Community Center
18905 Kingsview Rd.
Germantown, MD 20874
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Steps to Apply:

  • INQUIRY: After reading descriptions of  KC@Parklawn, KC@White Oak and KC@Germantown, contact the program director at ckemp@accessjca.org or 301-255-4204
  • VISIT: Arrange a virtual or in-person club visit with the director or manager.
  • FORMS: If it is a mutual fit, complete the four forms linked on this page.
  • PAYMENT: Payments can be processed through this page.

Forms to Submit:

  • KC Leisure Interest Survey for Applicant: Form 1
  • KC Application for Care Partner: Form 2
  • KC Application for Club Applicant: Form 3
  • JCA Adult Program Photo Release: Form 4

Kensington Clubs brings you some awesome programs and wonderful program leaders!

Within the limits of its resources, JCA serves people of all faiths and from all walks of life. Indeed, we try to be as inclusive as possible in all that we do. Sometimes, however, JCA may deny a person or a group the option to enroll or to continue to participate in all or particular programs and services. We reserve the right to do so, at our sole discretion, should we believe that our action is in the best interest of the individual or program or for any other reason not precluded by applicable law.

JCA may change the nature and fee schedule of its programs at any time and without written notice.

JCA® Headquarters and the
Kensington Clubs’ Main Office
12320 Parklawn Drive
Rockville, Maryland 20852

Primary Phone: 301-255-4204
KC@White Oak Senior Center: 301-255-4221

Email: KensingtonClub@AccessJCA.org

Website: www.accessjca.org/kensington-clubs/

About Us/History

The Samuel J. Gorlitz Kensington Clubs of JCA are social day clubs designed to meet the needs of adults who are in the early stages of diagnosed memory loss while offering a break for caregivers. Our experienced staff provides support, acceptance, and compassion. The Clubs offer socialization with peers and meaningful cognitive and physical activity in comfortable surroundings. The Clubs are a program of JCA ® – the Jewish Council for the Aging of Greater Washington. They serve people of all faiths and from all walks of life.

Earlier intervention means a better quality of life. Our program packages provide opportunities for social engagement and support while promoting brain health and stimulation. We offer needed structure in the day.

The Club also offers camaraderie in an environment of acceptance. Club programs draw from individual interests and focus on maximizing skills for those with early-stage memory loss.

At JCA, no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, ancestry, or disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or otherwise be subject to discrimination in the provision of any care, service or admission subject to applicable laws.

JCA strives to be as inclusive as possible in all that we do, and our clients have the right to expect compassionate service from us. Sometimes, we may need to make the difficult decision of denying a person or group the option to enroll in our programs or continue to participate in them. We reserve the right to make lawful decisions that we believe are in the best interest of our clients and each program.

JCA may change the nature and fee schedule of its programs at any time and without written notice.


For More Information

Contact: Colleen Kemp

Email: ckemp@accessjca.org

Phone: 301-255-4204

JCA will be closed in celebration of Rosh Hashanah starting at 3:00 PM on October 2 through October 3 and 4.

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