The Kensington Clubs

The Kensington Clubs offer engagement programs for adults with early-stage memory loss. Members have the option of virtual, in-person, or combined types of activities.

Welcome to the JCA Samuel J. Gorlitz Kensington Club

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 or virtual programming plus activities to do at home to regularly maintain social connections. Locations are in Rockville, White Oak, or Germantown for in-person programs or members can opt for a virtual program.

The blended program:

The KC @Home plus KC @Parklawn, KC @White Oak, or KC @Germantown Blended Engagement Program allows the Kensington Clubs member to enjoy a combination of club days in-person and/or online.

KC @Home

This virtual program provides a weekly optional zoom session and a monthly lifelong learning video that can be viewed multiple times.

• KC LIVE — Unlimited attendance via Zoom at more than 20 interactive and stimulating groups a month – groups with friends, staff, and volunteers – with programming tailored to members’ leisure preferences. 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.
• KC ON-SCREEN – A new lifelong learning video each month that provides a “mini-KC” for individuals living with early-stage memory loss. You and your loved one can view videos together on release days and anytime during the month thereafter.
• MY 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.
• PHONE PALS Telephone visits, by request, with compassionate staff and volunteers, arranged to accommodate each member’s schedule and unique needs.
• CAREGIVER RESOURCES in the form of a quarterly newsletter, periodic presentations on zoom by area experts, and a chance to meet online with other caregivers within the KC network.

Virtual Program Membership Criteria:

Applicants must have a medical diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early-stage Alzheimer’s, dementia, or memory loss. Must not be in denial of their diagnosis. For the virtual program, the member must have a laptop, computer, or tablet with a webcam and microphone, and have a reliable internet connection. Must have an attention span for a 30-minute program on a screen.

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

In-person program 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 includes a senior nutrition lunch and transportation for those who qualify.
• KC @Germantown Community Center is offered at no cost to Montgomery County residents who qualify. Please contact the program director at 301-255-4221 for more details. This program is funded by the Older Americans Act.

In-Person 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.

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.

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.

We are now offering a holistic and engaging blended social day program that can be enjoyed in-person or virtually, from the comfort of your home. 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.

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.