“Going Dancing”: How the Sam L. Cohen Adult Day Program Supported Lucille and her Family

When their mother, Muriel, was diagnosed with dementia four years ago, a close-knit family of siblings found themselves navigating new territory. “We’re very fortunate,” Lucille shared. “We have a lot of support, and we all help take care of our parents. But we wanted to find something that would really keep Mom’s mind active.”

Because vision has become limited for Muriel, the family worried she might lose some of her favorite pastimes. A coworker of Lucille’s recommended the Sam L. Cohen Adult Day Program.

“It has been fantastic for her,” Lucille said. “We especially love the variety of activities. With her eyesight, we were concerned about what she’d be able to participate in—but there’s music, exercise, movement… she’s constantly active. She calls it ‘going dancing.’ Every day when she comes home, my dad asks, ‘How was dancing?’”

Muriel now attends three days a week, and the family appreciates how personalized the program feels. “When she first started, the staff said to Muriel, ‘We’re all rowing in the same boat—we just row at different paces.’ That really stuck with me,” she said. “They meet her where she is, tailoring activities to each individual’s abilities and interests so that engagement is always a top priority.”

Lucille’s family also praises the staff’s communication and flexibility. “We have such frequent and open communication with staff. Just recently we had an emergency, and they adjusted her schedule so she could come on a different day. As a caregiver, that flexibility means everything.”

“My mother’s diagnosis was very difficult—we had never experienced dementia in our family,” Lucille reflected. “Unless you’ve experienced it yourself, you don’t really understand it. Every time we stumbled, staff explained things in a way we could understand. Anyone who’s been through it knows how hard it is—watching parents who supported you and worked so hard all their lives begin to forget. That’s where the Sam L. Cohen Center comes in. They say, ‘Here’s what I’d suggest, here’s who can help,’ and that guidance has been incredibly comforting.”

“The staff, the volunteers—everyone there—is so kind, empathetic, and understanding,” she continued. “They truly love what they do, and they take the safety of each member so seriously.”

For this family, the Sam L. Cohen Center has been more than a place for their mother to spend the day—it’s been a lifeline of care. “The staff have supported us every step of the way. They truly get it, and I commend them—they’ve shown us, over and over again, just how much they care.”

Learn more today about our three Adult Day Programs here.