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IRON MOUNTAIN -- Family Ties is an adult day program open to all individuals that suffer from Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia.

It lends time to family members to take care of their responsibilities while helping the adult to constantly socialize, something coordinator Tammy Tomassucci says helps slow down the debilitating disease.

“I think the biggest benefit is it helps maintain their current level of cognitive ability and physical ability through our activities program,” explains Tomassucci.

However, this form of adult day care appears to be more of a social hour. Those who attend do everything from playing video games to fun-filled exercises.

“Family Ties is like a second home to them,” Tomassucci says. “The centers are structured like an apartment so when they get here, they can feel like they’re at home.”

The program offers families an option for their loved ones other than long-term care.

“Nursing homes can be expensive, and that's a big step for families, and this is kind of the bridge before that where we're able to keep them in their home as long as possible,” Tomassucci said.

Participants aren't the only ones loving the program. Family Ties began in 1992 with two or three active participants and currently now has 25 participants. The program even has a waiting list of 10-12 people and could take anywhere from six months to a year to get in.