SS. Joachim and Anne Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Coney Island celebrated its feast day surrounded by friends and family.

SS. Joachim and Anne are not only the parents of the Blessed Mother, but are also the patron saints of grandparents. Many of the SS. Joachim and Anne residents are parents and grandparents themselves and were able to enjoy the day with their loved ones with Mass, a summer barbecue, live music, games and raffles, including a new flat-screen television.

Money raised from the day’s raffles is going toward upgrading the seventh floor, which is the dementia unit. The center is raising funds to include sensory equipment that will help dementia patients with “sundowning syndrome.”

Sundowning syndrome refers to a state of confusion, anxiety and aggression  among those with dementia that commonly occurs in the late afternoon and into the night, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Lisa Denis, residence administrator, knows the upgrades will be able to make a huge difference. “I am so happy that so many families were able to come and enjoy a beautiful day with their loved ones. This is all for the patients. They deserve this. This is the 27th year of the facility and every year we are trying to get better.

“The upgrades to the seventh floor will be able to help so many patients in many different ways. But today is all about the fun and making sure everyone enjoys the day.”

Mass was celebrated in the chapel by Msgr. Alfred LoPinto, diocesan vicar for human services, and CEO for Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens.

“We have both long term and short-term patients here and they all get the care that they need. We have Mass here every day for all that would like to join,” said Msgr. LoPinto.

“Today is an opportunity to show that we are a family-oriented facility. The door is always open. We go out of our way here to make sure family and friends can still be a large part of the patients’ lives.”

Linda Desgro, who arrived at SS. Joachim and Anne Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for rehabilitation a few days before the feast, was able to enjoy the day with her sisters.

“Everyone here has treated me so well,” Desgro said. “The staff is fantastic and helping so much. It is great having my sisters here as well and I am very excited for us to be able to spend the day together. Our mother just passed away in April so to have us all together and be able to have some fun it means so much to me.”