JULY NEWS  FROM  OPICA   

OPICA provides comprehensive, personalized services for adults challenged with memory loss, and for their families. We thank you for sharing this news with others.
Dementia Speaks: Are We Listening?

Limited verbal communication does not equal limited cognition for dementia clients. For many people with dementia a strong desire to formulate thoughts into speech long outlasts the the ability to shape logical statements. By showing persons with dementia that we have sincere desire to understand them we cultivate trust that goes a long way toward reassuring hurt feelings. Read  more HERE
OPICA'S WELLNESS LECTURE SERIES
LEARN FROM NOTED EXPERTS ON ISSUES RELATED TO MEMORY LOSS AND AGING

Dr. Plotkin is a physician who specializes in geriatric psychiatry. His Los Angeles practice of 30+ years is distinguished by his unique and artful treatment approaches. 

Dr. Plotkin regularly gives presentations to scientific and lay communities, he has appeared on radio, television and in the print media. In this presentation he will share current best practices for managing dementia, including recent research findings. 

Dr. Plotkin  will entertain questions from the audience.  This event is FREE OF CHARGE and open to the general public. This event is made possible by the generous support of OPICA's donors.

Managing Dementia

presented by
Daniel Plotkin, MD, MPH

Monday, July 11th, 2016
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 PM
OPICA, Stoner Park
11759 Missouri Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90025

Brain Train for Early Dementia


For individuals experiencing early-stage memory loss, OPICA's Brain Train is a weekly four hour program delivered by a professional multi-disciplinary team.  Program components are designed to help individuals find healthy ways to cope with their emotions, learn techniques to support memory, enhance creativity and provide opportunities for friendship.  A support group for family CAREgivers offered concurrently provides peer-to-peer support, a greater understanding of dementia and specific care management strategies . To learn more click HERE

Why I'm A Dementia  Care Professional

When I toured OPICA I was unsure of the fit. Interestingly enough, that night my grandmother appeared in a dream and said OPICA would be a "blessing." By the end of my first week I couldn't do enough, I fell in love with the community. I've been at OPICA for nearly 13 years.

My Favorite Part of Working at OPICA

My favorite activity is feeding members that can't feed themselves.
Memory Training Program South Bay Beach Cities
This four week series is made possible by OPICA's generous donors.

This FREE program is based on research conducted by Dr. Gary Small of the UCLA Memory and Aging Center. It helps participants learn general strategies to improve memory, remember names and faces, develop techniques to recall numbers, and learn about factors that impact memory.

This four-week workshop focuses on the four top memory complaints:
♦  Forgetting names and faces.
♦  Forgetting to do things, keep appointments, or   
    recall why you walked into a room.
♦  Forgetting where you put things like keys or glasses.
♦  Knowing you forgot something, and feeling like it's   
    "on the tip of your tongue" but still being unable to 
    immediately recall it.
What Are The Best Activities
For People with Dementia ?

Dementia can rob a person of so many things, a sense of purpose is one vital area of jeopardy. As CAREgivers we are empowered to safeguard quality of life for our loved one. When we understand  the right activities that bolster a sense of accomplishment, usefulness, and dignity for person's with dementia we can better protect this jeopardy.   Read more HERE
What is MOOC  Understanding Dementia ?

The University of Tasmania's Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) "Understanding Dementia" is a 9 week online course. It's free and anyone can enroll.  Since 2013, 70,000 people have enrolled in the course from 170 countries. Pre-enrollment is open now for the session that begins August 30 th  - click HERE  for more details.

Dementia has been identified as one of the public health issues of the 21st century. Global measures to address this crisis are invaluable to finding the best solutions. OPICA solutes The  University  of Tasmania's  MOOC and warmly extends this invitation to KNOW MORE. 
Why Do Savvy CAREgivers Utilize Respite Services?

For people who are challenged with memory loss, and for those who care for them, days are long and full of needs. Savvy caregivers understand that it is particularly important that they take regular breaks from care obligations to allow for recuperation, relaxation and stress relief. Respite services provide family CAREgivers a well-deserved reprieve, read more HERE
The Dementia Timeline

While the progression for dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, is unique for each individual there are timeline models that help explain standard progression. We invite you to view a 6 minute video that explains two standard progression timelines, to watch click HERE
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