February 2025 E-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.

"When you get tired,

learn to rest, not quit."

~ Banksy

Caregiving,

Coming to PBS in Spring 2025

A new documentary

and national engagement campaign on the state

and stakes of providing care in America.

In the U.S., more than 105.6 million people are unpaid caregivers, providing 34 billion hours of care annually which amounts to an estimated $67 billion in personal lost earnings.

As caregiving in America faces the twin pressures of an aging baby boomer generation and rising life expectancy, the United States’ long-term care system threatens to tip into crisis. The film will personalize this urgent national issue through stories from caregivers and interviews with experts as they fight to give caregivers the security and support they provide for so many others. The project also includes a robust national engagement campaign.

The feature-length documentary and accompanying short films will examine caregiving from multiple perspectives: the creation and evolution of the care system; the social dynamics that shape our approach to caregiving today and the future possibilities; the lives of caregivers and their relationships with those in their care; the interpersonal and economic pressures faced by caregivers; and the broader societal context in which caregiving operates on the margins, yet affects everyone. Caregiving will air on PBS & WellBeings.org in 2025. Read entire article HERE.

UCLA Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Program 2025 Webinar Series:

Better Caregiving for All

Wednesday, March 26, 2025 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

The University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care (ADC) Program will be extending their "Better Caregiving for All" webinar series into 2025. The March webinar is on March 26 and will focus on Caregivers of Veterans with Dementia.

The virtual series is being delivered live online and recorded for on-demand viewing. Each month, the topics will focus on the needs of groups that have traditionally been overlooked in caregiver training and education.

Every session will feature a local expert and caregivers who will contribute their insights and experiences related to dementia caregiving for that specific group.

The March 26 webinar will focus on caregivers of Veterans with dementia and will feature content experts Dana Melching, LCSW and Viara Stoilova, LCSW, caregivers and moderator Linda Ercoli, PhD.

The February 19 session focused on spouse caregivers and will feature content expert Michelle Panlilio, DNP, caregivers Ramona and Frank and moderator Lina Ecroli, PhD.

In-Person Programs

Continue Daily!

OPICA OZ Online Program

Still Going Strong

OPICA’s OZ program (OPICA on Zoom), is your gateway to enriching experiences from the comfort of home. Delight in up to four hours of daily activities, carefully curated to inspire engagement and foster connection, every weekday (Monday to Friday) from 10 am – 1 pm.

Join us on Zoom and embark on a journey filled with interactive

exercises, stimulating conversations, and captivating activities designed to invigorate the mind and body. Whether it's daily exercise routines, culturally immersive adventures, cognitive challenges, creative art sessions, or wonderful musical performances, OZ offers a diverse array of experiences tailored to engage older adults in meaningful ways.

OZ - OPICA on Zoom is more than just a program; it's a daily

invitation to rediscover joy and companionship through enriching activities.

To learn more about how you or your loved one can participate, please reach out to Emily at Emilyc@opica.org or call 310-478-0226.

Join us on OZ, where every day holds the promise of new adventures and connections.

OPICA on Zoom is now available at NO cost to members of the OPICA Adult Day & Brain Train Programs. Start today and be part of the online community!

Monday through Friday / 10:00 am – 1:00 pm