OPICA ADULT DAY CARE CENTER INC
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Mission Statement
The mission of OPICA is to improve the lives of adults challenged by memory loss. We do this by: Providing meaningful and stimulating day programs Supporting family caregivers through respite and counseling Increasing community understanding of memory loss through education, resource referral, and professional training We are committed to demonstrating that adults challenged by memory loss can continue to live at home and to grow—emotionally, socially, and spiritually. By offering new avenues of fitness, creativity, and engagement to our members, we affirm the resilience of the human spirit.
About This Cause
As the first Adult Day Program and Counseling Center in Los Angeles, OPICA (Optimistic People in a Caring Atmosphere) has been serving adults challenged with memory loss and their families in the West Los Angeles area for more than 38 years. Today, OPICA provides comprehensive programming specifically focused on all stages of memory loss in a nurturing environment and fills a critical need as one of the leading not-for-profit community-based organizations focused solely on memory loss. There is an integrated approach at OPICA that examines the entire well-being of the family unit with programming available for all needs. A family can progress within OPICA with a member starting at early-stage memory loss (via the OPICA Brain Train program), and then transition to the adult day program when appropriate, at each step surrounded by supportive family services that creates a one-stop shop for all their needs. Services for caregivers via support groups, individual counseling, art therapy, and educational programs provide a framework to answer the many questions and needs that arise on a daily basis for those caring for loved ones. All of these services are wrapped within a case management model that holistically provides comprehensive answers for families during this moment of their greatest need for support. A dedicated Director of Family Services is available for families at all stages, responding to their concerns about caring for impaired members at home and providing referrals to supportive services. By responding to both emotional needs for support and practical questions about available resources and benefits, OPICA prides itself on being a life-line to families that feel alone and adrift in an unfamiliar world when dealing with a family member with cognitive and memory loss. The adult day care program is a cost-effective, community-based option to care for older adults with dementia. Participation in effective adult day care helps keep those with dementia (a) functioning at as high a cognitive level possible for as long as possible and (b) out of institutions, while allowing their caregivers to be employed or have respite. OPICA's adult day program operates Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and offers social, therapeutic, and educational evidence-based activities including music therapy, exercise (e.g. chair yoga), performances by staff and professionals, intergenerational activities, current event discussions, and nutritious meals. Without the option of affordable adult day care and comprehensive caregiver support, older adults with dementia (particularly those who are low-income) face the risk of premature institutionalization as their family caregivers become too overwhelmed with caregiving responsibilities. Too often, caregivers face a tough choice between giving up their job to care for a loved one at home or placement of their family member in an institution. OPICA provides a third option, and thus the priority is to make our services as affordable as possible. Today, the maximum daily fee is $89 per participant, less than our actual daily cost of $126 per participant. Nevertheless, 69% of participants cannot afford to pay OPICA's daily fee and thus we offer as much financial assistance as possible. Additional financial support is offered for caregivers seeking individual counseling and support groups, with 82% and 44% of clients respectively utilizing a sliding scale. With the addition of free community lectures and educational programs throughout the county, the need for our services is greater than ever. At the same time, the majority of our adult day care participants are economically challenged – 18% have incomes below the poverty level and another 41% are low-income. However, as a steady stream of these low-income clients who cannot pay in full continue to seek our services, our ability to accommodate them all is increasingly constrained. Administrative costs continue to rise, with annual increases in operational costs such as health care and workman’s compensation. OPICA looks to the future with great optimism and excitement. We are in an era where we have more access to age-related information than ever before. We better understand the progression of memory loss, preventative measures and how to best care for ourselves and our families through the journey of dementia. By 2050, the number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer’s disease may nearly triple, from 5 million to as many as 16 million, barring the development of medical breakthroughs to prevent, slow or stop the disease. OPICA’s mandate to help individuals and families suffering from dementia is more important now than ever, underscoring the need to continue and expand our efforts. Members of OPICA have lived rich and full lives with amazing stories to tell and we have the privilege to add to their stories. The looks of joy, wonder, learning and creativity on members’ faces remind us every day that we have so much to offer and learn from one another. OPICA welcomes support from individual donors and Foundations in order to fulfill its mission of being able to serve all community members, regardless of economic background.