SUMMER / FALL 2014 a newsletter o f OPICA ALZHEIMER’S IMPACTS THE ENTIRE FAMILY n hectic days when there just isn’t enough time in the day to get everything O done, do you dream of retirement? Retirement is freedom. Freedom from the dreaded shrill of the alarm clock. Freedom from the daily commute. Freedom to spend more time with our loved ones. Pure, wonderful freedom from responsibility. A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s for a loved one is devastating on so many levels, and if you’re the one in the position to become the primary caregiver, it is life changing. You grieve for the pain your loved one CELEBRATING will endure with no cure in sight and you grieve 35 YEARS the future you should OF SERVICE have had together, the freedom you imagined. Caring for a family member with dementia is an intense 24/7 If you’re struggling endeavor that is psychologically and to care for a loved emotionally stressful. one with Alzheimer’s Experiencing the effects Mike McGurk (a member of OPICA since 2012) or other challenges of a loved one’s memory and his wife Cathy loss, growing difficulty in communicating effectively, episodes of frustration and with dementia, anger, coupled with the increasingly close supervision and personal care that OPICA can help. those with Alzheimer’s disease require, and the stress it creates can result in depression, grief, fatigue, feelings of entrapment, and physical health problems. OPICA’s longstanding view is that both the individual with dementia and their family caregivers are clients. Recognizing the challenges that family caregivers experience and supporting them in their role is essential and continued on page 11 OPICA Adult Day Program IN THIS ISSUE: – page – page and Couns eling Letter from Leadership 2 • Outside r/ Insider Art Show 3 Forget-Me-Not Luncheon – page 4 • Member Profiles – page 6 Center Tributes and Memorials – page 7 • OPICA Donors – page 8 OPTIMISTIC PEOPLE IN A CARING ATMOSPHERE A MESSAGE Dear Friends of OPICA, FROM THE OPICA is an oasis tucked away on the LEADERSHIP southwest corner of Stoner Park; it is relatively unknown to the many people BOARD OF DIRECTORS: struggling to care for a loved one with MARY M. BAKER Alzheimer’s or related illnesses. The MARY BOMBA building’s exterior reveals very little about BUNNI DYBNIS PETE ENGLAND the special place that it is. Once inside, SCOTT FREEMAN visitors encounter members actively BARBARA HAMENT involved in singing, art, dancing, ball play or ping pong, engaged with staff to the GAIL HOLTZMAN extent that it’s hard to discern who’s enjoying themselves more. SHIRLEY KLEIMAN JOYCE LEANSE When families are asked how they heard about OPICA, the most common MARILYN LEVIN response is “from a friend.” Word-of-mouth is a valuable marketing tool for any KEITH McCOY organization and because of OPICA’s low profile, especially important for the SUSAN POMERANTZ LOUIS REISMAN hundreds of individuals and families for whom OPICA has been a life-saver. FRANCES SAITO On Sunday, July 20th, Frumeh Labow, a member of OPICA’s Advisory Council, TERESA RIDDLE DIANE WOLF graciously hosted an Indian Afternoon Tea for friends and colleagues at her home to introduce them to OPICA. Greeted by delicious appetizers, samosas and EMERITUS MEMBERS: assorted tea sandwiches, guests had the opportunity to learn more about our DEBORAH GAUVREAU “oasis” tucked away in Stoner Park. Moved by testimonials of how OPICA has RICHARD GIESBERG SH LA HAZAN helped so many individuals and families, those who attended had an opportunity KATȊ HLEEN McCANN to make a difference; whether it’s a referral to someone they know who can greatly GEE MARTIN benefit from OPICA’s services or support to insure that OPICA can continue to RITA WILLIAMS grow, to meet the increasing demand of people impacted by Alzheimer’s. ADVISORY COUNCIL: We are indeed grateful to Frumeh for opening her home and hosting such a PHYLLIS BELLANO delightful way to spend an afternoon and spread the word about OPICA. If you TERESA BOND MICHAEL BROIDA have a group of friends that you would like to introduce to OPICA and are able to ERIC BRUCK host a gathering, please contact Stacey Barrett at OPICA to schedule a date. We RABBI KENNETH appreciate your help to spread the word. We want the community to know more CHASEN about the supportive programs and services OPICA has to offer and where they can SHEILA GOLDMAN turn to when their need for respite and support arises. With your help, we can NOAH HASS-COHEN FRUMEH LABOW make it happen. TERRY MAGADY JANET MORRIS Sincerely, DANIEL PLOTKIN GAIL SANTUCCI Mary Baker Mary Michlovich MICHAEL STATES President Executive Director RANLYN TILLEY HILL PAUL WISHINGRAD OPICA is a place where adults coping with memory loss, dementia and related disorders are accepted and welcomed. While families and friends who come to us for help may be in crisis and not know where to turn, OPICA is here to provide support, guidance and hope. Our mission is to: • Provide compassionate and stimulating day care for adults impaired by dementia; • Support caregivers through counseling and respite; • Offer education and resources that increase community understanding of memory disorders; and Through these programs, help our members continue to live at home. 2 OUTSID ER/ INSIDER ART SHOW Beyond Alzheimer’s, The Artist Within OPICA’s 5th annual Outsider/Insider Art Show will be held on September 13th at Bergamot Station. Please join us for an afternoon of entertainment and refreshments where OPICA artists will proudly present their paintings to family, friends and members of the community. OPICA innovatively meets the need of individuals and families dealing with dementia. Central to our programming is nurturing our members’ creativity. In a supportive environment, our members are encouraged to experiment with an assortment of art media in a fun and meaningful way. Through the art-making process, participants often gain confidence to try new media, sometimes uncovering talents they never knew existed. In addition to expanding their ability to think creatively, the social aspect of the group helps decrease isolation, stress and depression, and fosters a sense of community which can lead to an overall improvement in quality of life. Heartfelt thanks to the inspiring OPICA artist for sharing their creativity and wisdom, and for generously donating their art to create this unique and enriching experience. A special Thank You to: • Emily Carvill, Abby Fels and Georgi Marshall for their When and Where dedication and commitment to OPICA members, providing them opportunities for personal and creative growth; 2:0 0- 4:0 0pm – Meet The Artist • Paula Stoeke for generously opening her art gallery and our 2:0 0- 6:0 0pm – House Reception generous co-sponsors; Talisman Fine Art Gallery • Co-sponsors, The Ted and Rita Williams Foundation and Bergamot Station Whole Foods Market at National & Barrington; 2525 Michigan Avenue A-6 And of course YOU, friends of OPICA, for all your support. Santa Monica, CA 90404 Proceeds from artwork sold benefits OPICA’s Counseling Center. OPICA’s Counseling center provides individual counseling and support groups for family caregivers the community they need where they can share personal stories, express emotions, and be heard in an atmosphere of acceptance, understanding, and encouragement. Participants share information and resources. By helping others, people in a support group strengthen and empower themselves. The emotional support derived from support group participation can help reduce stress, where participants learn how to develop better coping skills. By attending support groups, partners, friends, and family members may also learn how to be more understanding and supportive of their loved ones coping with dementia. For more information about OPICA’s counseling center, contact Anne Galbraith, Director of Counseling at (310)478-0226 or [email protected] 3 RECOGNIZING OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUALS IN THE ALZHEIMER’S COMMUNITY PICA was proud to honor Joshua Grill, Ph.D. and I value the experiences I’ve had to see this first-hand.” ORichard Giesberg at its annual Forget-Me-Not Dick accepted the Founder’s award with heartfelt praise Luncheon, on Thursday, June 5th. Speaking to a sold out of OPICA’s unique programs and dedicated compassionate crowd at the Four Seasons Hotel, each honoree shared his staff. He described how after decades of helping build involvement in the Alzheimer’s community and how it OPICA in partnership with his late wife, he needed OPICA influenced his life, for guidance and services as she developed Alzheimer ’s OPICA produces renewing a disease. In his unexpected role as caregiver, he turned to “ commitment to OPICA’s counseling services and has become a member meaningful differences in and support of of the OPICA supportive family. Moved by the extent of people’s lives; I value the OPICA. appreciation extended to him, Dick closed the event to a experiences I’ve had to see Dr. Grill standing ovation, expressed his “I’m honored that Countless families, this first-hand . “ ” appreciation to so many good including Dick’s own, over – Dr. Josh Grill OPICA as a friends are here thirty-five years have been partner for to celebrate opening its doors to host community presentations. He and honor my among the recipients of stressed how important it is to seek a cure and provide contributions, the grace, sensitivity and care for Alzheimer’s patients. From his perspective, thank you.” deeply needed care that “Alzheimer’s is the most important problem our society Presenting awards OPICA provide s... faces from a medical standpoint today. To achieve our were Dr. Dale ” goals, it will take a true team effort, patients, caregivers, Bredesen, Director, Mary E. Easton Center for Alzheimer's community partners, researchers and scientists.