OPC invites 50+ community to explore spring classes, programs

ROCHESTER/ROCHESTER HILLS/OAKLAND TOWNSHIP — The Older Persons’ Commission is giving the senior community a chance to ‘Spring into Action’ this month with a variety of classes and programs March 13-17.

“Spring into Action is designed to really introduce the OPC to the local community, those who are 50 and older who might not be aware of us,” said Colleen Burtka, the marketing and development specialist for the OPC. “We just want to reach people who should be utilizing the OPC and everything that we have to offer, but who might not be aware of it yet.”

An OPC membership — which is required to participate in Spring Into Action events — is free to all residents age 50 or older in Rochester, Rochester Hills and Oakland Township, and it provides fitness amenities, therapy and lap pools, and fitness, enrichment and arts programming.

Various programs will be offered during Spring into Action week, including a “Celebration Concert” with Mark Tisdel at 6 p.m. March 13 and a “Rewired Not Retired” program on “Birding: The Spring Migration” on March 15. Guests can also participate in high-intensity interval training, mindfulness meditation, aqua bike circuit training, step aerobics, Zumba, cardio-kickboxing, and cycling and water works athletic fitness classes. They can watch demonstrations on Chinese brush painting and watercolor painting, join an “Anyone Can Paint” class, view a studio art exhibit, and more.

To help showcase the OPC and its programs, a number of new member coffees will be held.

“We invite people to come in and grab a coffee so we can introduce them to the OPC and take them on a tour,” Burtka said. “It’s really designed to showcase the facility, really show people what we are all about and encourage them to become members.”

OPC Executive Director Renee Cortright said the Spring Into Action event is a great way for people to find out why the OPC is the place to be for older adults.

“We are now in our 7th year of offering Spring into Action that was created for people to get together and enjoy fun, free or low-cost activities,” she said in a statement. “This action-packed week is an opportunity for members to try something new, connect in a spirit of camaraderie or benefit from our many supportive services.”   

Every week, close to 50 classes and programs are held at the OPC, which offers many resources through its health and wellness department, adult day services, support groups, and more.

The OPC provides a number of life-sustaining and supportive services — such as the Meals on Wheels program, transportation, adult day services and senior resources — to enhance the quality of life and prolong housing independence for seniors in Rochester, Rochester Hills and Oakland Township. This month, an adult day service open house will be held 10-11:30 a.m. March 10, offering those interested a tour of the center and an opportunity to learn more about the day program for adults with memory loss, cognitive impairment or physical disabilities.

The center also offers a variety of resources and programs for caregivers and gives referrals for services for everything from in-home care to medical supplies and food assistance. Preregistration is required for all Spring Into Action events, which are sponsored by Ascension Providence Rochester and Pomeroy Living, by calling (248) 656-1029.  The OPC is located at 650 Letica in Rochester. For more information, visit www.opcseniorcenter.org or call (248) 656-1403.