Connect your patients' or clients' caregivers to 1:1 support
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***
Good afternoon,
Recent news here in California was disheartening to hear: Just as we were all moving toward reopening, coronavirus cases surged and our governor had to roll back reopening plans.
Individuals and businesses are struggling to adjust, as are the health care and social service organizations that serve our communities. Here at FCA, we are open and supporting caregivers of individuals living with chronic or disabling health conditions — from our home to theirs — via telephone and video chat and through online webinars, engaging classes, support groups and more.
As providers and service organizations, we're all in this together — trying to meet client and patient needs while navigating challenges arising from the pandemic. As hard as that is, we also believe that in that challenge lies an opportunity for us to partner more closely in service of those we support. In that spirit, we're pleased to bring you partnership opportunities below as well as a range of resources and information for caregivers.
Caregivers can contact us directly for assistance, or you can send us a referral on behalf of the caregiver of your client/patient via
phone, fax,
email
or through our
website
. A
ll of our services are free or low-cost.
We look forward to helping you and the families you serve!
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Thank you,
Christina Irving, LCSW
Client Services Director
Family Caregiver Alliance
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Below are some common questions we hear from providers who want to know more about respite care services for caregivers of their clients or patients.
What is it?
Respite care offers caregivers with temporary relief – a respite – from the constant demands and challenges of giving care. It might take the form of in-home care by home care health aides or out-of-home care in settings such as adult day care or skilled nursing or assisted living facilities.
What respite services does FCA provide?
We offer a range of options for caregivers with brief or emergent needs. Because respite funding amounts vary by county of residence and caregiver eligibility, FCA works with caregivers to assess their need and situation, and help them craft a care plan.
Is there a location requirement?
FCA’s respite services are available to caregivers in the 6 counties of the San Francisco Bay Area (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara).
How much respite is available?
Respite varies according to each individual caregiver and their situation. The first step in the process is for caregivers to have an assessment with an FCA Family Consultant to determine eligibility. If the caregiver is approved, a grant amount will be determined based on available funding (there is no standard amount). The Consultant works in partnership with the caregiver through this entire process.
How do I refer a caregiver to FCA?
You can fax a referral (download form
here
), call us at (415) 434-3388 x331 or (800) 445-8106, or email us at
info@caregiver.org
. Caregivers can also email or call us directly, or begin their intake online
here
.
Need more information about respite? See our FAQs (question #4)
here
.
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Resources Round-Up:
3 of our most popular resources for caregivers
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These materials have been viewed more than 75,000 times by caregivers and visitors to our
website
— feel free to share them and spread this valuable info.
Visit our
Learning Center
to access hundreds of articles, webinars, tip sheets and other resources. Caregivers can also sign up for our
Connections
newsletter to have news and updates delivered straight to their inbox.
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FCA's Webinar Archive:
80+ on-demand videos all about caregiving
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Our newly redesigned
webinar archive
m
akes it easier for family caregivers to search and stream videos covering a wide range of caregiving topics.
Our webinars give viewers practical strategies and guidance that educate and support those who are caring for an individual living with a chronic or disabling health condition.
Each video is led by one or more experts — from nurses and physicians to social workers, business leaders and other professionals. All webinars are available free and on-demand.
New videos are posted regularly — check the
calendar
for upcoming topics.
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Upcoming Online Events for Caregivers
All are free unless otherwise noted
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For San Francisco Bay Area caregivers
Young Adult Caregivers Support Group
— via Zoom (
1st & 3rd Thursdays — 6-7:30pm PT
).
F
ocuses on the needs of family and friend caregivers under the age of 40. Participants can connect with other caregivers to get support and learn strategies & caregiving tips. Register
here
.
Spanish Speaking Support Group
— via telephone (3rd Thursday of the month, 2-3pm PT).
Designed for Spanish-speaking family caregivers to share their experience, advice and support for other caregivers. For info or to register, contact Adriana Sanchez, (415) 434-3388 x316,
asanchez@caregiver.org
.
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For caregivers anywhere
Know Your Medicare Rights and Exercise Them: How Livanta Can Advocate for You
— online webinar (Wednesday, July 29, 11am-12pm PT).
Medicare includes many rights and free services that not all beneficiaries understand. Livanta, a Medicare-contracted Quality Improvement Organization, has partnered with FCA to create this webinar which helps participants:
* Learn about free support, advocacy and assistance after a hospital discharge.
* Find ways to get healthcare assistance.
* Learn how to file a complaint or appeal.
COVID-19 Related Scams and Where to Get Help
— online webinar (Thursday, July 30, 1-2pm PT).
Scammers are exploiting the fear and isolation people are feeling during the pandemic. This webinar provides information to help protect caregivers and their families:
* Learn about common scams, how they work & the red flags.
* Understand how scammers target & reach their victims.
* Learn how to report scams.
>> See
full calendar
listings
here
— free classes, webinars, support groups and more.
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We believe in partnering with like-minded, mission-driven organizations to bring resources, expertise and support to more people in our community.
Here are some recent events in which FCA and peer service organizations joined forces to bring our combined knowledge to a wider audience:
Take Charge
-
A tra
ining on advance care planning (with Mission Hospice). Series forthcoming, but project history
here
.
Let's Get Away, Together!
- A 12-part armchair travel series for caregivers (with The Hummingbird Project & Sage Eldercare Solutions).
If you or your organization has an idea for partnering, please
email us
or fill out our
online form
. We find that the most successful events are ones that answer a specific need. For instance, what are the trends you’re seeing in caregiving needs? Or, as a provider, are there caregiving topics you think the provider community could benefit from? We'd love to hear your ideas for a webinar, class or other online event.
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We respect your inbox, so we send our e-News Update out every 1-2 months. But between issues, we are still hosting and sharing plenty of activities, classes, webinars and new resources for caregivers.
Stay in the know by following us on any or all of our social media channels — and be sure to share them with others who can benefit!
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As your partner in supporting family caregivers, we’re here to help the spouses, partners, adult children and friends who are caring for your adult patients or clients with chronic health conditions.
We provide family caregivers with resources, tools and 1:1 assistance tailored to their specific caregiving needs. All services are
free
or
low-cost
. Learn more about what we offer by clicking
here
.
FCA values helping caregivers from all communities, cultures and also those who speak a language(s) other than English. Please
contact us
if you know of someone who could benefit from receiving help. Caregiver information is available on
www.caregiver.org
in Spanish, Chinese (Cantonese & Mandarin), Tagalog, Vietnamese and Korean.
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Get in Touch Today
Connect caregivers to personalized support & caregiving resources
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>> Contact us:
Phone
(800) 445-8106
toll free
(415) 434-3388
(extension 331)
Email
Fax a referral to
(415) 434-3508
Download the referral fax form
here
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>> Or let caregivers contact us directly by phone or
online
:
It's easy, fast and only a
click away
.
Caregivers can go online to answer a 15-minute questionnaire that gets them services and answers quickly. They can also set up time to talk with our staff at their convenience.
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ABOUT Family Caregiver Alliance
FCA’s mission is to improve the quality of life for family caregivers and those who receive their care. Our work intersects three key areas: caregiver services, policy, and research. Learn more
here
and
here
. Although a nationally-recognized organization, San Francisco-established FCA has deep roots and community partnerships in the Bay Area.
FCA supports and assists caregivers of adults with chronic or disabling health conditions regardless of race, ancestry, national origin, creed, gender, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, income, or age.
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