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FCA has led the way in supporting family caregivers f or over 35 years. Your donation makes all the difference!


Connections Credits
Editors
Calvin Hu
Michelle Venegas  

Contributors
Kathleen Kelly
Calvin Hu
Lana Sheridan
Michelle Venegas
Leah Eskenazi

Communications
and Layout
Francesca Pera

Executive Director
Kathleen Kelly


Board of Directors
President
Jacquelyn Kung

Vice-President

Dan Lieberman

Treasurer
Jeff Kumataka

Athan Bezaitis
Wanda Borges
Herman S. Brown, Jr.
Tricia Dell
Ping Hao
Catherine Lelong
Rajiv Mehta
Chris Park
Scott Peifer  
Kathleen Raffel
Celeste Takatsuno  
F. Burns Vick


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Family Caregiver Alliance's fee-for-service care management currently serving the San Francisco Bay Area. Click here for further information. 
Vol. 7, No. 3
March 15, 2016
Dear Friends:

Spring is upon us. Nature is coming out of its winter slumber, as flora and fauna bloom and awaken. Even in Death Valley California, the driest area in North America, a seemingly impossible wildflower super-bloom has covered the desert.

This is the season of rebirth and renewal, so what better time to focus on self-care? Eating well, getting exercise, seeing the doctor, spending time with friends and family, taking those short, regular mental and physical pauses from caregiving, and practicing mindfulness, are all part of a healthy self-care regimen. We hope that the blooming flowers, the singing birds, the warming sun, and the sound of children at play, will inspire you to make a commitment to your own wellness, happiness, health, and renewal.   

Sincerely,

Calvin Hu
Caregiver Education Coordinator
[email protected]
QUOTE OF THE MONTH

"If you have the courage to begin, you have the courage to succeed.
"

-- David Viscott, psychiatrist and radio host  

WHAT'S NEW AT FCA
Caregiving 2.0: Innovative Directions in Data and Service Delivery
Join FCA for the latest updates on two exciting projects: the FCA Care Compass and the  Atlas of Caregiving pilot program.

The FCA Care Compass  provides online services and support to family caregivers including: intake, assessment, training, consultation, education, decision support, and related services. This session will also include the findings from the Atlas of Caregiving project that tracked and analyzed caregiver daily lives using journals, interviews, and wearable (cameras) and installed (motion sensors) technologies. 

Combined, both projects offer insights into the next generation of design relating to services and products for supporting family caregivers. 

When: Monday, March 21, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Where: Aging in America Conference 
Thurgood Marshall South
2660 Woodley Road NW,  Washington, DC 20008
2015 Alzheimer's Disease Caregiving Legacy Awards Reception at AiA16
Join FCA and The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation at a reception honoring the recipients of the 2015 Rosalinde Gilbert Innovations in Alzheimer's Disease Caregiving Legacy Awards at AiA16, the annual conference of the American Society on Aging. Representatives from the four winning organizations will be present at the reception. They include the University of Michigan Stamps School of Art & Design; Arts & Minds, New York City; California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR); and the Clerk & Comptroller's Office, Palm Beach County, Florida. For more information about the organizations and their outstanding programs, visit the Gilbert Awards webpage. Hors d'oeuvres and beverages will be served.

When: Tuesday, March 22, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Thurgood Marshall North (Mezzanine level),
2660 Woodley Road NW, Washington, DC 20008
Upcoming Family Caregiver Retreats for Residents of San Mateo County, California
FCA is hosting two educational and caregiver respite retreats in the coming months. The first will be this spring in Menlo Park, and the second will be this summer in Pacifica. The retreats are free to family caregivers in San Mateo County. Each retreat will feature educational and therapeutic presentations, free breakfast and lunch, and a lovely setting to network and share stories with other caregivers. For more information, please click here
Your Caregiving Experience is Important! Would you Like to Share Your Story Through the Media?
FCA often receives requests from the news media seeking family caregivers willing to be interviewed about their caregiving experience.  Would you be willing to share your story, as well as talk about the help you received from FCA? If so, please complete the online form to be added to the list of FCA's caregiver media ambassadors. FCA thanks you in advance for considering this request.  
INFORMATION YOU CAN USE
Fact Sheet: Personal Care Agreements
A personal care agreement is a formal contract, usually between family or relatives, that lays out what caregiving tasks will be performed, and for what level of compensation. Personal care agreements can aid in offsetting the financial burden that individuals face when caregiving for family or friends. These contracts can also help ease  stress over the often contentious issue of who is responsible for what care.
Tip Sheet: Legal Planning for Incapacity
Being incapacitated can happen to anyone at anytime. Having the proper legal documents completed and available to family and medical professionals, will ensure your wishes will be clearly articulated and followed. These documents will also spare family from having to guess your wishes in case of incapacity.  
ARTICLES FOR CAREGIVERS
Why is my Mother with Dementia so Difficult?
Symptoms of dementia may include personality changes manifesting as  combative behaviors, anger, being overly critical, extreme agitation, or unreasonableness.  Debbie Swanson writing for Next Avenue gives some tips on dealing with challenging behaviors , including some advice from FCA's Michelle Venegas, Director of Programs and Services.
Alzheimer's Disease Caregivers ask: "Am I at Risk?"
Alzheimer's disease is a frightening condition, and Alzheimer's and dementia caregivers witness the effects of these diseases in the most personal and intimate way. The question, "Will I succumb to Alzheimer's?" cannot be far from the minds of many family caregivers. Scientists are still unable to predict who will get Alzheimer's, but there are a number of steps caregivers can take to reduce their risk. Read the Caring Right at Home article to learn more.
CAREGIVERS CONNECT: SF BAY AREA EVENTS
There Must be a Better Way Than This!  A Special one day Class for Dementia Caregivers 
In this class you'll learn tips and strategies for understanding and communicating with someone affected by dementia. You'll also have the opportunity to learn how to handle difficult behaviors, how dementia affects a person's ability to understand and communicate, and how to feel more confident in your caregiving role.

When: Friday, April 22, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Where:  Richmond Annex Senior Center
5801 Huntington Avenue, Richmond 94804 
Cost: Free
Registration:  Contact Amanda Hartrey, (415) 434-3388 ext. 334. Feel free to leave a message with your name, number, and the name of this workshop.  
Link:  Click here
retreat
Educational and Respite Retreat in Menlo Park
San Mateo County residents are invited to join FCA for a free one-day retreat designed especially for you, the family caregiver. Learn about caregiver self-care and stress management, participate in therapeutic group activities, and network and share your experiences with fellow caregivers. The day will also include a complementary catered breakfast and lunch. 

Pre-registration is required. This retreat is for family caregivers specifically, not providers.  For more information about the summer Pacifica retreat, please contact Calvin Hu (see below)

When:  Monday, May 9, 9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where:  Vallombrosa Center
250 Oak Grove Avenue,  Menlo Park 94025
Cost: Free -- Open to residents of San Mateo County only
Registration: Contact Calvin Hu, (415) 434-3388 ext. 313, [email protected]
Link: Click here

CAREGIVERS CONNECT: SF BAY AREA PARTNER EVENTS
Dementia Awareness: A Path for Families
Spend an evening with Seniors At Home for a panel discussion for new dementia caregivers. At this panel, you will learn h ow to recognize the signs of dementia, new c ommunications strategies, i nformation on medication management, and u nderstanding memory care communities.
  
Pre-registration is required. Complimentary light dinner provided by Rhoda Goldman Plaza. 1.5 CEU hours offered for $10 to qualified licences.

When:  Tuesday, March 29, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
2150 Post Street, San Francisco 94115 
Cost:  Free
Registration:  Click here 
Contact: Michelle Dowds Javid, [email protected]
Creative Aging Story Weaving
Join the the Contemporary Jewish Museum and instructor Liz Nichols for TimeSlips, a specially developed storytelling technique designed for adults with memory loss and their caregivers. TimeSlips uses improvisation, imagination, and open ended questions to create a fun and collaborative group story. 

Space is limited, pre-registration recommended

When: Tuesday, April 5, 11 a.m. to 12 noon
736 Mission Street, San Francisco 94103
Cost:  Free
Registration:  ( 415) 655-7856
Link: Click here
The Art of Aging Gracefully Resource Fair
Join the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, local businesses, and non-profit organizations for a day of discovery, resources, and information. Sponsor UCSF Medical Center will present on numerous topics including: posture, wellness, nutrition, and overmedication.

Pre-registration is recommended.

When: Thursday, April 7, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where:  Jewish Community Center of San Francisco
3200 California Street, San Francisco 94118
Cost: Free
Registration: Click here
3rd Annual Alzheimer's Latino Conference
At this conference, presented by the Alzheimer's Association, you will have the opportunity to learn about the connection between Alzheimer's and diabetes, how to plan for long-term care, caregiver grief and guilt, how to manage difficult behaviors, and resources available in the community.

Breakfast and lunch will be provided. For adult care or childcare during the event, contact Sandra (408) 372-9919.

When: Saturday, April 9, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
2039 Kammerer Avenue, San Jose 95116
Cost:  Free
Link:  Click here
Contact:   (800) 272-3900

6th Annual Caregivers Count! Conference
The Aging Services Collaborative of Santa Clara County is pleased to host  Caregivers Count!, a free conference for families and friends caring for an aging loved one. At the conference, you will learn about self-care and stress management, dementia communication, navigating changes in care, and nutrition and wellness.

Respite grants may be available through the Alzheimer's Association with advanced notice. Call (800) 272-3900 for an application.

Seating is limited and registration is required. RSVP must be received by April 1.

When:  Saturday, April 16, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
1 West Campbell Avenue, Campbell 95008
Cost: Free
Registration: Click here
Contact: (408) 634-9708  
RESEARCH REGISTRY
OUR SUPPORTERS: THANK YOU!
We would like to take a moment to extend a warm thank you to the many generous supporters who make the work we do possible through thoughtful donations to Family Caregiver Alliance.

FCA has led the way in supporting family caregivers for over 35 years.
Your donation makes all the difference!


785 Market Street | Suite 750 | San Francisco, CA 94103
(800) 445-8106 | [email protected] | www.caregiver.org