Vol. 10, No. 4
April 16, 2019
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Dear Friends:
April 16 is
National Healthcare Decisions Day. This day is designed to highlight the importance of, and encourage the public to make arrangements for advance care planning. What is advance care planning? It means taking the time to think about the type of care you would want if you were unable to communicate your wishes, and taking the legal steps necessary to ensure your wishes and values are respected.
Without advance care planning, your family or partner may be forced to make serious medical decisions, relying on their own feelings or what they
think you would want. When these advance care planning arrangements are not in place, doctors will default to life saving measures, like CPR, defibrillation, ventilators, and feeding tubes, which may not be what you want. To find out more on how you can plan for an incapacitating injury or illness, please view and share FCA’s fact sheet on
Advance Health Care Directives and POLST (Physician’s Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment).
Sincerely,
Calvin Hu
Education Coordinator
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“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
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For California Caregivers
California is set to see a rapid increase in older adults over the next decade when 20 percent of the population will be over age 65. This population will be more diverse than at any other time in CA history. The estimated 4.5 million unpaid family members are the largest long-term workforce caring for older and disabled adults. The state needs to expand support to family caregivers so adults needing assistance can remain in the community and family caregivers can get the services they need to work, care, and thrive.
To help serve this growing population, the California Caregiver Resource Center (CRC) system is asking for a budget increase to triple its capabilities.
Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) is one of these CRCs. This budget increase would allow FCA to better support you, our clients. With this budget increase, the CRC system would increase use of digital technology to assist caregivers, making it easier for a caregiver to access information and resources. We would have the capacity to aid more caregivers than ever before.
The Senate Budget Subcommittee 3 has a hearing on April 25; the Assembly Budget Subcommittee has a hearing on May 6. We need
your support before these critical dates. If you live in California, please take a moment to
sign our petition and help our efforts to increase funding for the services California caregivers depend on.
Share our petition with your network on Facebook and Twitter! Click on the icons below to directly share the petition.
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Contra Costa County Family Caregiver Survey
FCA will be drafting a report on the state of family caregiving in Contra Costa County and we need your help. If you are a resident of Contra Costa County please take a moment to complete our five minute
survey, to help us inform local politicians, service providers, and non-profit organizations on your caregiving needs and challenges as a resident of Contra Costa County. All answers given will be kept confidential.
The final report will be presented during our special Caregiver Convening on Tuesday, June 25 (more details to follow).
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Workshop for Vietnamese Speaking Family Caregivers a Success
Caring for the Caregiver, a Vietnamese language workshop, took place earlier this month with speaker Oanh Meyer, PhD, MAS, Director of the Research Component at the
UC Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Center. This special half-day event brought 30+ Vietnamese speaking caregivers together to learn from experts about dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and brain health and nutrition. Caring for the Caregiver was hosted and organized by FCA Community Outreach Specialist Tony Tran. The workshop was funded by the voter approved
San Francisco Dignity Fund, and reflects the fund and FCA’s commitment to underserved communities.
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FCA is Hiring
FCA is looking for qualified and interested applicants to fill current openings in our San Francisco office. Please
click here to see available positions for Social Worker/Family Consultant – bilingual (English/Cantonese) and Social Worker/Family Consultant.
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Share YOUR Caregiving Story
Do you want to share your caregiving experience with the media? We are looking for current and former caregivers living throughout the country interested in sharing their story. Your story of caregiving can help impact the lives of countless other caregivers and care recipients.
If you would be interested in speaking with the media, please fill out our media request form:
California Caregivers |
National (49 States and Washington, D.C.). Thank you for your ongoing support!
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Aging With Pride: IDEA
IDEA (
Innovations in Dementia Empowerment and Action) is a program designed to improve the quality of life of LGBTQ adults living with memory loss and their caregivers. Participants will meet with a coach to learn exercises and strategies related to memory loss. The program includes nine in-person sessions and participants are compensated for their time.
To be eligible for IDEA, the adult with memory loss or their caregiver must be LGBTQ. Participants must live in the San Francisco, Los Angeles, or Seattle metropolitan areas.
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Hiring In-Home Help
Many people find the responsibilities of caregiving difficult to manage. A home care attendant can help with personal, household, health, or emotional care tasks. An extra set of hands may sound like an appealing solution, but home care attendants may not be the right choice for all situations. FCA’s
Hiring In-Home Help fact sheet provides advice on determining if a home care attendant is right for you, and also provides practical information needed for finding, hiring, and paying a home care attendant.
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Residential Care Options 101
Many family caregivers come to the realization that a parent or relative can no longer live safely on their own. At this point, families can face many difficult decisions. One option is moving a loved one into a residence or facility that offers the care they need. This
webinar will provide a basic overview of residential care options to help you make informed decisions.
Objectives:
- Identify the reasons residential care is needed
- Define the types of care
- Explain how to evaluate facilities and residences
- Discuss payment options
- Provide tips for coping with care transitions
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What You Need to Know About Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse
Ten percent of Americans over the age of 60 have experienced elder abuse, according to the National Council on Aging. There are many types of elder abuse including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, and financial abuse. This webinar will provide a brief overview of common trends related to elder and dependent adult abuse, common signs and symptoms to look out for in your loved ones, and ways to report abuse.
Objectives:
- Reasons older and dependent adults are vulnerable to abuse
- Common signs and symptoms of elder and dependent adult abuse
- Where to report suspicions of elder and dependent abuse
Speaker: Nicole Fernandez
Nicole Fernandez currently serves as the Training and Outreach Specialist for the Elder and Dependent Adult Protection Team (
EDAPT) of San Mateo County, California. EDAPT is a collaboration between San Mateo County’s
Aging and Adult Services division,
District Attorney’s Office,
County Counsel’s Office, and local law enforcement, tasked with preventing and prosecuting elder and dependent adult abuse. Nicole joined EDAPT at the end of 2015 after a decade-long career with the California State Legislature, where she specialized in community relations, senior services, veterans, and health policy. She has a B.A. in political science from
San Jose State University.
When: Wednesday, April 24, 11 a.m. to 12 noon (PT)
Where: ONLINE
Cost: No charge
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How to Fight an Outrageous Medical Bill, Explained
The high cost of medical treatment is a source of anxiety and worry for many Americans. In particular, patients who are insured can be blindsided by exorbitant bills for what seemed like routine and covered care. What many people do not realize is that sometimes these bills can be negotiated down, or even written-off completely. To help the public contest these charges, Vox’s Sarah Kliff shares
tips from patients who were able to successfully lower their medical bills.
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How This Medicare Loophole Can Lead to Surprise Medical Bills
Traditional Medicare (Part A) covers the cost of skilled nursing care after hospitalization, but a patient must be coded as an "admitted" inpatient at the hospital and stay three or more days. If the stay is shorter, or the patient is considered outpatient, the skilled nursing care will not be covered by Traditional Medicare. PBS New Hour columnist Phil Moeller explains in detail this potentially costly
loophole, and the political efforts to see it closed.
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CAREGIVERS CONNECT: SF BAY AREA EVENTS
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Save the Date: Young Caregiver Brunch and Tea - Honoring Modern Caregiving Needs
FCA is excited to host a special workshop for young family caregivers. We would like to bridge the gap, as well as celebrate, support, and honor your stories, despite the dearth of available information. This workshop will feature presenters speaking on topics specifically relevant to younger family caregivers, whose needs and concerns can differ from a caregiver who is older. Please mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details and information on how to RSVP.
Refreshments will be provided.
When: Saturday, June 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
188 The Embarcadero, San Francisco 94105
Cost:
No Charge
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CAREGIVERS CONNECT: SF BAY AREA PARTNER EVENTS
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6ta Conferencia Latina Anual Sobre Alzheimer (6th Annual Alzheimer
’
s Latino Conference)
Esta conferencia será presentada en español (This conference will be presented in Spanish).
Temas principales: ¿Porqué hay tantos latinos con alzheimer? entérese!, planificación para costos de cuidado futuro, armonía sin estrés,
como nutrir un cerebro saludable. Invitados especiales: Dra. Stephanie Piña-Escudero, geriatra (especialista en demencia) GBHI Memory and Aging Center-UCSF, Dr. Serggio Lanata, neurólogo – GBHI Memory and Aging Center-UCSF, Juan M. Calderón Jaimes, Cónsul General de Mexico en San Jose, CA. Invite a sus familiares, amigos y vecinos
Exámenes gratuitos de diabetes y presión arterial. ¡Desayuno y aperitivos gratuitos! ¡Todos son bienvenidos! Evento gratuito.
Déjenos saber si necesita asistencia de cuidado para adulto con demencia durante este evento.
When: Sábado, Abril 27, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. (programa comienza a las 9 a.m.)
1700 Alum Rock Avenue, San Jose 95116
Cost: No charge
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21st Annual Updates on Dementia Conference
When: Thursday, May 9, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
255 South Airport Boulevard, South San Francisco 94080
Cost: $90 (early bird) general admission, $50 (early bird) seniors (age 65+) and students (with ID)
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Ninth Annual Caregivers Count Conference
Join the
Aging Services Collaborative for a conference for families and friends caring for a loved one. This conference will connect you to resources and information to help you on your caregiving journey. Conference topics include the healing power of humor, coping with grief and loss, and information on long term care options.
Respite care grants are available through the Alzheimer’s Association. Contact (800) 272-3900 for more information.
When: Saturday, May 18, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
1 West Campbell Avenue, Campbell 95008
Cost: $15 (includes lunch)
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Mother Lear
This moving two-person play follows an irascible scholar with dementia who communicates with her daughter using only the text of King Lear, as they struggle with aging, love, and more. A discussion about aging, dementia, caregiving, and end of life will follow the performance.
When: Saturday, May 25, 3:30 p.m., and Sunday May 26, 7 p.m.
Where: Fort Mason Center Chapel
1100 Bay Street, San Francisco 94123
Cost: $30
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Equine Assisted Workshop
Xenophon Therapeutic Riding Center in collaboration with
Connected Horse is offering Equine Assisted Workshops for people with early stage dementia and their care partners. No prior horse experience is needed to participate (Participants will engage with horses from the ground; there is no riding). All participants must be ambulatory and willing to participate together.
The Connected Horse Program is based on research conducted through UC Davis School of Medicine and Center for Equine Health.
When:
Wednesdays, June 19, 26, and July 10, 17, 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon
60 Don Gabriel Way, Orinda 94563
Cost:
No charge
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Teepa Snow
—
Dementia Caregiver Conference for Professional and Family Caregivers
Join Campos Family Vineyards and
Positive Approach to Care
for a dementia caregiver conference. The featured speaker is Teepa Snow who will talk about
brain changes in dementia, using a positive approach to dementia care, and making moments of joy for those living with dementia. The conference is for both professional and family caregivers. A taco bar lunch is available for purchase. Space is limited.
When:
Friday, July 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
3501 Byer Road, Byron 94514
Cost:
$40 (optional $17 for lunch)
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Headlines From the March 2019 Caregiving Policy Digest
- Paid Family Leave: On the Radar
- States Consider Tax Credits for Caregiving
- Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable ( CARE) Act: An Update
- Overuse of Antibiotics in Older Adults
The entire March 2019 issue is available
here
.
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Do You Get Caregiving Policy Digest?
Published monthly, this e-newsletter focuses on legislation and policy, caregiving research, and media coverage of caregiving issues. The recent, issue is available
here.
Visit the
archive
for past issues and click
here
to subscribe.
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Professional Research
Graduate Student Research
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OUR SUPPORTERS: THANK YOU!
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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 40 years.
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Follow FCA on Social Media!
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101 Montgomery Street | Suite 2150 | San Francisco, CA 94104
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Visit Family Caregiver Alliance’s
NEW
online solution for secure information, support, and resources for family caregivers of adults with chronic physical or cognitive conditions.
FCA CareJourney™
provides a personalized dashboard loa
ded with inform
ation that matches your unique caregiving needs.
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Family Care Navigator
state-by-state resources
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Help support Family Caregiver Alliance by choosing FCA as your
Amazon Smile
charity.
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Connections Credits
Editors
Calvin Hu
Paria Dea
Contributors
Kathleen Kelly
Calvin Hu
Lana Sheridan
Leah Eskenazi
Executive Director
Kathleen Kelly
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FCA Board of Directors
President
Jacquelyn Kung
Vice-President
Dan Lieberman
Treasurer
Wyatt Ritchie
Secretary
Kathleen Raffel
Amanda Breeden
Athan Bezaitis
Shruti Kothari
Catherine Lelong
Rajiv Mehta
Chris Park
Scott Peifer
Tiffany Riser
Keely Stevenson
Celine Takatsuno
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