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Vol. 10, No. 4

April 16, 2019

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

[email protected]

For California Caregivers

SIGN OUR PETITION

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.

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).

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. 

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.

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!

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. 

For more information, and to apply to participate in IDEA, please contact  Aging with Pride, (888) 655-6646, or  [email protected].

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.

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:

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:

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

Contact: Calvin Hu, [email protected], (415) 434-3388 ext. 313

Registration: Click here

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.

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.

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.

Where: Google Community Space, Main Event Space      

188 The Embarcadero, San Francisco 94105

Cost: No Charge

Information: Crystal Madriles, [email protected]

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.)

Where: Mexican Heritage Plaza

1700 Alum Rock Avenue, San Jose 95116

Cost: No charge

Registration: Para registrarse llame a Sandra (408) 372-9919 o registrarse en la línea  tinyurl.com/SJLatinoConference2019

21st Annual Updates on Dementia Conference

Join the  Alzheimer’s Association for the largest dementia-specific ​educational conference on the West Coast. Researchers and clinicians will present the latest research on the biological, social, psychological, and cultural aspects of aging and dementia, with an emphasis on practical applications. 

When: Thursday, May 9, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Where: South San Francisco Conference Center

255 South Airport Boulevard, South San Francisco 94080

Cost: $90 (early bird) general admission, $50 (early bird) seniors (age 65+) and students (with ID)

Registration: Click here

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.

Where:  Campbell Community Center

1 West Campbell Avenue, Campbell 95008

Cost: $15 (includes lunch)

Registration: Click here

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

Tickets: Click here

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

Where:   Xenophon Therapeutic Riding Center

60 Don Gabriel Way, Orinda 94563

Cost: No charge

Registration: [email protected], (925) 377-0871

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.

Where: Campos Family Vineyards

3501 Byer Road, Byron 94514

Cost: $40 (optional $17 for lunch)

Registration: Click here

FCA’s   Facebook page   offers articles and posts of interest for family caregivers. Please follow our page at www.facebook.com/FamilyCaregiverAlliance .

Headlines From the March 2019 Caregiving Policy Digest

The entire March 2019 issue is available  here .

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.

Professional Research

Graduate Student Research

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.

Your donation makes all the difference!

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Phone: (800) 445-8106 | Email: [email protected]

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.

Visit  caregiver.org   today and  JOIN!