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Vol. 7, No. 4
April 18, 2016
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Dear Friends,
This month we are debuting our first mobile-friendly issue of Connections. Now you can take Connections with you on the go, optimized for mobile devices like smart phones and tablets. The inspiration behind Connections is to be a "one-stop shop" for the family caregiver, providing the latest news, information, and events. We hope with the introduction of this new format, you'll find Connections a more convenient and accessible resource as you juggle the demands of caregiving, parenting, marriage, work, leisure, health, and retirement.
As always, we welcome your comments and suggestions. Feel free to contact me directly at the email below.
Sincerely,
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“Every day may not be good ...
but there's something
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Family Paid Leave Makes Advances in New York and
San Francisco
New York State and the City of San Francisco have recently enacted expanded family leave policies. In New York, when the law takes full effect, workers will be able to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave at 67 percent of their salary (subject to a cap based on statewide average wage) if they have worked at their company for at least six months. This leave can be used to care for newborns, recently adopted children, or family members with a serious health condition.
In San Francisco, working parents will be able to take
six weeks paid parental leave
at their full pay (subject to a cap) to care for newborn infants or newly adopted children. Workers must have worked at a company of at least 20 employees for at least 180 days.
Both policies will be phased in gradually, with New York State family leave taking partial effect in 2018 with eight weeks of paid leave at 50 percent of pay (subject to the cap). San Francisco working parents will be able to take advantage of fully paid parental leave between 2017 and 2018 depending on the size of the business.
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World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). Please help spread the word about WEAAD with your family, friends, and co-workers. Help raise awareness about fighting elder abuse and advocating for elder justice. The Administration for Community Living, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has launched a website where you can take action, learn more, or plan an event in your community.
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Your Caregiving Experience is Important! 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.
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Can Alzheimer's be Stopped?
Join NOVA for an in-depth documentary on the science behind Alzheimer's disease. Explore the latest attempts at finding the cause of the disease, and the current pharmaceutical efforts at treatment and prevention. You'll also meet individuals diagnosed with the disease, and an entire family that is genetically predisposed to early onset Alzheimer's.
This special NOVA documentary can be viewed for free online at the PBS
website
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The Genius of Marian Now on Netflix
Follow Pam White and her family as they struggle to accept and adapt to her diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer's disease. In The Genius of Marian, a Gilbert Award winner, Pam's eldest son, Banker, documents her slow decline and the ambiguous loss the family faces. Pam also shares her own memories with Banker, about her childhood and her mother, painter Marian Williams Steele who was also diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
The Genius of Marian is available to stream for Netflix subscribers.
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Traumatic Brain Injury Fact Sheet
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when a blow or jolt damages the brain. TBIs can range from mild to severe and either type can cause temporary or permanent disabilities. These effects are cognitive (such as poor judgement or loss of reading skills), physical (including paralysis and seizures), or personality changes (like depression and aggression). Since members of the armed forces are at greater risk of suffering a TBI, Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers offer specialized treatment and rehabilitation centers.
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Conservatorship and Guardianship Tip Sheet
A conservator is an individual appointed by a court who manages the affairs of someone deemed incapable of doing so themselves. Family members can initiate this process, which is often expensive, slow, and cumbersome. One of the advantages of a conservator is the oversight the court exercises over the conservator's conduct when managing the affairs of the incapacitated person. FCA's tip sheet outlines the pros and cons of conservatorship and offers some less complicated alternatives.
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Values-Based Decision-Making for Caregivers: How to Negotiate Family Dynamics
Decision-making in families who care for an older person can be fraught with tensions, often stemming from differing values of family members, as well as old feelings that can re-emerge in a caregiving situation. This webinar, featuring Mary McCall, Ph.D., will present a model and tools for identifying one's own values, and those of others, so that decision-making processes can run more smoothly and with greater understanding of the diversity of views in a family. This can be between an older parent and their adult child(ren) providing care and support, or among siblings.
When: Wednesday, April 27, 11 a.m. to 12 noon, PT
Where: ONLINE
Cost: Free
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Horses Comfort People With Early Onset Dementia, Their Caregivers
Sammy Caiola writes in the Sacramento Bee about a research study
in California paring caregivers,
care receivers with early onset dementia, and horses.
The feeding, grooming, and walking of the animals serve as therapy for caregivers and care receivers as they bond with the animals and strengthen their own relationships in a simple, in-the-moment environment.
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How to Take a Vacation When You’re a Caregiver
Many caregivers are so involved in caring for a loved one that they cannot envisage a way to take a much needed vacation.
Wendy Schuman, writing for Next Avenue, gives tips and advice on how to plan a vacation for caregivers, including finding the right substitute caregiver or care setting, and being able to manage feelings of guilt.
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CAREGIVERS CONNECT: SF BAY AREA EVENTS
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Educational and Respite Retreats in San Mateo County
You are invited to join FCA for a free one-day retreat designed especially for you, family caregivers. 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 complimentary catered breakfast and lunch. R
etreats will be held in Menlo Park and Pacifica. Come to one or both.
Pre-registration is required. This retreat is specifically for family caregivers, not providers.
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
Registration: Click here
Contact: Calvin Hu, [email protected],
(415) 434-3388 x 313
Pacifica
When: Saturday, June 4, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
1500 Perez Drive, Pacifica 94044
Cost: Free
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There Must Be a Better Way Than This!
(A Special One Day Class for Dementia Caregivers)
In this Menlo Park 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.
Pre-registration is required. Group size is limited and please let us know if you have a disability and require assistance.This class is specifically for family caregivers, not providers.
When: Saturday, June 4, 9:30
a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where:
Rosener House Adult Day Services
500 Arbor Road,
Menlo Park 94025
Cost: Free
Registration: Christina Irving, [email protected], (415) 434-3388 x 303
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CAREGIVERS CONNECT: SF BAY AREA PARTNER EVENTS
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VA Palo Alto Health Care System Dementia Resource Fair
Join the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System and community partners, including FCA, for a day-long dementia resource fair. V
eterans, caregivers, and professionals are invited to receive information about adult day health care, adaptive devices, behavior management, conservatorship, home and community-based care, legal and end-of-life planning, respite services, suicide prevention, caregiver services, and more.
When: Friday, May 6, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where:
VA Menlo Park
795 Willow Road,
Building 334, Room B-200, Menlo Park 94025
Cost: Free
Contact: Kathleen McConnell, (650) 493-5000 x 65246
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Updates on Dementia Conference: Translating Research Into Practice
FCA is pleased to join the Alzheimer's Association, and community non-profit, government, and educational organizations to present the 18th Annual Updates on Dementia Conference. Tailored to health care professionals, researchers, and clinicians, this conference will present the latest research in the biological, social, psychological, and cultural aspects of aging and dementia with emphasis on practical applications for clinical practice.
When: T
uesday, May 10, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where:
Crowne Plaza Hotel
1221 Chess Drive,
Foster City 94404
Cost:
$90 general registration, $45 seniors and students
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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 35 years.
Your donation makes all the difference!
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Follow FCA on Social Media!
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785 Market Street | Suite 750 | San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: (800) 445-8106 | Email: [email protected]
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Family Care Navigator
Caregiver tool for
state-by-state resources
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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.
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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
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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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