Vol. 9, No. 8
August 15, 2018
Dear Friends:

Have you visited FCA on social media recently? One of the easiest ways to stay up-to-date on the events, and important stories that affect you, the caregiver, is to like FCA’s Facebook page and follow FCA’s twitter account. When you connect with FCA on social media, you’ll receive information on FCA classes and retreats, national and local news on caregiving, innovative programs, and the latest about legislation and policy that will affect caregivers.

FCA is continually working to provide family caregivers with the best online, on-demand tools and resources to improve their quality of life, and the quality of life of the person for whom they are providing care. For information on medical conditions, caregiving questions, and local resources, please join FCA CareJourney, a free online tool that provides personalized information about your unique caregiving situation.


Sincerely,

Calvin Hu
Education Coordinator
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?”

 Vincent van Gogh
WHAT’S NEW AT FCA
Updated FCA Fact Sheet on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) attacks nerve cells causing loss of muscle control and muscle atrophy. While the disease may bring about total paralysis, in most cases those living with ALS maintain all of their cognitive abilities. FCAs ALS fact sheet has been recently updated and includes information on the symptoms, treatment, and management of the disease.
Ten Updated Spanish Fact Sheets for Caregivers

FCA has recently updated ten Spanish fact sheets on a number of topics for family caregivers. Some of these include: Cuidado 101: Ser un Cuidador (Caregiving 101: On Being a Caregiver), Guía para Cuidarse a Si Mismo (A Guide to Taking Care of Yourself), Guía del Cuidador para Entender los Comportamientos de la Demencia (Caregivers Guide to Understanding Dementia Behavior), and Lo Que es lo Que Cada Cuidador Necesita Saber Sobre el Dinero (What Every Caregiver Needs to Know About Money). To view all the available fact sheets in Spanish, please visit FCA s website.
Gilbert Caregiving Legacy Award Winner Releases New PSA for Memory Care Cafés   

Jewish Family & Children’s Service, a 2017 Rosalinde Gilbert Caregiving Legacy Award winner, has released a PSA introducing their Percolator Memory Café Network program across Massachussetts. Memory Cafés originated in the Netherlands and are designed to help those living with dementia and their caregivers socialize and make new friends in a safe, understanding environment. Memory Cafés are gaining popularity in the United States and can include activities, presentations, and performances.

The PSA can be viewed in either English or Spanish. Please share it with interested family, friends, or co-workers.
INFORMATION YOU CAN USE
Can I Get Paid to Care for a Family Member?

The most common question FCA is asked by family caregivers is, “C an I get paid to care for a family member? Unfortunately, there are very few programs that will provide such payments, either long or short-term. To determine what options you may have to help offset the costs of caregiving, please visit FCA ’s FAQ (frequently asked questions).
Primer On Medigap Coverage

Medigap is supplemental insurance that will cover some costs that Medicare does n’t, such as copays and deductible payments. Only those enrolled in Medicare (not Medicare Advantage) can purchase a Medigap policy. Unfortunately, Medigap plans are only required to be offered during a narrow window when an individual is first eligible for Medicare. After this window, private companies do not have to offer Medigap insurance, and if they do, they may exclude those with preexisting conditions. To help avoid unexpected surprises, Kaiser Health News has published a helpful primer on Medigap coverage.
ARTICLES FOR CAREGIVERS
A Hospital’s Human Touch: Why Taking Care in Discharging a Patient Matters 

Discharge planning is the process of determining what is needed for a patient to smoothly move from one level of care to another, from a hospital to back home for example. In an article for Kaiser Health News, Judith Graham explains that good discharge planning can reduce the time needed to recover, and helps in avoiding readmission. Importantly, Ms. Graham also details how many facilities are failing patients and their caregivers with poor discharge planning that is uncoordinated and haphazard, failing to provide needed training, information, or follow-up.

For more information, please read FC A’s Hospital Discharge Planning: A Guide for Families and Caregivers fact sheet.
Stan Lee Needs Saving, Not by a Superhero, but by a Conservator 

Stan Lee, comic book legend and co-creator of famous characters like Spider-Man, Daredevil, Black Panther, and the X-Men, has been in the news as the alleged victim of financial elder abuse. Forbes contributors Danielle and Andy Mayoras detail the ongoing legal battles surrounding Mr. Lee, and importantly, recommend he be appointed a conservator. A conservator is a court appointed and court supervised individual who will manage the financial or personal affairs of an adult who can no longer manage these on their own.

For more information, please read FCA’s Conservatorship and Guardianship fact sheet. 
CAREGIVERS CONNECT: SF BAY AREA EVENTS
Communicating and Advocating With Medical Professionals

Navigating our health care system for the first time can be a daunting experience, often leaving family caregivers confused and frustrated. This workshop will help to clarify the current realities of the health care experience for caregivers. Participants will learn to use effective communication techniques and powerful communication tools to become better health care advocates for the persons for whom they are caring. 

When: Wednesday,  August 22, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon
925 Main Street, Half Moon Bay 94019
Cost: No charge
Registration: Calvin Hu,  chu@caregiver.org, (415) 434-3388 x 313
CAREGIVERS CONNECT: SF BAY AREA PARTNER EVENTS
Zero Weeks Film Screening and Panel Discussion

The United States is only one of two countries without a paid family leave law. Zero Weeks examines the precarious financial situation many American families and individuals face when having to choose between holding onto their job and caregiving, bonding with a child, or recovering from illness. Zero Weeks draws upon personal stories, and interviews with economists and policy makers, to make the case for paid family leave for all workers in the United States.

Light refreshments served at 6 p.m. Speakers and panelists include: Ben Bartlett (Berkeley City Council), Netsy Firestein (Center for American Progress), Clarissa Doutherd (Parent Voices – Oakland), Holly Esler (UC Berkeley School of Public Health), Molly Curley O Brien (the Office of Assemblymember Tony Thurmond), and Renata Moreira (Our Family Coalition).

When: Thursday, August 16, starting at 6 p.m.
2939 Ellis Street, Berkeley 94703
Cost: No charge
Registration: Click here
家族介護者 サポートグループ (Kimochi Family Caregiver Support Group)

ラフターヨガ(笑いヨガ)は、 1995 年にインドで始まり、今では世界中に広まっています。脳は作り笑いと本物の笑いを区別できないという説を元に、ユーモアや冗談に頼らず声を出して笑うことによって新鮮な酸素を体内に取り入れる、主に呼吸法によるリラクゼーション及び健康法です。参加する際、柔軟性やヨガの経験者である必要はありません。 年齢層や健康状態にかかわらず、皆さまに楽しんでいただけるエクササイズです。

Kimochi’s FCSP は毎日家族や知人の介護をされている皆様が、同じ立場の方とお話しすることでストレスを発散したり、情報交換をするためのサポートグループです。

参加費は無料です。事前予約は必要ありません。参加者は無償で家族やお友達の介護をしている方に限ります。

ご質問のある方は、気持会バーマン由美までお電話415-931-2275、又は電子メール yberman@kimochi-inc.org までご連絡ください。

Kimochi’s Family Caregiver Support Program seeks to assist unpaid family caregivers offering support groups, training, and counseling. The Family Caregiver Support Group is for family caregivers and friends, and features a different topic or activity each month. Groups are available in English and Japanese. The activity for August is Laughter Yoga.

RSVP is not required, but recommended. Participants must be non-professional family caregivers caring for family or friends.  

When: Tuesday, August 21, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Where:   Kimochi Office, 2nd Floor Conference Room 
1715 Buchanan Street, San Francisco 94115 
Cost: No charge
Contact: Katherine Xiong, kxiong@kimochi-inc.org , (415) 931-2275
Movies@Mission Hospice: States of Grace

States of Grace is an award winning documentary film in which physician Grace Dammann reckons with severe disabilities and reinvents her life’s purpose after surviving a catastrophic car crash in 2008. T he film is a must-see for caregivers and those who struggle with physical challenges. A discussion featuring Dr. Dammann and FCA will follow the screening.

Reserve a seat  online or by calling (650) 532-2396. Movies@Mission Hospice is part of a FREE series of films  about how we live and die.

When: Thursday, August 23 , from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where:   Mission Hospice Office
1670 South Amphlett Boulevard #300, San Mateo 94402
Cost: No charge
Contact: Susan Barber, (650) 532-2396
Annual Disability Film Festival in Santa Rosa

The public is invited to attend the 9th Annual Disability Outdoor Film Festival , sponsored by the Disability Services & Legal Center , and Earle Baum Center . Short films will be screened that highlight different aspects of living with a disability. This yea r’s festival headline feature is States of Grace . Dr. Grace Dammann, the subject of States of Grace, and filmmaker Mark Lipman will be in attendance.
  
Blankets and lawn chairs are welcome, and concession stands with snacks, wine, and refreshments will be available. All proceeds to benefit festival sponsors Disability Services & Legal Center and Earle Baum Center.

When: Saturday, August 25, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Where:   Earle Baum Center
4539 Occidental Road, Santa Rosa 95401
Cost: $10 (pay at the door)
Contact: Inga Lizdenyte, Inga@myDSLC.org , (707) 528-2745 x 313
Legacy Film Festival on Aging 

The mission of the  Legacy Film Series  is to educate and entertain audiences of all ages about the issues surrounding aging. Now in it’s eighth year, the 2018 Legacy Film Festival on Aging showcases shorts, documentaries, and narrative stories that include: Candelaria, Three Boys Manzanar, A Marriage Story, and Abe and Phil’s Last Poker Game.

Advance tickets are recommended as some programs are expected to sell out.

When: Friday, September 14 to Sunday, September 16
1746 Post Street, San Francisco 94115
Cost: $11.34 (online purchase) or $13.41 (door) per program, $52.74 (online purchase), or $57.92 (door) for all eight programs. Click here to purchase tickets.
Mindful Family Caregiver Series

Zen Hospice Project has created a unique education program specifically for family caregivers that teaches a variety of practices that will help family caregivers maintain their health, reinforce their courage, and sustain their energy. Subjects covered will include, recognizing the caregiver experience, working with caregiving challenges, healing and resilience throughout caregiving, and finding community in caregiving.

When: Fridays, September 14 and 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: San Francisco, TBD
Cost: $150 (discounted), $300 (general)
Registration:  Click here
FCA FACEBOOK FLASH
FCA’s   Facebook page   offers articles and posts of interest for family caregivers. Please follow our page at www.facebook.com/FamilyCaregiverAlliance .
CAREGIVER POLICY
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.
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 40 years. Your donation makes all the difference!
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Connections Credits
   
Editors
Calvin Hu
Francesca Pera

Contributors
Kathleen Kelly
Calvin Hu
Lana Sheridan
Michelle Venegas
Leah Eskenazi

Executive Director
Kathleen Kelly
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