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Vol. 8, No. 8
August 16, 2017
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Dear Friends:
Autumn is right around the corner. Crisp, cool air is coming and for caregivers with children, the merciful return to school. While the work of caregiving doesn’t take a break, we hope you’ve been able to find some time to enjoy the summer with family and friends.
At FCA, we’ve also been hard at work supporting caregivers. Locally, a number of
fall
workshops and classes are open to San Francisco Bay Area caregivers, in addition to our August
Camp for Caring
. We are also excited to be working with the City of San Francisco to provide specialized caregiver services to underserved communities as part of the voter approved
Dignity Fund
. For those across the country and state, FCA will be doing a free August
webinar
for dementia caregivers. We hope you’ll join us.
FCA is also an advocate for caregivers. To fulfill this mission, FCA Executive Director Kathleen Kelly along with FCA's
National Center on Caregiving
have opposed, and
will continue to oppose any attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Through
blog
and
social media
posts, we strive to help family caregivers understand the direct impact of a repeal to healthcare and cuts to Medicaid.
As you continue on your caregiving journey, please don’t hesitate to
contact us
.
Sincerely,
Calvin Hu
Education Coordinator
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“What the caterpillar calls the end, the rest of the world calls a butterfly.”
― Lao Tzu
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FCA Executive Director Statement on Senate Action on Repeal of Affordable Care Act: Thank You
“Last night, the current version of the Republican-led repeal and replace of the ACA—the Healthcare Freedom Act—failed by a dramatic vote cast by Senator John McCain joining with the stalwart opposition of Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski. These three Republican Senators voted with the Democrats to halt efforts to disrupt the current healthcare policies of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that have extended healthcare and community-based long-term care to millions more Americans. We would like to thank Senators Collins, McCain, and Murkowski and the 48 Democratic Senators for standing with American families, children, adults with disabilities, and older adults with chronic health conditions in support of expanded healthcare across the country.
While last night’s vote was the critical decision point in the battle to retain the ACA, we also want to acknowledge the persistent and heroic efforts of ordinary people doing extraordinary advocacy.”
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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 about their caregiving experience. Would you be willing to share your story, as well as talk about the help you received from Family Caregiver Alliance? 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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Apply Now for the 2017 Rosalinde Gilbert Caregiving Legacy Awards
FCA is seeking innovative Alzheimer's/dementia programs that support caregiving for awards of $20,000 each. The Caregiving Legacy Awards are possible thanks to the generous and continuing support of
The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation.
The Caregiving Legacy Award categories include: Creative Expression, Diverse/Multicultural Communities, and Policy and Advocacy.
For more information or to apply online, visit
caregiver.org/gilbert-awards
.
The application deadline is Monday September 11, 2017, 5 p.m. (Pacific Time).
Past applicants are encouraged to apply again.
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FCA CareJourney: Online Service for Family Caregivers
For the first time, caregivers like you—who are caring for adult loved ones with chronic, disabling health conditions—have access to valuable information, resources, and support tailored specifically to your unique caregiving situation. It’s free, completely private, and accessible by computer or mobile device 24/7.
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Enroll in the SHARE program
FCA is seeking San Francisco Bay Area family caregivers to enroll in the SHARE program. Over the course of five face-to-face home visits, SHARE will help you get the most out of today while planning for tomorrow. The goals of SHARE include learning effective communication skills, reducing stress, promoting health, and receiving education on long-term care management. The SHARE program is offered at no charge.
SHARE is specifically for caregivers of adults (close family or partner/spouse), with a confirmed diagnosis of a chronic health condition, 60 or older, living at home
,
and with intact cognitive abilities. Eligible conditions for SHARE include, but are not limited to: heart disease, diabetes, COPD, arthritis, kidney disease, stroke, or HIV-AIDS.
Care receivers with a neurocognitive disorder, a mental health condition, traumatic brain injury, or are in the terminal phrase of their condition, are unfortunately not eligible.
Please contact
(415) 434-3388
for more information.
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San Francisco LGBT Dementia Care Project Training
Now entering its second year, the LGBT Dementia Care Project is a collaboration between FCA, the
Alzheimer’s Association
, and
Openhouse
. Free training for health and social service providers in San Francisco is being offered on the dementia care needs of LGBT seniors. Training topics include understanding dementia, LGBT caregiver concerns, compassionate communications, and best and better practices. Free CEUs are available for RN, LVN, CNA, HHA, LMFT, LCSW, NHAP, and RCFEs
.
For more information and to schedule a training, please contact
Pauline Martinez
or call (408) 372-9951.
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Residential Care Options: Five Tip Sheets
Caregivers can reach a time where the person for whom they provide care can no longer live at home safely. The importance most people place on home and community make the decision of moving a loved one or family member to residential care both difficult and stressful.
To help you when faced with this choice, FCA has
five updated Tip Sheets
on residential care. These include information and advice on the
right time
to move a relative, what the
options
are, how to
choose
a residential care facility, how your caregiving will
change
(but not end), and information on visiting a relative in
dementia care
.
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Grit, Grace, and Resilience: The Story of Successful Caregiving
Caring for someone with dementia is a demanding and enduring challenge. It takes our best selves and all the support we can get from those in our communities. This webinar is a reflection on ways those who provide care can sustain their health and well-being throughout the caregiving journey. Participants will learn why accepting the situation is important, identify three tools to help balance safety and independence, and learn healthy coping strategies.
When:
Wednesday, August 30, 11 a.m. to 12 noon (PT)
Where:
ONLINE
Cost:
No Charge
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When Caregivers Fall Out of Love
Spousal caregivers are husbands or wives who are caring for their partner. Chronic illness, dementia, and frailty can cause changes in personality, cognition, or loss of mobility. Years of shared experiences, intimacy, and companionship now no longer enjoyed by partners can make spousal caregiving particularly difficult. Barry J. Jacobs, writing for AARP, gives some
suggestions
on how to navigate a situation with no simple answers.
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Another Possible Indignity of Age: Arrest
Americans 55 and older are being arrested at increasingly higher rates, and police may lack the knowledge and experience to
appropriately respond
to these often specialized calls.
The New York Times’ Paula Span explains how medical conditions that mostly affect older Americans can give police the impression of resistance and non-compliance. Dementia, hearing loss, and frailty are some of the unfamiliar ailments police are now facing. The article also highlights a unique police training program on how to deal with seniors, developed by the University of California, San Francisco.
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CAREGIVERS CONNECT: SF BAY AREA EVENTS
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Taking Care of SoMEone Else
One of the greatest challenges for family caregivers is maintaining their own physical and emotional health while caring for another. All too often, caregivers neglect their well-being, focusing solely on the person for whom they are providing care.
In this workshop, family caregivers will examine why those who care for others often feel sad, guilty, and alone, and how to change these feelings. Participants will also learn tools to effectively self-advocate, reduce stress, and change negative thinking.
Pre-registration is required. This class is specifically for family caregivers, not providers.
When:
Wednesday, September 13, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
500 Arbor Road, Menlo Park 94025
Cost:
No Charge
Registration:
contact Rosener House, (650) 322-0126
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Long Term Care Planning for Caregivers
Family caregivers and the person for whom they are providing care often face emotional and economic stress when long-term care is needed. A properly drafted estate plan will help reduce these stresses by providing the tools needed to navigate through the system. This workshop will provide the basics of estate planning, long-term care planning, and public benefits, covering topics such as wills and trusts, finance and health powers, and taxes.
Pre-registration is required. This class is specifically for family caregivers, not providers.
When:
Thursday, September 21, 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m
800 Middle Avenue, Menlo Park 94025
Cost:
No Charge
Registration:
contact Little House, (650) 326-2025
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Foro Latino (Spanish Speaking Caregiver Conference)
Una conferencia gratis para familiares y amigos que cuidan a un ser querido con demencia o una persona mayor con enfermedades crónicas. Aprenda de los expertos, participe en actividads terapéuticas en grupo, y disfrute de desayuno gratuito.
Fecha:
Sábado, Octubre 7, 8:30 a.m. a 12:45 p.m.
50 Broad Street, San Francisco 94112
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It Takes Two! A Refreshing Approach to Understanding and Coping With Dementia Behavior
This four-week class offers skills and tools for family caregivers, friends, or partners who care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. It Takes Two! offers the opportunity to learn more about your relative or friend’s ability to understand and communicate, as well as skills to handle troubling behavior and how to feel more confident and positive about your caregiving role.
Pre-registration is required. Please let us know if you have a disability and require specific accommodations
.
This class is specifically for family caregivers, not providers.
When:
Thursdays, October 12, 19, 26, and November 2, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m
13909 E 14th Street, San Leandro 94578
Cost:
No Charge
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CAREGIVERS CONNECT: SF BAY AREA PARTNER EVENTS
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Legacy Film Festival on Aging
When:
Friday to Sunday, September 15 to 17, times vary
1746 Post Street, floor B1F, San Francisco 94115
Cost:
Prices to be announced
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Dementia Awareness: A Path for Families
This panel discussion, by
Seniors At Home
, will feature expert advice from social workers, lawyers, physicians, and dementia experts. Participants will learn to identify the signs of dementia, understand its symptoms and behaviors, and get information on resources and support for caregivers.
When:
Tuesday, October 17, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
4249 El Camino Real, Palo Alto 94306
Cost:
No
charge
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Do you get Caregiving Policy Digest?
Are you interested in following the ongoing debate over healthcare and the potential cuts to Medicaid that will impact family caregivers? Look no further than FCA’s Caregiving Policy Digest. Published monthly, this e-newsletter focuses on legislation (federal and state) and policy, caregiving research, and media coverage of caregiving issues. The recent, August 7, 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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PCORI Peer Review Seeking Caregiver Reviewers for Research Reports
The
Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)
is currently seeking caregivers to perform peer review on several upcoming studies. In addition, as new studies covering a broad range of topics are being funded all the time, we encourage anyone interested to apply. Reviewers are provided online training, receive a $50 honorarium, and are thanked in the annual PCORI publication. The goal of peer review is to ensure that the primary research studies funded by PCORI are held to the highest standards of scientific integrity, methodological rigor, and relevance and usefulness to patients, caregivers, clinicians, and other healthcare stakeholders. Click here to learn more about
PCORI Peer Review
.
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OUR SUPPORTERS: THANK YOU!
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We would like 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.
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Follow FCA on Social Media!
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235 Montgomery Street | Suite 950 | 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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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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Help support Family Caregiver Alliance by choosing FCA as your
Amazon Smile
charity.
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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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FCA Board of Directors
President
Jacquelyn Kung
Vice-President
Dan Lieberman
Treasurer
Jeff Kumataka
Athan Bezaitis
Catherine Lelong
Rajiv Mehta
Chris Park
Scott Peifer
Kathleen Raffel
Wyatt Ritchie
Celine Takatsuno
F. Burns Vick
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