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Vol. 9, No. 12

December 17, 2018

Dear Friends:

Whether it’s an exciting time, or a difficult time of the year, the holiday season is upon us. The holidays can give much joy and happiness, but they can also bring added responsibilities and feelings of grief. Because of the additional demands of the season, many family caregivers understandably experience an increase in stress this time of year.

For those caregivers looking for help and advice, FCA has articles on holiday caregiving topics including stress, family dynamics, and gratitude. Our new Caregiving Through the Holidays webinar is also available to view. New and seasoned caregivers can take advantage of FCA ’s free online service FCA CareJourney. CareJourney provides quality information, support, and resources tailored to your individual situation.

On behalf of the staff, volunteers, and board of directors at FCA, I’d like to wish you all a peaceful and happy holidays.

Sincerely,

Calvin Hu

Education Coordinator

[email protected]

Support Family Caregivers and Donate to FCA This Holiday Season

For over 40 years, FCA has been working to support, educate, and advocate for family caregivers. As part of FCA’s fall fundraising appeal, we are asking for your donation to help fund FCA’s many vital low or no-cost services. These services include free caregiver consultations, informational materials, classes, retreats, advocacy work, and innovative tools like FCA CareJourney. Help support family caregivers by supporting FCA.

Please also read FCA’s Ten Ways to Help a Caregiver for ideas on how to help the caregiver in your life.

FCA Thanks The City and County of San Francisco

FCA is the recipient of a 2018 Lease Stabilization Grant. These grants help nonprofits serving the community remain in San Francisco, by subsidizing the cost of having an office in the city. Lease Stabilization Grants are awarded by the Mayor’s Nonprofit Sustainability Initiative. This initiative is led by the Office of Economic and Workforce Development in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development, the San Francisco Arts Commission, and the Northern California Community Loan Fund.

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 LGBT. 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] .

Caregiving With Your Siblings During the Holidays

“I’m really worried about the holidays. I’ve got everything under control with my Mom and Dad. Then my sisters and their families come. I tell them that Mom and Dad tire easily and to make sure the grandkids don’t exhaust them. But they don’t listen to me. Mom and Dad can’t say no, everything gets crazy, and I’m the one who has to deal with the resulting mess.”

For caregivers in a similar situation, FCA’ s blog post by Francine Russo may help you weather the arrival of visiting siblings. Ms. Russo’s advice includes accepting that there will be disruption, being comfortable with delegating tasks to siblings, and making changes to unmanageable meal traditions.

Pilot International Brain Injury Fundamentals Scholarship

The Brain Injury Association of America and Pilot International are offering scholarships to family caregivers seeking to obtain the Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists’ Brain Injury Fundamentals Certificate. Brain Injury Fundamentals was designed to help those caring for an individual with brain injury receive the best level of care. Some of the topics covered in Brain Injury Fundamentals include cognition, complications, prescription medication management, and the physical and emotional challenges that brain injury caregivers face.

For more information and scholarship eligibility criteria, please click here .

Spotlight on Millennial Caregivers With Nihal Satyadev

FCA was thrilled to interview Nihal Satyadev, Co-founder and CEO of The Youth Movement Against Alzheimer’s (YMAA) as part of National Family Caregivers Month. The interview with Mr. Satyadev includes information about YMAA, the organization’s innovative respite care program, and critical legislation YMAA is currently spearheading.

How Realistic Is Dying at Home?

A recent Stanford University study has confirmed that most Americans would prefer to die at home. Unfortunately, for the majority of Americans, this will likely be an impractical arrangement. In an article for Next Avenue, Bill Ward explains the many reasons why, contrary to our desires, most Americans will die in a medical facility or nursing home.

It Takes Two! A Refreshing Approach to Understanding and Coping With Dementia Behavior

This FREE four week class offers new skills and tools for family caregivers who care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias.

It Takes Two! offers the opportunity to learn more about your relative or friend’s ability to understand and communicate, new skills to handle troubling behavior, and how to feel more confident and positive about your caregiving role

Pre-registration is required. This class is for family caregivers specifically, not providers.

San Leandro

When: Thursdays, February 14, 21, 28, and March 7, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: San Leandro Senior Center    

13909 East 14th Street, San Leandro 94578

Cost:   No charge

Registration:  Calvin Hu,  [email protected] , (415) 434-3388 x 313

San Bruno

When: Wednesdays, March 20, 27, and April 3 and 10, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon

Where: San Bruno Senior Center, 1555 Crystal Springs Road, San Bruno 94066

Cost: No charge

Registration: Christina Irving,  [email protected] , ( 415) 434-3388 x 303

Free Adult Occupational Therapy

Samuel Merritt University’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program is offering free therapy sessions to adults seeking to improve the ability to perform an important daily activity. Examples of these activities include dressing, grooming, bathing, using the toilet, cooking, cleaning, transportation, use of the computer, and playing sports. Sessions occur over nine consecutive Monday afternoons (from February to April), focusing on improving strength or mobility.

Enrollment into this program is on a first come, first served basis. Participants must commit to attending all nine sessions.

When: Mondays, 50 minute sessions from February to April, starting at 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., or 3:30 p.m.

Where: Samuel Merritt University, 4th floor, 450 30th Street, Oakland 94609

Cost: No charge

Link: Click here

Registration: Click here

Memory Problems in Older Adults

Join On Lok Lifeways PACE for a free workshop on dementia. Participants will learn about dementia and related diseases, in addition to symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and available treatments for dementia. This workshop will be presented by On Lok Lifeways Mental Health Clinician, Samyukta Ramprasad, licensed marriage and family therapist.

 

Please RSVP to attend. Free refreshments will be served. 

When: Saturday, January 19, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Where:   On Lok Lifeways East San Jose Pace Center

130 North Jackson Avenue, San Jose 95116

Cost: No charge

Registration: (888) 886-6565

Take Charge!

Take Charge! is an advance care planning workshop by  Mission Hospice for anyone over the age of 18. At this workshop, participants will learn how to create an advance care plan. This plan includes thinking about what matters most, explaining wishes to family and friends, choosing a health care agent, writing down wishes, and sharing the plan.

Please register before attending this two-part workshop.

When: Tuesdays, January 22 and 29, from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Where:  Little House Activity Center

800 Middle Avenue, Menlo Park 94025

Cost: No charge

Registration:  Click here

FCA’s tip sheet Making End-of-Life Decisions: What Are Your Important Papers?  is a helpful summary of the legal documents needed to ensure, that if you are incapacitated, your wishes are honored.

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 November 2018 Caregiving Policy Digest

The entire November 2018 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!