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Vol. 8, No. 2
February 16, 2017
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Dear Friends:
Family caregivers, like Americans in general, have turned to digital content, and online services to gather information about diagnoses, resources, programs, and services.
To better serve busy caregivers like you,
FCA recently launched FCA CareJourney. CareJourney is a secure online solution for quality information, support, and resources for family caregivers of adults with chronic physical or cognitive conditions like Alzheimer’s, stroke, Parkinson’s, or other disabling illnesses. FCA’s CareJourney is
accessible from a personal computer, or mobile device.
This month, FCA would like to announce an additional tool for overwhelmed family caregivers, the Smart Patients Caregivers Community.
Smart Patients Caregivers Community offers online peer to peer support
where family caregivers can pool their hard earned knowledge, share tips, and provide emotional support to fellow caregivers.
CareJourney members can join t
he Smart Patients Caregiver Community through their CareJourney dashboard. Caregivers can also join Smart Patients via the FCA website.
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“
The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.
”
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FCA CareJourney, a Secure, Online Service for Family Caregivers
FCA CareJourney is a new online application created with you in mind, the family caregiver. CareJourney is for caregivers who struggle to find a block of uninterrupted time during weekday work hours to look up resources, find information on local programs, or want to learn more about caregiving or the condition that affects their loved one.
CareJourney provides this information when convenient for you, day or night via computer or mobile device.
To become a member, simply create an account, and answer a short questionnaire to get access to a personalized dashboard with articles, fact sheets, videos, webinars, and local and national resources tailored to your unique caregiving situation.
CareJourney is provided at no charge to family caregivers.
Please visit the FCA website to become a CareJourney member today.
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New Online Support Community at Smart Patients
FCA has partnered with Smart Patients, an online community for patients and caregivers, with the online Caregivers Community.
Family caregivers and other loved ones can join the community at no charge to share, interact, and learn from one another in a safe, supportive environment.
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Webinar for Military Caregivers — Eight Steps to Caregiver Empowerment, Growth, and Well-Being
Military caregiving can lead to a gradual loss of sense of self, cause mental and physical strain, and engender feelings of powerlessness. This webinar is presented by
Debbie Sprague, a military caregiver who experienced those very feelings, but was able to take her life back, through personal empowerment, growth, and self-care. This webinar will help military caregivers learn the hard lessons Debbie Sprague had to learn, and create a life that works for self and family, while
while continuing to honor the veteran to whom they provide care.
The Military Caregiving Webinar Series is presented by
Easterseals, with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, and partners include FCA.
When:
Thursday, February 23, 11 am to 12 noon (PT)
Where: Online
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Many Faces of Caregiving Exhibit
Celebrates Caregiver Resource Centers
Anniversary
The California Caregiver Resource Centers (CRCs), of which FCA is a part, have celebrated their 30th anniversary. The exhibit,
“The Many Faces of Caregiving,” honored over 4.5 million Californians
who provide unpaid care for a family member or friend. The exhibit was on display at the
Annex Hallway of the State Capitol Building in Sacramento and highlighted the personal stories of nine family caregivers throughout the state of California who had each sought support and services from their local CRC.
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Caregiver Satisfaction Survey Coming to San Francisco Bay Area Caregivers
During the past year, have you talked with an FCA Family Consultant, attended a caregiver skill-building class or workshop, received a grant for respite, legal-financial assistance or therapeutic counseling, or had a family member attend Camp for Caring in the San Francisco Bay Area? We want to know, were the service(s) you received helpful for your caregiving situation? Please let us know by completing the brief caregiver satisfaction survey that will arrive soon to your email inbox or in your postal mail. Many thanks in advance for taking the time to give us your valuable feedback!
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Awards Presentation and Reception for the
2016 Rosalinde Gilbert Innovations in Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiving Legacy Awards
If you're in Chicago or will be attending AiA17 (the annual
Aging in America Conference
), please join FCA and the
Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation
for a reception honoring the 2016
Rosalinde Gilbert Innovations in Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiving Legacy Awards winners.
The Gilbert Awards honor innovative nonprofit programs that
address the needs of Alzheimer’s disease caregivers. The awards are made possible thanks to the continuing support of the
Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation.
Crystal C Room
151 East Wacker Drive, Chicago 60601
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San Francisco LGBT Dementia Care Project T
rainings
This program is a collaboration in San Francisco between FCA, the Alzheimer’s Association, and Openhouse.
Free trainings for health and social service providers are 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
.
THE LGBT Dementia Care Project has also created a downloadable infographic on the many and unique challenges of LGBT seniors.
For more information and to schedule a training, please contact
Pauline Martinez
or call (
408) 372-9951.
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Advanced Illness: Feeding Tubes and Ventilators
Many conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson or ALS can eventually include complications such as the inability to chew, swallow, or breathe. When this happens, caregivers are often the ones who must decide if a feeding tube or ventilator should be used.
This FCA
Fact Sheet
describes exactly how feeding tubes and ventilators are inserted and used, and explains some of the considerations that caregivers must weigh when making a decision.
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Nursing Home Evaluation Checklist
Choosing a nursing home for an ailing loved one will likely be an extremely difficult decision. Besides researching cost, insurance, level of care, and ratings, one of the most important tasks is to arrange one or more visits.
California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR)
have created a
useful checklist
that can be
printed
and brought the day of the visit. This checklist can help provide an idea of the quality of care. Questions include: Do staff visibly and actively assist residents? D
o residents appear alert and content? Does each bedroom have a window?
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How to Make a Home Much More Friendly to Seniors Using Wheelchairs or Walkers
Kaiser Health News’ Judith Graham outlines the common
hurdles seniors in wheelchairs or walkers face in homes
not designed for these devices, and provides suggestions for making the home more accessible. A home designed for an average, healthy, and ambulatory adult will rarely be accessible to a senior in a wheelchair or walker.
The standard locations and hardware for outlets, doors, and cabinets are some examples of the areas of the home that will need to be modified to better serve those using a wheelchair or walker.
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How Delirium Can Be Different Than Dementia: Caregiver SOS
Nira Rittenberg, writing for t
he
Toronto Star, gives an
overview of delirium
, explaining the symptoms, some potential causes, and care for someone diagnosed with delirium. Delirium often includes dementia like symptoms, and someone who is delirious may also have dementia, but unlike the most common forms of dementia, delirium can be a temporary, reversible condition.
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CAREGIVERS CONNECT: SF BAY AREA EVENTS
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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, friends, or partners who care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias.
It Takes Two! offers the opportunity to l
earn more about your relative or friend’s ability to understand and communicate,
new skills to handle troubling behavior, and how to f
eel more confident and positive about your caregiving role
Pre-registration is required.
This class is for family caregivers specifically, not providers.
1724 Adeline Street, Oakland 94607
Instructor: Jo McCord, MA, F
amily Consultant, Family Caregiver Alliance
Registration: Calvin Hu,
(415) 434-3388 x 313
Additional Information: Click here to learn more
When: Thursdays, March 9, 16, 23, and 30, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.
101 Lake Merced Boulevard, Daly City 94015
Instructor: Christina Irving, LCSW, Family Consultant, Family Caregiver Alliance
Additional Information: Click here to learn more
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CAREGIVERS CONNECT: SF BAY AREA PARTNER EVENTS
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San Francisco Concepts in Care Conference
In celebration of its 15th anniversary, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is hosting the
“AFA National Educating America Tour,
” providing Concepts in Care Conferences in fifteen states. The San Francisco C
oncepts in Care conference, will include talks by experts on subjects including: access to healthcare, transitioning from a home to a residential care setting, safeguarding your home, long-term care, perceptions of aging, clinical trials, and research.
The conference will provide memory screenings and include a display of memory quilts.
When: Wednesday, February 22, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Banking Hall
301 Battery Street, San Francisco 94111
Cost: No Charge
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Free Art Museum Tours for Family Caregivers and Their Loved Ones With Early Stage Dementia
The Alzheimer’s Association has partnered with San Francisco Bay Area museums to provide docent tours specially designed for family caregivers caring for a loved one with early stage dementia. Programs are interactive, and no prior art experience is required.
For more information, or to register, contact Lan Trinh,
(800) 272-3900.
Spaces are limited, and pre-registration is required
When: Thursday, February 23
Where: 100 34th Avenue, San Francisco 94121
When: Wednesday, March 15
Where:
1000 Oak Street, Oakland 94607
Where: Thursday, March 16
Where: 314 Lomita Drive, Stanford 94305
Where: Thursday, March 23
Where: 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco 94118
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Family Caregiver Education Series
- February 27: Stress Management for Caregivers
- March 6: Communication Strategies
- March 13: Taking Care of Yourself
- March 20: Caregiving and Forgiveness
Pre-registration is required. This program is available at no cost to all family caregivers of Tri-city area. Donations to City of Fremont are greatly appreciated.
Unfortunately, this series is closed to professional caregivers.
When: Mondays, February 27 to March 20, 10 a.m. to 12 noon (refreshments starting at 9:30 a.m.)
40086 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont 94538
Cost: No Charge
Registration: Fremont Senior Center, (510) 790-6610, or Frishta Sharifi, (
510) 574-2035
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19th Annual Updates on Dementia Conference
educational conference on the West Coast. R
esearchers and clinicians will present the latest research on the biological, social, psychological, and cultural aspects of aging and dementia, with particular emphasis on practical applications.
When: Thursday, May 11, 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
255 South Airport Boulevard, South San Francisco 94080
Cost: $95 general admission,
$50 seniors (age 65+) and
students (with ID)
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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 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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235 Montgomery Street | Suite 950 | San Francisco, CA 94104
Phone: (800) 445-8106 | Email: info@caregiver.org
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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 loaded with information that matches your unique caregiving needs.
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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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Help support Family Caregiver Alliance by choosing FCA as your
Amazon Smile
charity.
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Help support FCA by using Lyft. First time Lyft users apply the code FCALYFT. Lyft will donate $10 to FCA for each new rider using the code.
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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
Catherine Lelong
Rajiv Mehta
Chris Park
Scott Peifer
Kathleen Raffel
Celine Takatsuno
F. Burns Vick
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