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Vol. 11, No. 2

February 2020

Dear Friends:

Have you visited FCA on social media recently? When you connect with FCA, you’ll receive information on classes, retreats, news on caregiving, innovative programs, and the latest stories about legislation and policy that will affect caregivers. Please stop by FCA’s Facebook page and follow our Twitter account.

FCA is continually working to support family caregivers with high-quality online resources. For information on medical conditions, caregiving questions, and local resources, please join  FCA CareJourney , a free web tool that provides personalized information tailored to your unique caregiving situation.

Sincerely,

Calvin Hu

Education Coordinator

[email protected]

Caregiver: A Love Story

Caregiver: A Love Story, is a short documentary that follows the journey of Bambi Fass and her husband Rick as he cares for her at home during the last weeks of her life. This documentary is being used by caregiving experts to help prepare families for common caregiving issues and to connect them with resources in their community.

Following the screening FCA Clinical Services Director and Family Consultant Christina Irving will moderate a discussion. Space is limited, and registrations are required. Refreshments will be provided.

San Francisco

When: Wednesday, March 18, from 4 to 6 p.m.

Where: Institute on Aging

3575 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco 94118

Cost: No charge

Registration: Click here

Berkeley

When: Sunday, April 5, from 2 to 4 p.m.

Where: Jewish Community Center of the East Bay

1414 Walnut Street, Berkeley 94709

Cost: No charge

Registration: Click here

Join FCA ’ s Young Adult Caregiver Support Group

This group will focus on the needs and unique challenges faced by caregivers 40 and under. The group will meet monthly online (via Zoom) on the 1st Thursday, and in-person on the 3rd Thursday — 6 to 7:30 p.m. In-person meeting locations will alternate between San Francisco (near Montgomery BART) and Oakland (near 19th Street BART).

Exact locations and Zoom login details will be provided with registration. To register contact Rachel at (415) 434-3388 ext. 331, or email [email protected] .

Transportation Survey for Seniors and People With Disabilities in the San Francisco Bay Area

Transportation Resiliency, Access and Climate Sustainability (TRACS) is seeking input to improve transportation for seniors and people with disabilities. The goal of TRACS is to understand the unique transportation needs of seniors and people with disabilities in the Bay Area and to make transportation more accessible. The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. All survey respondents can enter their name and email for a drawing for a $25 gift card.

Please click here to fill out the survey.

2020 Census

The 2020 Census survey is just around the corner. You, with the assistance of a family member or your caregiver, can complete your 2020 Census survey when you receive your letter in mid-March with instructions for completing your survey.

FCA is helping to get the word out. Please see the Census  FAQ’s for more information.

Medicare Heart Disease Screening

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Half of adults in the country have at least one risk factor for heart disease or stroke. To help older Americans determine if they are at risk, Medicare Part B includes a free heart disease screening every five years. A short video about the disease and the free screening can be viewed here.

For more information on what Medicare covers, please visit Medicare.gov.

Genuine Resilience Is Closer (and Easier) Than You May Think: Webinar Recording Available

Resilience, or the ability to rebound from difficult or traumatic experiences, is the key to well-being. In the context of caregiving, developing emotional skills for coping with stress is essential for the long-term.

Watch a recording of this recent webinar featuring Zen Caregiving Project for an introduction to the key areas essential for coping with stress. This webinar will also provide simple practices you can integrate into your caregiving to build resilience.

Objectives:

This webinar is presented by Roy Remer, Executive Director at Zen Caregiving Project. Please click here to view a recording and to download the slides.

Estate Planning 101 for California Property Owners

For many Californians, your home is your biggest asset, but passing it on to the next generation can be complicated. This webinar will explain what an estate plan is and how it can help you and your loved ones during your lifetime as well as after your death. The webinar will cover key documents of estate planning, which include living trust, will, financial power of attorney, and health care directive. This webinar will also help you to understand California’s laws around property taxation and provide information on how your family may be able to access tax savings when transferring property from one generation to the next. Estate Planning 101 for California Property Owners will feature experts from the Office of San Francisco Assessor Carmen Chu, and Housing and Economic Rights Advocates (HERA).

Objectives:

When:  Wednesday, March 25, from 11 a.m. to 12 noon (PT)

Where: ONLINE

Cost:   No Charge

Contact:   Calvin Hu, [email protected] , (415) 434-3388 

Registration:  Click here

CPR, by Default

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a staple in television shows, where the victim usually makes a miraculous recovery. Unfortunately the success rate of CPR in the real world is grim for many seniors. When performed on an adult 80 or over in a hospital, most of these patients will not survive to discharge. The success rate is worse when CPR is performed outside a hospital. The New York Times’ journalist Paula Span delves into the high mortality rate of CPR when performed on older adults, and examines why it is the default procedure even on those with a low chance of success.

What Caregivers Should Know About Managing a Loved One ’ s Money

Being a caregiver can include a wide range of tasks, from medication management to toileting. Some of those being cared for may no longer be capable of handling their finances. AARP has published an article about the tools, laws, and concerns relating to managing a loved one’s money. The article also quotes FCA Family Consultant Jo McCord on potential conflicts among family when money management is involved.

Dementia and Caregiving

Caring for someone with memory loss or dementia can be challenging. Come and find ways to balance managing your own health and well-being while acting as a caregiver. Learn simple skills to handle troubling behavior, tools to help you reduce stress, coping skills, and find community resources to support you. Light refreshments will be provided. 

This FREE program will be offered in English and Spanish.

Este programa es gratuito y sera ofrecido en Ingles Y Espanol

 

When: Saturday March 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (sign-in starts at 9:30 a.m.)

Where: Brentwood Senior Activity Center, Main Hall

193 Griffith Lane, Brentwood 94513

Cost: No charge

Registration: Brentwoodca.gov/onlineregistration, Brentwood Senior Activity Center (925) 516-5380 (Workshop Registration #3659) 

Self-care and Stress Management for Caregivers

One of the greatest challenges of being a family caregiver is maintaining one’s own physical and emotional health—all too often, caregivers neglect their health and well-being. We cannot stop the impact of a chronic illness on a loved one. However, we, as caregivers, need to be responsible for our own self-care. At this workshop, participants will learn why those who care for others often feel sad, guilty, alone, and how you can change these feelings. Participants will also learn about tools to reduce stress, change negative thinking, and how to ask for what you need from others.

When: Wednesday, April 22, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Where:   South San Francisco Public Library

840 West Orange Avenue, South San Francisco 94080

Cost: No charge

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

Too Soon to Forget: The Journey of Younger Onset Alzheimer’s Disease

Too Soon To Forget is a documentary on early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Early onset Alzheimer’s disease affects people under 65 years of age, and can strike those as young as 30. Too Soon to Forget follows nine families living and coping with this disease, and seeks to raise public awareness and increase support for those affected by early onset Alzheimer’s.

A question and answer session will follow the film screening moderated by Catholic Charities Director of Client Services Patty Clement in collaboration with Terue Shinohara, Support & Wellness Manager Kimochi San Mateo.

When: Wednesday, February 26, starting at 6 p.m.

Where:  San Mateo Public Library — Cedar Room

55 West 3rd Avenue, San Mateo 94402

Cost: No charge

Connected Horse

Connected Horse is for those living with early stage dementia and their caregivers. Based based on research conducted at UC Davis and Stanford Universities, this program seeks to harness the power of the human-horse connection to help participants feel relaxed, confident, and happy in the moment.

No prior experience with horses is necessary to participate. Participants will be engaging with horses from the ground (no riding). All participants must be ambulatory and willing to participate together.

Pleasanton/Danville

When: Saturdays, March 7, 14, 21, and 28, from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

Where: Pleasanton Five Mile Equestrian Center

7220 Johnston Road, Pleasanton 94588

Cost: No charge (donations accepted)

Registration: Judy, [email protected], (925) 708- 0067

Orinda

When: Wednesdays, April 8, 15, 22, 29, and May 6, from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon

Where: Xenophon Therapeutic Riding Center

60 Don Gabriel Way, Orinda 94563

Cost: No charge (donations accepted)

Registration: Judy, [email protected], (925) 708- 0067

Caregiver Conference: TBI and Stroke

The Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC) is hosting its 1st Annual TBI and Stroke Caregiver Conference. This free conference is open to the public, focusing on caregiving for individuals with stroke or TBI. The conference will include presentations by family caregivers, brain injury specialists, and afternoon breakout sessions.

Light snacks will be provided in the morning and the canteen will be open for lunch.

 

When: Friday, March 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where:   Palo Alto Division—Ed Stallings Auditorium

3801 Miranda Avenue, Palo Alto 94304

Cost: No charge

Registration: No registration needed

Contact: Jessica Huckabay, [email protected]

Dementia Caregiver Wellness Day 2020

Join the Presence Care Project and Zen Caregiving Project for a day of wellness, relaxation, and community. This retreat was created especially for you — the dementia family caregiver. Each activity was selected to help boost your resilience and sustain your wellness as you continue on your caregiving journey.

The retreat will offer four 1 ½ hour sessions, during which you’ll have a chance to experience different ways to practice self-care. You will leave feeling energized, relaxed, and inspired to pursue one or more of these practices throughout the year.

Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Respite may be available. The Institute on Aging will open the Enrichment Center during the event if enough caregivers are interested.

Where: San Francisco County Fair Building

1199 9th Avenue, San Francisco 94122

When: Sunday, April 5, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Cost: No charge

Registration: Click here

10th Annual Caregivers Count! Conference

 

Caregivers Count! is an annual event designed for families and friends caring for their loved ones. The conference features professional speakers covering a wide range of topics to support caregivers. This year’s presentations include: emotional well-being, stress reduction, paying for care, technology tools, and dealing with resistance.

When: Saturday, April 25, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where:   Campbell Community Center

1 West Campbell Avenue, Campbell 95008

Cost: $15

Registration: Click here

FCA’s   Facebook page   offers articles and posts of interest for family caregivers. Please follow our page at www.facebook.com/FamilyCaregiverAlliance .

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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.

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