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Vol. 10, No. 1

January 16, 2019

Dear Friends:

A new year is upon us, and with it, the promise of new opportunities and a fresh start. For some of you, this marks your first New Year as a caregiver—for others, this is just one of many.

For both new and seasoned family caregivers, FCA offers a trio of helpful online tools. FCA CareJourney is a secure online service that offers personalized information, support, and resources. FCA Learning Center brings together FCA’s fact sheets, tips sheets, and videos, to provide a one-stop shop for educational materials. Finally, our Family Care Navigator can help you locate and connect with resources in your area.

Now that another year has passed, we hope that you will not only continue to provide dedicated care to your loved ones, but to yourselves as well.



Sincerely,

Calvin Hu

Education Coordinator

[email protected]

FCA’s Christina Irving Talks With Rose Aguilar of Your Call Radio

Christina Irving, FCA Family Consultant and Clinical Supervisor was a guest on Your Call Radio , a discussion and call-in program on San Francisco public radio, KALW . Along with guest C. Grace Whiting of the National Alliance for Caregiving, Christina discussed the challenge caregivers face finding and connecting with resources, the burden of caregivers struggling to make ends meet, and the realities of balancing a day job with the responsibilities of caregiving.

Please visit KALW’s website to listen to a recording of this program.

FCA ’ s Tony Tran Interview on

Vietnamese Journal

FCA Community Outreach Specialist Tony Tran returned in January to speak with Vietnamese Journal host Anthony Nguyen. During the interview, Tony discussed the basics of caregiving, the stigma that Vietnamese caregivers sometimes face, and support service offered by FCA.

Watch Tony’ s interview (in Vietnamese) with Vietnamese Journal here.

Conservatorship and Guardianship Tip Sheet

A conservator is a court-appointed individual who manages the affairs of someone incapable of doing so themselves. One of the main advantages of conservatorship is that conservators are appointed and operate under the strict oversight of a court. However, since a conservator is charged with making financial and medical decisions on behalf of another adult, the conservatorship process is often expensive and slow. FCA’s  tip sheet outlines the advantages and disadvantages of conservatorship, and offers less comprehensive but simpler alternatives.

Cold Weather Safety for Older Adults

Hypothermia can occur when a person’s temperature drops to dangerous levels. This is because the body loses more heat than it produces. Older adults can be more vulnerable to hypothermia because of physiological changes brought on by age. To help caregivers of an older adult guard against the dangers of winter, the National Institute on Aging has written an article on cold weather safety describing the symptoms, signs, and consequences of hypothermia.

Coping With the Post-Holiday Blues

Amy Goyer, former dementia caregiver, author, and AARP Caregiving expert shares ideas for moving past the holiday blues as a caregiver, in a recent article for AARP. Her suggestions include reconnecting with family and friends, allowing routine to help you transition back into your everyday life, and making a list of things you are looking forward to doing.

Actor Rob Lowe: I Was My Sick Mother’s Caregiver, Don’t Underestimate the Stress Caregivers Face 

Rob Lowe is well known for his many film and television roles. However, behind the Hollywood glitz and glamour, a then thirty-something-year-old Lowe and his siblings were caring for their ailing mother. To help raise awareness about the challenges and sacrifices caregivers make, he has written an article for USA Today. In the piece, Lowe also shares tips he learned from his time as a caregiver.

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 someone 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. Click here to download the flyer.

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

Burning the Candle at Both Ends: Managing Stress for Family Caregivers

Stress is a normal physical response to the many challenges family caregivers face on a daily basis. Unfortunately, chronic stress can also lead to problems with your emotional and physical health. There are ways to manage this stress, by practicing techniques designed to boost resilience. At this workshop, family caregivers will learn about the sources of stress, how to manage stress, stress relievers and coping tools, and stress reduction techniques.

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. Click here to download the flyer.

San Pablo

When: Friday, February 15, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where:  San Pablo Community Center, Community Room

2450 Road 20, San Pablo 94806

Cost: No charge

Registration: Contact Amanda Hartrey, (415) 434-3388 ext. 334. Feel free to leave a message with your name, number, and the name of this workshop.

San Rafael

When: Wednesday, February 27, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where:  Alzheimer’s Association

4340 Redwood Highway, Suite F-138, San Rafael 94903

Cost: No charge

Registration: Contact Amanda Hartrey, (415) 434-3388 ext. 334. Feel free to leave a message with your name, number, and the name of this workshop.

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 by an unsympathetic and bureaucratic system. 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 be a better advocate for the person for whom they are caring for with health care professionals.

Click here to download the flyer.

When: Monday, March 25, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Where:   Senior Coastsiders

925 Main Street, Half Moon Bay 94019

Cost: No charge

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

Save the Date — Caregiver Retreat in Antioch

FCA and the Bedford Center are hosting a free retreat for family caregivers. Participants will enjoy a day of rest and relaxation with activities that include massage, yoga, and meditation.

When: Saturday, April 6, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where:  The Bedford Center

1811 C Street, Antioch 94509

Cost: No charge

Registration: Evie Christou, [email protected], (925) 778-4171 

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

Family Caregiver Education Series

The City of Fremont Family Caregiver Support Program is offering an 8-week caregiver educational series starting in January. These workshops will cover a wide range of topics and are offered at no cost to all family caregivers of the Tri-City area.

Schedule:

 

Pre-registration is required. Refreshments begin at 9:30 a.m. Special accommodations for those with disabilities can be provided with three weeks advanced notice. These workshops are specifically for family caregivers, not providers.  

When: Thursdays, January 24 to March 14, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon

Where: Fremont Senior Center

40086 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont 94538

Cost: No charge—donations to City of Fremont are greatly appreciated

Registration: Frishta Sharifi,  [email protected], (510) 574-2035

Parkinson’s Disease Caregiver Symposium

Please join the UCSF Parkinson’s Disease Clinic and Research Center for an opportunity to interact with fellow PD caregivers and community agencies serving caregivers of PD patients. The Parkinson’s Disease Caregiver Symposium will be a day of collaboration, learning, and education.

This program is for PD caregivers only, and is funded by a 2018 Parkinson Foundation Moving Day Community Grant. Space is limited, please RSVP to attend. Light refreshments will be available.

When: Friday, February 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Where: San Francisco Elks Lodge #3

450 Post Street, 3rd floor, San Francisco 94102

Cost: No charge

Registration: Hannah George, [email protected], (415) 502-1672

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 January 2019 Caregiving Policy Digest

The entire January 2019 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 most 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 loaded with information that matches your unique caregiving needs.

Visit  caregiver.org   today and  JOIN!