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Vol. 8, No. 7
July 18, 2017
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Dear Friends:
Caregiving is often not only physically and emotionally taxing, it’s often also extremely costly too. C
aregivers may face exorbitant out of pocket expenses, and at the same time may be
forced to reduce working hours, take lower paid but less demanding jobs, or retire early to provide care. F
orgone wages, lowered pension benefits, and decreased social security benefits are the result of this caregiver catch-22.
There are however some hopeful signs that caregivers may start to get the financial help they need, highlighted in this issue of Connections. California recently joined five other states that protect against balance billing. In Hawaii, a first of it’s kind program was launched to provide vouchers for working caregivers. Finally, the Credit for Caring Act has been introduced by lawmakers from both parties, to provide much needed fiscal aid on the federal level.
If you have questions about caregiving and finances, please contact us. FCA is dedicated to supporting family caregivers, and we will continue to advocate for the financial support caregivers need and deserve.
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“A happy life consists not in the absence, but in the mastery of hardships.”
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FCA Executive Director Pens Op-ed in Support of Credit for Caring Act
In an op-ed for the Hill, FCA Executive Director Kathleen Kelly explains the crucial importance of the proposed Credit for Caring Act for family caregivers. The bipartisan legislation is designed to provide a financial lifeline to working family caregivers. If signed into law, qualified caregivers would be eligible for a tax credit of up to $3,000.
The Credit for Caring Act would be particularly valuable to the millions of caregivers who are providing care for someone who cannot be left unattended. Many of these caregivers cannot afford to pay for care during work hours, nor can they afford to quit their job to become full time caregivers.
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FCA at the IAGG World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics
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Apply Now for the 2016 Rosalinde Gilbert Caregiving Legacy Awards
The Gilbert Caregiving Legacy Awards reception at the Aging in America Conference will be in San Francisco, from March 26 to 29, 2018.
To view our interactive scrapbook of past Gilbert Caregiving Legacy Award winners,
click here
.
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The Foster Family Foundation — Thank you
FCA would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to The Foster Family Foundation, established in Southern California, for their generous donation. Their gift will help FCA support and advocate for family caregivers.
FCA acknowledges all foundation, corporate, and individual donors on our
website
. To donate to FCA, please visit our
donation page
.
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San Francisco Public Library Laptop Lending Pilot Program
Tech’d Out is a new program at the San Francisco Public Library. Cardholders with borrowing privileges in good standing are now able to rent, free of charge,
a laptop and wireless internet hotspot with unlimited data, to be used outside the library. Four libraries are currently participating in the program. For more information, please visit the
Tech’d Out website.
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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.
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HOT Weather Tips
Caregivers of older adults, those with dementia, or a chronic health condition will face additional challenges as the temperature rises. An aging body, medications, or a cognitive impairment may inhibit a person’s ability to regulate their internal temperature, or recognize that they are suffering from unhealthy temperatures.
Please read our article to learn tips on how to keep cool, and how to spot the warning signs of a heat related problem.
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One Woman’s Slide From Middle Class to Medicaid
Many of us think with proper planning and responsible choices, the costs of long term care and chronic illness can be managed. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
Ron Lieber, writing in the New York Times, tells the eye-opening story of Rita Sherman who maintained lifelong good physical health, had
over half a million dollars when she retired, purchased a long term care policy, and benefited from the expertise of a medical social worker daughter, and a financial planner son-in-law. By the time she died, she had exhausted all her money and was eligible for Medicaid.
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No More Surprise Bills From Out-Of-Network Doctors In California
“Balance billing” occurs when a patient receives care at an in-network hospital from an out-of-network physician, who then bills the patient out-of-network fees. Balance billing often affects emergency room visits, where patients commonly assume emergency room staff at an in-network hospital are also in-network.
Ann Brenoff, senior writer and columnist for the HuffPost, and critic of balance billing, explains that California AB-72 has come into effect, now banning the practice in California.
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CAREGIVERS CONNECT: SF BAY AREA EVENTS
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Powerful Tools for Caregivers
This free six-part class offers new skills and tools for family caregivers of those with a chronic health condition such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s, or stroke.
At Powerful Tools, you will have the opportunity to learn how to r
educe stress, m
ake difficult caregiving decisions, c
ommunicate more effectively during challenging situations, and p
revent caregiver burnout.
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:
Wednesdays, August
16, 23, 30, and September 6, 13, and 20, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon
707 Thayer Lane, Foster City 94404
Cost:
No Charge
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Camp for Caring is a weekend retreat for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, or other brain impairments. Campers spend the weekend (Friday–Sunday) in an attractive outdoor setting in the Cupertino foothills while you, their caregivers, enjoy a much needed 48-hour respite from caregiving. Campers enjoy arts and crafts, singing and dancing, low impact exercises, group games, and hand massages. There is close supervision by specialized staff who provide around-the-clock care, with a 24-hour on-site nurse and night attendants. All meals are included.
Space is limited. Priority is given to first time attendees.
When:
Friday, August 25 to Sunday August 27
Cost:
sliding scale $125 to $250
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CAREGIVERS CONNECT: SF BAY AREA PARTNER EVENTS
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Conversations with Caregivers Screening
Conversations with Caregivers is a series of short education videos that offers practical advice from real family caregivers who care for someone with dementia. Produced by the UCSF Memory and Aging Center and Tideswell, Conversations with Caregivers includes topics on accepting the diagnosis, playing along, and activities.
The screening will include a reception and Q&A. The series will be available to watch on youtube starting July, 27th
When: Thursday, July 27, 5:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Pottruck Auditorium
1550 4th Street, San Francisco 94158
Cost: No charge
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Tools for Effective Caregiving
Tools for Effective Caregiving is a two-part class that focuses on both the needs of caregivers and the person for whom they are caring. Participants will learn hands on personal care skills, home safety techniques, managing caregiver stress, and how to manage challenging behaviors.
Registration is required by August 16, classes partially sponsored by San Mateo County Aging and Adult Services.
When: Saturdays, August 19 and 26, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Conference Room H, First Floor Conference Center
1501 Trousdale Drive, Burlingame 94010
Cost: No charge
Registration:
(
650) 696-3660
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Kupuna Caregivers Act signed by Governor David Ige
Hawaii H.B. 607, kupuna caregivers program, was recently signed into law. This bill will provide daily vouchers of up to $70 to working family caregivers in Hawaii. The vouchers were designed to help defray the costs of caregiving, and can be used for t
ransportation, personal care services, respite, adult day care, chores, or homemaking services. Care recipients must be 60 or older, a citizen or lawful permanent resident, and live at home or with a family member.
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Subscribe to FCA’s Caregiving PolicyDigest
Caregiving PolicyDigest is a publication of the National Center on Caregiving, a program of FCA. The newsletter offers a fresh look at the rapidly changing world of caregiving policy―at the local, national, and international levels.
To subscribe, please click
here
.
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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
Tricia Dell
Catherine Lelong
Rajiv Mehta
Chris Park
Scott Peifer
Kathleen Raffel
Wyatt Ritchie
Celine Takatsuno
F. Burns Vick
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