Read Connections on a webpage.

Vol. 11, No. 7

July 2020

Dear Friends:

From shelter-in-place to stay-at-home, the City and County of San Francisco has required businesses and organizations to make changes in how they operate to combat the spread of COVID-19. FCA has adapted by offering caregiver services and support remotely, reflecting the need to protect those who seek our services and our staff.  

In the coming months, we will offer additional online classes and workshops for family caregivers. These will tackle topics including dementia caregiving, self-care, and stress management. The six-part armchair travel series will also return in the fall and winter featuring all new locations. Caregiver webinars will now be offered every month. Lastly, for family caregivers in the San Francisco Bay Area, one-on-one counselling and consultations will continue to be available by phone or video chat.

Sincerely,

Calvin Hu

Education Coordinator

[email protected]

Caregiver College Video Series Now Available With Traditional Chinese Subtitles

Caregiver College videos provide hands-on skills for family caregivers. These include segments on transferring, nutrition, toileting, and behavior issues. Available in English and Spanish , Caregiver College is now viewable with Chinese subtitles . Please visit our playlist to watch the entire series. 

Proud to Advocate for LGBTQ Caregivers — Blog Post Updated

FCA's Pride Month post has been updated with additional resources:

Grupo de Apoyo en Español Por Teléfono (Spanish Telephone Support Group)

Venga a compartir su experiencia, consejos y apoyo con otros cuidadores. El Tercer Jueves de Cada Mes, 2-3 p.m. Para Participar en el Grupo de Apoyo, Marque el Número 1 669 900 6833, ID de reunion: 963 2072 9945#

Para mas Información y Registrarse, Por Favor Llamar a Adriana Sanchez (415) 434-3388 ext. 316

El grupo de apoyo esta abierto para residentes en los siguientes condados: Alameda County, Contra Costa County, Marin County, San Francisco County, San Mateo County, Y Santa Clara County. Este grupo de apoyo es estrictamente para cuidadores familiares no para proovedores profesionales.

Get Your Own Personalized Caregiving Resource Dashboard

Go online to complete a 15-minute questionnaire and get a personal dashboard loaded with information that matches your unique caregiving needs. CareNav, our secure online service, offers quality information, support, and resources for family caregivers of adults with chronic physical or cognitive conditions such as Alzheimer’s, stroke, Parkinson’s, and other illnesses. Try it out today. Click here.

Hot Weather Tips

Normal physiological changes that occur later in life, medications, or a cognitive impairment can inhibit an older person’s ability to tell if they are suffering from unhealthy temperatures. Because of this, caregivers of older adults face additional challenges during warmer months. Read FCA’s tips on how to keep a loved one cool, and how to spot the warning signs of a heat related problem.

Proper Hand-Washing Technique

The CDC recommends through hand-washing as a way to protect against the coronavirus. For the best results, hand cleaning should be more than a quick rub with soap. Johns Hopkins Medicine has uploaded a video,  Hand-washing Steps Using the WHO Technique. The WHO (World Health Organization) is the United Nations agency focused on public health. If water and soap are unavailable, Johns Hopkins has also created a companion video on the most effective use of hand sanitizer,  Hand Rubbing Steps Using the WHO Technique.

Understanding and Communicating With Someone With Dementia — FCA Learning Center Online Class

Dementia caregiving can be very challenging. As family members, spouses, partners, relatives, and friends take on the new role of caregiver for a family member or friend with dementia, there’s a lot for them to learn. Understanding and Communicating with Someone with Dementia is a free online class designed specifically for these caregivers. Participants will learn about different causes of dementia and how the condition affects people differently, tips for communicating with people with dementia, and how to manage challenging behaviors.

To take this online class, please visit www.caregiver.org/caregiver-learning-center, click on the “Take a class” icon, click on “Understanding and Communicating with Someone with Dementia,” and sign in* or register (registration is free).

* FCA CareJourney/CareNav members are automatically Learning Center members

Know Your Medicare Rights And Exercise Them: How Livanta Can Advocate For You

Medicare is the federal health insurance program primarily for individuals who are 65 or older. This program includes many rights and free services that not all beneficiaries understand. Learning about these rights can help you to advocate for yourself during hospital stays, and communicate more effectively with your care providers. Livanta is a Medicare-contracted Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) that provides help, support and resources for Medicare beneficiaries. A Quality Improvement Organization can help if you need to file an appeal regarding your discharge, have complaints about the quality of care received, or need an advocate to help you obtain the services you'll require following discharge. This webinar will discuss the many services and resources available at no charge to Medicare beneficiaries.

When: Wednesday, July 29, from 11 am to 12 noon (PT)

Cost: No charge

Registration: Click here

COVID-19 Related Scams and Where to Get Help

Scammers are exploiting the fear and isolation people are feeling during the COVID-19 shelter-in-place. These criminals may be posing as government officials, bank employees, or health professionals. Their goal is to steal your money and sensitive personal information, including Social Security number, Medicare number, credit card information, and bank account information. This webinar will provide information to help protect you and your loves ones from becoming a victim of these scammers.

When: Thursday, July 30, from 1 to 2 p.m. (PT)

Cost: No charge

Registration: Click here

Why Caregivers Need to Be Patient With Themselves

FCA's Director of Client Services, Christina Irving, was recently interviewed by Future of Personal Health about caregiving during difficult times. This interview includes information on building resilience, finding ways to relax, and ideas on how to get emotional support.

How to Use Zoom to Stay Connected During the Coronavirus

FCA has written a short guide for joining Zoom meetings. This guide was written for caregivers participating in online support or educational events like classes, webinars, or support groups . For more detailed information on how to use Zoom to connect with friends and relatives, AARP's Ed Baig has written a comprehensive guide. This includes information on how to host a meeting, screen sharing, and different ways to view meeting participants.

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

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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101 Montgomery Street | Suite 2150 | San Francisco, CA 94104

Phone: (800) 445-8106 | Email: [email protected]