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Vol. 11, No. 6

June 2020

Dear Friends:

June is Pride Month. FCA is honored to serve the LGBTQ community in the San Francisco Bay Area, and across the nation. As caregivers, LGBTQ individuals often face unique and daunting challenges. One of these, the fear of discrimination, abuse, and bullying in medical and long-term care settings, is featured in this month’s upcoming screening of Gen Silent.

FCA offers a number of resources for LGBTQ caregivers including fact sheets on special concerns for LGBTQ caregivers and legal issues as well as an online support group. This month we join with Americans of all walks of life to celebrate the contributions, struggles, and triumphs of the LGBTQ community.

Sincerely,

Calvin Hu

Education Coordinator

[email protected]

A Statement from Family Caregiver Alliance

We remain committed to serving communities of color and addressing inequities in health.

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” Martin Luther King

In just the first few months of this year, we all have been rocked by a global pandemic and the resulting economic uncertainties. And now, with the recent killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmed Aubrey, we find ourselves immersed in a nationwide upheaval that has galvanized our country and the world. A person’s life being taken, on a street, in public view, on a day like any other, is horrifying because it is so casual. Horrifying because we know it is just one of many injustices that have gone before.

As an organization dedicated to families and caregiving, we cannot look away.

Continue reading

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. FCA CareJourney, 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. Check it out today. Click here.

Paid University Study for Family Caregivers who Live in Rural Communities

The University of California, San Francisco is seeking family caregivers to participate in a study and an online workshop. If you are a caregiver living in a rural area, care for someone with memory loss, are 18 years of age or older, and provide care for at least 10 hours per week, you may qualify. Participants will receive up to $80 for completing four surveys. The study offers a free online workshop, caregiver handbook, and support from trained staff and other caregivers.

For more information, or to check eligibility, please visit caregiverproject.ucsf.edu or call (833) 634-0603.

Keep Your Medicare Number Safe From Scammers

Medicare fraud is a serious and ongoing problem. The latest scams are using COVID-19 as way to steal Medicare Numbers. Scammers may call or email claiming to need the number to send a COVID-19 test or other items related to the virus like masks. Medicare will never call to verify a Medicare Number. For more information on these types of fraud, please visit medicare.gov/fraud.

Center for Independence — Power Safety Shut-off Resources for Californians

Wildfires are a well-known disaster to Californians. Many of these fires are caused by failures of the electric grid. To try and avoid these catastrophes, electrical companies may shut the power off for days, known as a power safety shut-off. All electricity users in an area of a power safety shutoff are affected including homes, businesses, hospitals, and fire stations. For residents who require electrical equipment for health and life, planning will be required to deal with these multi-day blackouts. Please visit the Center for Independence for more information on resources and backup batteries through the Disability Disaster Access Program.

How to: Joining an Online Zoom Meeting

California is under a shelter in place order for the foreseeable future. To continue to provide support for family caregivers, FCA is using technology products to offer services remotely. If you are having difficulties joining an FCA meeting, class, or webinar hosted using Zoom, please read our step-by-step guide.

Gen Silent Film Screening and Discussion

The generation that fought the hardest to come out are going back into the closet to survive. Gen Silent, a critically acclaimed documentary, follows six LGBTQ seniors in Boston, MA, who struggle to safely navigate aging while LGBTQ. Oppression before Stonewall, modern prejudices, and life-long discrimination have left LGBTQ seniors afraid of seeking help and dangerously isolated.

In honor of Pride Month please join FCA for a special screening of Gen Silent, followed by a discussion with the film’ s director Stu Maddux and Kiku Johnson, Executive Director of the Rainbow Community Center of Contra Costa County.

When:  Tuesday, June 30, from 1 to 3 p.m. (PT)

Where: ONLINE

Cost: No Charge

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

Registration:   Click here

Yes, You Can Get Paid For Being A Family Caregiver. Here’s How

Many family caregivers find themselves financially strained due to the costs and time of their caregiving responsibilities. To answer the very common caregiver question about getting paid for their work, Susanna Granieri from Being Patient interviews FCA National Caregiver Resource Specialist Sima Schoen. Sima Schoen explains some ways for caregivers to get paid, including a Medicaid Waiver and personal care agreements.

What to Consider Before Moving a Parent Into Assisted Living During COVID-19



In normal times, assisted living can be an attractive option for older adults offering a mix of independence and support. Unfortunately, the Covid-19 crisis has caused many to reconsider such a living arrangement. For advice on how to proceed, Next Avenue’s Andrea Cooper provides some questions and considerations for those looking to move into an assisted living facility during COVID-19.

Let’s Get Away, Together!

A six-part armchair travel series for caregivers

This series is comprised of six interactive travel activity sessions. Each week will focus on a new part of the world or cultural activity, while incorporating storytelling, music, poetry writing, and/or a simple craft. Each session will include a followup message filled with tips, activities, and recipes for families to continue to enjoy after the virtual trip. The focus of each group is to explore a new world, experience a variety of engaging opportunities, and enjoy a sense of camaraderie and community. Register for one or more sessions.

Let’s Get Away, Together! is intended to be an enjoyable activity for family caregivers and the person they care for. Those receiving care who are able to participate in the discussion and activities are encouraged to attend with their family caregiver. Registration is open, but priority will be given to residents of the San Francisco Bay Area (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara Counties).

When: Tuesday, June 30, from 1 to 2 p.m. (PT)

June 30, “Let’s Go around the world in ONE hour!”

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 .

Headlines From the June Caregiving Policy Digest

The entire June 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 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.

Visit  caregiver.org   today and  JOIN!