Vol. 10, No. 5
May 16, 2019
Dear Friends:

May is Older Americans Month . Its a time to recognize, reflect, and celebrate the contributions older Americans have made and continue to make across this country. Besides being a vital part of our communities and families, many older Americans are also caregivers for spouses, family, relatives, or friends.

FCA is dedicated to  supporting counseling educating , and  advocating  for family caregivers. We are working hard to make sure caregivers of all ages get the help they need and deserve.


Sincerely,

Calvin Hu
Education Coordinator
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.”  

— Ralph Waldo Emerson
WHAT’S NEW AT FCA
FCA Executive Director Kathleen Kelly Speaks at California Budget Subcommittees

In the next decade, 20 percent of Californians will be over the age of 65 with an estimated 4.5 million family caregivers. On April 25th (California State Senate) and May 6 (California Assembly), FCA Executive Director Kathleen Kelly spoke before the legislative budget subcommittees on the importance of increased funding to expand services and support for the millions of California family caregivers. Kelly’s testimony is part of statewide advocacy efforts by FCA, California’s ten other Caregiver Resource Centers, as well as through petitions of support by residents.
Join FCA for a Summer Event in the San Francisco Bay Area

FCA is putting on special caregiving programs this summer across the San Francisco Bay Area. Young Generation X and millennial caregivers are invited to join us at the Google Community Space in downtown San Francisco for a Young Caregiver Brunch and Tea, bridging the gap and honoring your unique caregiving situation. Family caregivers in Contra Costa County are invited to join FCA for Caregiver Conversations, a special town hall and conference featuring Keynote Speaker: Dr. Heather Young with a welcome by Pleasant Hill Mayor Ken Carlson. Finally, residents of Alameda County and Santa Clara County are welcome to join FCA and the City of Fremont for our annual Fremont Caregiver Retreat at the picturesque and serene Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose.
FCA is Hiring

FCA is looking for qualified and interested applicants to fill current openings in our San Francisco office. Please click here to see available positions for Social Worker/Family Consultant – bilingual (English/Cantonese), Social Worker/Family Consultant, and Accountant.
Contra Costa County Family Caregiver Survey 

FCA will be drafting a report on the state of family caregiving in Contra Costa County and we need your help. If you are a resident of Contra Costa County please take a moment to complete our five minute survey, to help us inform local politicians, service providers, and non-profit organizations on your caregiving needs and challenges as a resident of Contra Costa County. All answers given will be kept confidential.

The final report will be presented during our special Caregiver Conversations event on Tuesday, June 25 in Pleasant Hill. Please click here for more information.
Home Alone Alliance Releases New Additions To Caregiver Video Series

The Home Alone Alliance, a collaborative from AARP and featuring partners including FCA, has updated its video series that now includes “Special Diets” and “Managing Incontinence.” The “Special Diets” series consists of information on nutrition basics, modifying food textures, and helping to feed a person with dementia. “Managing Incontinence” covers topics including helping someone to the toilet, how to talk about incontinence, selecting incontinence products, and difficulty getting out of bed.

Both video series can be viewed on the FCA Learning Center . Click on “Watch” and type in either “diet,” or “incontinence” in the search field.
Contra Costa County Seeking Input From Local Family Caregivers

The Contra Costa County Area Agency on Aging would like to hear from Contra Costa County family caregivers. Caregivers of an adult 60 years or older are encouraged to complete a 20 minute survey that will help the county determine the needs and priorities of older adults and their caregivers. This survey will also help shape the 2020-2024 Countywide Area Plan for Older Adults.

All survey responses are anonymous.
INFORMATION YOU CAN USE
What You Need to Know About Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse

Ten percent of Americans over the age of 60 have experienced elder abuse, according to the National Council on Aging. There are many types of elder abuse including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, and financial abuse. This webinar will provide a brief overview of common trends related to elder and dependent adult abuse, common signs and symptoms to look out for in your loved ones, and ways to report abuse.

Objectives:
  • Reasons older and dependent adults are vulnerable to abuse
  • Common signs and symptoms of elder and dependent adult abuse
  • Where to report suspicions of elder and dependent abuse

Click here to view a recording of the webinar, and here to download a copy of the slides.
FCA Fact Sheet: Mild Cognitive Impairment 

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a condition that falls between normal age-related memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease or a similar impairment. A person with MCI may experience memory problems, and difficulties with judgment, thinking and language. To read more about MCI, please click here.
ARTICLES FOR CAREGIVERS
From Gloom To Gratitude: Eight Skills To Cultivate Joy

Morning Edition’s Allison Aubrey reports on an encouraging caregiver study that suggests depression and anxiety can be reduced through positive thinking. The article also explains how caregivers can apply eight simple daily actions in their own lives to develop a positive outlook.
Many Americans Will Need Long-Term Care. Most Won’t be Able to Afford It.

It is estimated that 50 to 66 percent of older Americans will need some form of long-term care. Unfortunately, as New York Times columnist Paula Span laments, the majority of th ese Americans do not have enough money to pay for long-term care . Spans article focuses in particular on middle-income seniors, those Americans who are not wealthy enough to afford long-term care, but who are also too well off to benefit from federal assistance programs.
CAREGIVERS CONNECT: SF BAY AREA EVENTS
Young Caregiver Brunch and Tea - Honoring Modern Caregiving Needs

FCA is excited to host a special workshop for young family caregivers. We would like to bridge the gap, as well as celebrate, support, and honor your stories, despite the dearth of available information. This workshop will feature presenters speaking on topics specifically relevant to younger family caregivers, whose needs and concerns can differ from a caregiver who is older.

A light breakfast and refreshments will be provided. 

When: Saturday, June 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Google Community Space, Main Event Space    
188 The Embarcadero, San Francisco 94105
Cost: No Charge
Registration: Click here
Information: Crystal Madriles, cmadriles@caregiver.org
Fremont Retreat

You are invited to join FCA and the City of Fremont for a FREE one-day retreat designed especially for you, the family caregiver. Enjoy a visit to Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose, located in the historic Mission San Jose district of Fremont. The tree lined campus includes the largest mission-era olive grove in California, a labyrinth, and numerous gardens and green spaces throughout. You’ll enjoy a complimentary breakfast and lunch, educational presentations for caregivers, a therapeutic group activity, and a chance to share your experiences with other family caregivers.

The retreat will be located in the Dominican Center, click here to view a campus map.

Pre-registration is required. Please let us know if you have a disability and require specific accommodations. Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate professional caregivers at this event. 

When: Friday, April 27, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
43326 Mission Circle, Fremont 94539
Cost: No charge
Registration:  Click here
Contact: Calvin Hu,  chu@caregiver.org, (415) 434-3388 x 313
Caregiver Conversations

Join FCA for a day of learning, support, and information exchange!

This convening is for family and friends caregiving for an adult living with a complex illness (e.g. dementia, general frailty, Parkinson’s, stroke, Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS), Multiple Sclerosis, and similar conditions), and professionals who provide services to caregivers and care receivers in Contra Costa County.

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Heather Young, co-author, Home Alone Revisited study, 2019. Professor and Dean Emerita Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, UC Davis. 

Welcome by Ken Carlson, Mayor, Pleasant Hill

**Respite services are available on a first-come, first-served basis.**

When: Tuesday, June 25, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where:  Pleasant Hill Community Center, Perera Pavilion
320 Civic Drive, Pleasant Hill 94523
Cost: No charge
Registration: Click here , please RSVP by June 17
CAREGIVERS CONNECT: SF BAY AREA PARTNER EVENTS
Ninth Annual Caregivers Count Conference

Join the Aging Services Collaborative for a conference for families and friends caring for a loved one. This conference will connect you to resources and information to help you on your caregiving journey. Conference topics include the healing power of humor, coping with grief and loss, and information on long term care options.

Respite care grants are available through the Alzheimer’s Association. Contact (800) 272-3900 for more information.

When: Saturday, May 18, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
1 West Campbell Avenue, Campbell 95008
Cost: $15 (includes lunch)
Registration: Click here
Tooling up for Cognitive Care: How Families, Volunteers and Care Staff Can Use Cognitive Care Technologies to Improve Home Visits and Day Activities (webinar)

This is a free webinar presented by Mandy Salomon PhD, CEO of Mentia, and creator of Deva World, a tablet-based cognitive care program used by residential care communities. Webinar participants will have the opportunity to learn about cognitive care as the missing piece in non-medical support, how digital tools are opening up communication pathways and building meaningful connections, the challenges in going digital, and how supporters and staff can learn new person-centered care skills by being “tooled up.”

When: Tuesday, June 25, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. (PT)
Where: Online
Cost: No charge
Registration: Click here
Teepa Snow — Dementia Caregiver Conference for Professional and Family Caregivers

Join Campos Family Vineyards and Positive Approach to Care for a dementia caregiver conference. The featured speaker is Teepa Snow who will talk about
brain changes in dementia, using a positive approach to dementia care, and making moments of joy for those living with dementia. The conference is for both professional and family caregivers. A taco bar lunch is available for purchase. Space is limited.

When: Friday, July 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
3501 Byer Road, Byron 94514
Cost: $40 (optional $17 for lunch)
Registration: Click here
FCA FACEBOOK FLASH
FCA’s   Facebook page   offers articles and posts of interest for family caregivers. Please follow our page at www.facebook.com/FamilyCaregiverAlliance .
CAREGIVER POLICY
Headlines From the April 2019 Caregiving Policy Digest

  • Medicaid Work Requirements Blocked, but ...
  • Changing Family Structures: Its Impact on Seniors
  • Tech Advances in Healthcare: Telehealth, Tablets, Apps, and Wearable Devices
  • Rethinking Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment

The entire April 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 recent, issue is available   here. Visit the  archive  for past issues and click  here   to subscribe.
RESEARCH REGISTRY
OUR SUPPORTERS: THANK YOU!
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: info@caregiver.org
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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Connections Credits
   
Editors
Calvin Hu
Paria Dea

Contributors
Kathleen Kelly
Calvin Hu
Lana Sheridan
Leah Eskenazi

Executive Director
Kathleen Kelly
FCA Board of Directors

President
Jacquelyn Kung

Vice-President
Dan Lieberman

Treasurer
Wyatt Ritchie

Secretary
Kathleen Raffel

Amanda Breeden
Athan Bezaitis
Shruti Kothari
Catherine Lelong
Rajiv Mehta
Chris Park
Scott Peifer
Tiffany Riser
Keely Stevenson
Celine Takatsuno