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Vol. 9, No. 11

November 19, 2018

Dear Friends:

Compared to decades past, we know more about caregivers in this country than ever before. There are tens of millions of caregivers providing hundreds of billions of dollars in unpaid care. We never forget that behind those numbers are the faces of spouses, partners, siblings, adult children, friends, and relatives.

These mind boggling figures will never tell the full story of caregiving. They will never be able to tell your story — the story of small triumphs, the story of endurance, adaptation, and patience. It’s also the story of sleep deprived nights, frustration, loss, and sadness.

Each has a story that is both similar to their fellow caregivers, but also completely unique. And nearly all of these caregivers require more assistance, specialized training, and understanding. At FCA, we are committed to providing the advocacy, education, and support that is so desperately needed and so obviously deserved.

Sincerely,

Calvin Hu

Education Coordinator

[email protected]

FCA Recognizes National Family Caregivers Month

Families who care at home for loved ones with debilitating, long-term health conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or stroke often do so with inadequate information or training. Family Caregiver Alliance aims to change that. In honor of National Family Caregivers Month, FCA has released a wide range of new and updated informational materials, many in multiple languages, accessible at caregiver.org .

Please click here to read more of FCA Executive Director Kathleen Kelly’ s message.

Caregiver Stress Reduction Exercises in English, Chinese, Spanish, and Vietnamese

Now available in Chinese and Vietnamese, this free audio presentation offers seven exercises designed to lower anxiety and stress, and decrease tension. The exercises can be performed while waiting in a line, walking to the car, or even when cooking or eating. Caregiver Stress Reduction Exercises include deep breathing, triangle breathing, muscle relaxation, and imagery meditations.

To listen, please visit FCA’ s YouTube channel .

ENGLISH | CHINESE | SPANISH | VIETNAMESE

Ten new Fact Sheets for Caregivers in Chinese and Vietnamese

FCA has recently translated ten fact sheets in both Chinese and Vietnamese. Chinese fact sheets include:

Fact sheets in Vietnamese include:

To view all the available fact sheets in Chinese and Vietnamese, please visit FCA’s  website .

FCA Thanks Bader Philanthropies, Inc.

FCA would like to thank the Helen Daniels Bader Fund, a Bader Philanthrophy, for their generous support. Bader Philanthropies goal is to make the communities they serve — and the world — better places to live.  

FCA Thanks Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation

FCA wishes to thank the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation for their contribution in support of family caregivers. The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation was established to create positive outcomes for future generations. In pursuit of that vision, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation fosters pioneering scientific discovery, environmental conservation, patient care improvements, and preservation of the unique character of the San Francisco Bay Area. 

FCA Seeking Bilingual English/ Cantonese Family Consultant

This is an excellent opportunity   for a skilled Cantonese-speaking human services professional seeking to work for a non-profit organization serving family caregivers. FCA’s Family Consultant is responsible for conducting comprehensive caregiver assessments, care and resource planning and providing on-going consultation (in-home, by phone and video conference) with caregivers, care receivers and their families. Responsibilities also include outreach and collaboration with service referral sources, representing FCA at community meetings, and general efforts to advocate for and reach Cantonese speaking and other family caregivers throughout the community.

Disaster Preparedness for Caregivers

In California, firefighters are battling multiple, large, and deadly wildfires in both the northern and southern ends of the state. Natural disasters can be life or death events, so preparing ahead of time is a sensible way to help lower the risk of injury or worse. FCA offers a number of resources to help caregivers with their disaster planning. Where to Find my Important Papers  is a downloadable form that can be filled out and printed. FCA also has an  Emergency Preparedness Checklist for Caregivers  and a guide on  Caregiving During a National Emergency . Other helpful resources include AARP’ s blog post  Caregivers, Are You Ready for a Disaster? , and FEMA’ s  Resources for People with Disabilities, Access & Functional Needs .

Scam Callers Impersonating Social Security Administration

The FTC has recently received reports of phone scammers claiming to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA). These criminals are employing a technique known as “ spoofing,” which mimics the SSA’ s information on a phone’ s caller ID. If successful in their efforts, these criminals will attempt to get a victim’ s valuable private information. To learn more, please read the FTC’s blog post.

Combining Medicare and Medicaid Can Make Health Care More Affordable

Some individuals are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. This status is known as “dual eligible” and can help reduce health care costs. AARP’s Dena Bunis explains the benefits of being dual eligible and provides information on eligibility requirements. Bunis also offers some suggestions for those who are low or lower income, but do not qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid.

The Quiet Crisis That Threatens Us All

Psychology Today guest blogger and gerontologist Maria Torroella Carney is a former caregiver and a current counselor of families undergoing the hospital discharge process. Being linked to caregiving both personally and professionally, Dr. Carney’ s blog piece identifies some of the most vexing challenges caregivers face, and also offers concrete suggestions on how to better support caregivers.

明白失去記憶和失智症 (Understanding Memory Loss and Dementia)

偶爾的遺失鎖匙， 健忘，及執筆忘字對於老年人是非常普遍的經驗。當年紀越大，記憶衰退的問題亦會隨之增加，但是，失智症並非正常的老化過程。 在這個免費的工作坊，參加者將會認識老年失智症跟一般和老化有關的記憶力衰退的不同，失智症的警號，失智症如何影響思維及情緒，以及獲得診斷的重要性。

時間:  星期六，十二月八日, 上午10時至11:30

地點:   Foster City Senior Wing , Crane Room

650 Shell Boulevard, Foster City 94404

費用:  免費

登記: Calvin Hu, [email protected] , (415) 434-3388 內線 313

14th Annual Circle of Care Retreat

The Circle of Care Retreat is for those living with MCI or early stage Alzheimer’s and their family caregivers. The retreat is designed to encourage, empower, and help attendees feel recharged. The afternoon is divided into two tracks, one for caregivers, and one for those receiving care. The retreat also includes an exhibitor fair, breakfast, and lunch.

Respite care and scholarships are available. The Circle of Care Retreat is a program of the  Alzheimer’s Association .

When:  Saturday, December 1, from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Where: College of San Mateo , Bayview Dining Room

1700 West Hillsdale Boulevard, San Mateo 94402

Cost:  $30

Registration: Click here

Contact:  Blanca Vazquez,  [email protected] , (408) 372-9922

Asset Protection and Elder Law Workshop

The high cost of nursing home care is a source of worry for many families and older adults across the Bay Area. At this workshop, Elder Law Attorney  Michael Young will explain h ow to get Medi-Cal coverage for nursing home care without selling your home. Participants will have the opportunity to learn how to avoid savings depletion by a nursing home spend down, how to protect a home for loved ones and avoid a Medi-Cal lien, and the asset protection language in estate planning documents that can help protect savings.

When: Wednesday, December 5, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Where:   Heather Farms Community Center , Club Room

301 North San Carlos Drive, Walnut Creek 94598

Cost: No charge

Registration: (925) 256-0298

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 October 2018 Caregiving Policy Digest

The entire October 2018 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.

View a list of our current donors here.

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!