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Vol. 7, No. 10
October 13, 2016
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Dear Friends:
As the holiday season draws near we hope you are taking time to focus on your own well-being. While the holidays are often filled with happy reunions and time with family and friends, they can also increase stress due to obligations, expectations ... and we all know that not all families get along even in the best of times.
Ambitious self-care plans and intentions can often be derailed by the additional tasks and stress the holidays can bring. So b
eing able to maintain a self-care regiment during the close of the year, no matter how modest, is a great accomplishment. I
f you are able to commit to self-care even during the busiest of months, doing so on the quiet times should be that much easier.
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“Those who think they have no time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness
.”
— Edward Stanley, British statesman
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Sexuality and Aging Teleclass
FCA in partnership with Senior Center Without Walls is excited to present this s
pecial workshop for family caregivers who want to learn about and discuss topics of sex, aging, and taboos. This workshop is also for those who want more information on how to be intimate when sex is no longer a part of one’s relationship. This workshop will discuss sex, changing relationship roles, sex life, and sex life and residential living. This teleclass is LGBTQ inclusive. This workshop will be facilitated by Crystal Madriles, FCA Family Consultant.
Times listed are for Pacific Time.
When: Tuesday, October 18, 11 a.m. to 12 noon (PT)
Where: Teleclass (call in to participate)
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Webinar for Military Caregivers — It Takes Courage After Fire: Navigating the Role of Caregiver
FCA in partnership with
Easter Seals Dixon Center and the Elizabeth Dole Foundation will be hosting this month’s
military caregiving webinar. This webinar will explain the impact an ill veteran can have on their family, as well as the challenges a family faces when providing care. Attendees will also learn about available caregiver resources and caregiver
self-care.
When:
Thursday, October 20, 11 a.m. to 12 noon (PT)
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The Genius of Caring Seeking Caregiver
The Genius of Caring is a project from the team behind the documentary, The Genius of Marian. The filmmakers are looking for a caregiver to feature in a profile as part of the project. Interested caregivers should be based in California and taking care of someone in the late stages of Alzheimer’s. For more information, please contact Chris Riley. To view examples of previous caregiver portraits, please visit the filmmaker’s website.
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Nine to Ninety Now Available to Stream
Nine To Ninety can now be viewed
online
. This short documentary film tells the love story of Phyllis and Joe Sabatini, happily married for more than 60 years. Nine to Ninety documents the difficult end-of-life decisions the Sabatinis and their family face, similar decisions many families are facing. T
he increased burden of care ultimately leads Phyllis to the heartbreaking choice to move cross the country without her husband, daughter, or grandchildren.
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Action Alert: San Francisco Dignity Fund
Election Day is right around the corner. San Francisco voters please vote “yes” on Proposition I.
Proposition I will establish a
Dignity Fund
for seniors and adults with disabilities
. This fund will be used for services and support for vulnerable San Francisco residents, helping them to
live safely and independently at home.
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Lyft Rideshare Offers Discount to New Users and FCA Benefits
Have you considered using a rideshare service such as
Lyft
? Is it available in your
city
? FCA recently set up a non-profit partnership with Lyft and FCA receives $10 for any first-time user (who takes a ride); the rider gets a free ride or discount. Users must have a smartphone to download the Lyft app.
Enter the code in the “Payment” section to reveal the amount. Use the code
FCALYFT.
In the San Francisco market* the discount includes a
$5 credit for the first 10 rides (
$50 total credit). The discount m
ust be used within 15 days of downloading the app.
FCA receives $10 for each new rider, so please share the code
FCALYFT
with friends and family!
* The discount varies from market to market.
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Families Caring for an Aging America Report
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recently released a new report on family caregiving of older adults. FCA Executive Director Kathleen Kelly was invited to Washington DC to consult with the group who created the report.
Families Caring for an Aging America describes the state of caregiving for older adults in the United States, and analyzes current programs and support available. It also gives policy recommendations on how to best support caregivers.
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San Francisco LGBT Dementia Care Project
The LGBT Dementia Care Project is a collaboration between FCA, the
Alzheimer’s Association, and
Openhouse
.
The goal of this project is to
increase access to dementia care for LGBT senior
s and adults with disabilities. Free training will be available to San Francisco health and social service providers on the dementia care needs in the LGBT community
and their caregivers.
(800) 272-3900.
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Understanding Palliative/Supportive Care: What Every Caregiver Should Know
Palliative care is often thought to be the same as hospice care. While the two types of care do share similarities, they are not synonymous. This FCA Fact Sheet will help clarify what palliative care is, and how it might be beneficial to both caregivers and the person they are caring for. Palliative care can bring hope, control, and
better quality of life for patients and their caregivers.
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Palliative Care 101
What is it? Who needs it? Why is it important? Where do we get it?
In this webinar, participants will get an in-depth explanation of what palliative care really means, why it is so important, and what family caregivers need to know about it. Presenter Redwing Keyssar is a registered nurse, palliative care director, and author of “
Last Acts of Kindness: Lessons for the Living From the Bedsides of the Dying.
”
The webinar will also address some of the common myths and misconceptions about palliative care, why palliative care can play an important role in caring for a person with dementia, and the value of advance care planning.
When:
Wednesday, November 9, 11 a.m. to 12 noon (PT)
Where:
ONLINE
Cost:
No Charge
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What to Do If Your Aging Parent Becomes Rude and Resistant
Dr. Leslie Kernisan answers a tricky question in Better Health While Aging, her blog. A caregiver’s mother has started to behave in a rude
, abrasive, and unreasonable way. Her daughter suspects her mother has dementia, but wants to honor her mother’s independence by not using her power of attorney to force her mother to see a doctor. At the same time, this caregiving daughter is feeling guilty spending less time with her mother to avoid her abuse.
What advice would you give?
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A Practical To-Do List For Family Caregivers
Judith Graham writing for Kaiser Health News gives a number of tips for caregivers to improve their experiences when dealing with hospitals, doctors, or other medical professionals. While caregivers are at the fontline for daily care, they are often sidelined by health care.
Tips such as
documenting your role as a caregiver in medical records, making sure doctors know what kind of care you are capable of providing, and getting training on medical tasks are all discussed.
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CAREGIVERS CONNECT: SF BAY AREA EVENTS
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Taking Care of SoMEone Else
One of the greatest challenges for family caregivers is maintaining their own physical and emotional health while caring for another. All too often, caregivers neglect their well-being, focusing solely on the person
for whom they are providing care. In
this workshop, family caregivers will examine
why those who care for others often feel sad, guilty, and alone, and how to
change these feelings. Participants will also learn tools to effectively self-advocate,
reduce stress, and change negative thinking.
1110 Alameda de las Pulgas,
Belmont 94002
Cost: No Charge
Registration: Belmont Library Reference Desk,
(650) 591-8286
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Powerful Tools for Caregivers
Powerful Tools is a six-part class for family caregivers of those with
chronic health conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke. In Powerful Tools, caregivers will learn how to reduce stress, make difficult decisions, communicate more effectively in challenging situations, and prevent caregiver burnout.
Pre-registration is required and group size is limited. This class is specifically for family caregivers, not providers.
When: Six consecutive Tuesdays, November 15, 22, 29, and December 6, 13, and 20, 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Catholic Charities
50 Broad Street, San Francisco 94112
(415) 434-3388 x 317
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CAREGIVERS CONNECT: SF BAY AREA PARTNER EVENTS
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Pleasant Hill Family Caregiver Workshop
The Pleasant Hill Commission on Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association have partnered to host a family caregiver workshop. Participants will learn from other caregivers as well as dementia care experts. Topics include how to communicate effectively, how to understand and respond to dementia behaviors, and how to cope with strong emotions. Light morning refreshments and lunch will be served.
When: Friday, October 21, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
2275 Morello Avenue,
Pleasant Hill 94523
Registration: (925) 671-5221
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Caregiver Conference: F
rom Crisis to Confidence
Join Avenidas and the City of Mountain View for a day-long caregiver conference. The keynote speech will be presented by Lisa Krieger of the San Jose Mercury News. Topics include t
echnology’s impact on caregiving, helping caregiver teams cultivate effective communication skills, and m
indfulness-based caregiving. Both lunch and afternoon coffee and dessert will be served.
When: Saturday, October 22, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
266 Escuela Avenue,
Mountain View 94040
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Embracing the Journey: End-of-Life Resource Fair
Please join the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco for the
second annual End-of-Life Resource Fair. Participants will learn compassionate and dignified ways to navigate this inevitable part of living.
The fair will feature experts presenting on end-of-life topics and mindfulness. A movement class will be offered and a chanting group will perform. Participating organizations and businesses will provide resources and additional information for caregivers.
Advance registration is recommended.
When: Sunday, November 13, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
3200 California Street, San Francisco 94118
Cost: No charge
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Graduate Student Research
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OUR SUPPORTERS: THANK YOU!
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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 35 years.
Your donation makes all the difference!
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Follow FCA on Social Media!
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785 Market Street | Suite 750 | San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: (800) 445-8106 | Email: info@caregiver.org
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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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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
Wanda Borges
Herman S. Brown, Jr.
Tricia Dell
Ping Hao
Catherine Lelong
Rajiv Mehta
Chris Park
Scott Peifer
Kathleen Raffel
Celine Takatsuno
F. Burns Vick
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