Vol. 10, No. 10
October 16, 2019
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Dear Friends:
Approximately two million Californians were without power for days due to a planned blackout by Pacific Gas and Electric. Although customers were supposed to be notified 24 to 48 hours in advance, many were unaware their power would be cut. Those affected individuals relying on medical devices like respirators, ventilators, powered wheelchairs, and dialysis equipment were forced to improvise when the power went out.
Are you and the person you are caring for prepared for a sudden loss of power? Here are resources that can help you plan for a blackout:
Sincerely,
Calvin Hu
Education Coordinator
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“
I can
’
t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.
”
— Jimmy Dean
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Innovations in Alzheimer
’
s Caregiving Awards Submission Deadline Extended
FCA,
with
The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation
and
Helen Daniels Bader Fund
, a Bader Philanthropy, is announcing that the Innovations in Alzheimer’
s Caregiving Awards deadline has been extended to
Monday, October 21, 5 p.m. (Pacific Time).
The awards honor programs in the following categories: c
reative expression, diverse/multicultural communities, and public policy. Each winning organization receives a
$20,000 award. Please v
isit our
information page
for directions and a link to the online application. Previous applicants are encouraged to apply again.
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Planning Your Health and Financial Future at Reimagine End of Life Week
Planning Your Health and Financial Future brings together experts for a panel on advance care and end-of-life planning. Part of the San Francisco Bay Area
Reimagine week, the free panel will include FCA Clinical Services Manager Christina Irving. Planning Your Health and Financial Future will feature information on the importance of estate planning, what conversations you should be having now, choosing your agents, and creating an advance care directive.
When: Wednesday, October 30, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
800 Foster City Boulevard, Foster City 94404
Cost: No Charge
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FCA is Hiring
FCA is hiring! We’re looking for qualified and interested applicants to fill a current opening in our San Francisco office for a Social Worker - Family Consultant position. For more information and to apply
click here. FCA is also seeking a part-time volunteer
Junior Accountant.
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Medicare Open Enrollment Ends December 7
During the open enrollment period, those on Medicare can make changes to their coverage. Some of these changes include switching from traditional Medicare to an Advantage Plan (or vice versa), switching from one Advantage Plan to another, or making changes to a prescription drug plan.
For those looking to compare the benefits and prices of different plans, Medicare.gov has updated and
redesigned its
Medicare’s Plan Finder
.
For
a quick review of the Plan Finder tool, please view this
video
.
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International Short Break Association Seeking
Abstract Proposals
The International Short Break Association (ISBA) is a global initiative made up of agencies and organisations providing health care and respite services for families concerned with disabilities. As part of the
International Respite Conference, the ISBA is asking for proposals for breakout sessions on any aspect of planned or emergency respite service delivery, streamlined access, research, evaluation, policy, best practices, or innovation. The call for presentations is open until
October 16
.
Click here
to submit your abstract application
.
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Take Charge: Tips for Advance Care Planning
Get the health care you want based on what matters most. This webinar will discuss how to talk about your wishes for care with the important people in your life, and how to choose someone to make health care decisions for you if you are unable to do so. The webinar will also cover how to write down your wishes using Advance Heath Care Directives and the Physician Order for Life Sustaining Treatment.
When:
Wednesday, October 30, 11 a.m. to 12 noon (PT)
Where:
ONLINE
Cost:
No Charge
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The Delicate Issue Of Taking Away A Senior’s Smartphone
A smartphone is a tool that most people find indispensable for everyday life. Older adults are no exception, with more than 40% owning a device. When memory fails, or judgement falters due to a cognitive illness, family may decide unrestricted use of a smartphone may no longer be safe. Kaiser Health News journalist Judith Graham discusses considerations for those contemplating
taking away the smart phone
of an older family member or relative.
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Power Outages Can Be Deadly for the Medically At-Risk
The Northern California blackouts initiated by Pacific Gas and Electric have ended. The multi-day power shutoff affected up to two million Californians. Journalists Gabrielle Paluch, Michele Chandler, and Gabrielle Canon, writing for the Palm Springs Desert Sun detail ways local medical professionals coped with power outages in their community. The authors also document the many ways a long
loss of power can effect those who rely on powered medical devices, or regular treatments such as dialysis patients.
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CAREGIVERS CONNECT: SF BAY AREA EVENTS
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There Must Be a Better Way Than This!
A Free One-Day Class for Dementia Caregivers
In this FCA class you’ll have the opportunity to learn tips and strategies for understanding and communicating effectively with someone living with dementia. This class will also cover how to handle difficult behaviors, how dementia impacts a person’s ability to understand and communicate, and how to feel more confident in your caregiving role.
Pre-registration is required and group size is limited. Please let us know if you have a disability and require specific accommodations. This class is specifically for family caregivers, not providers.
San Francisco
When: Wednesday, October 23, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
1550 Sutter Street, San Francisco 94109
Cost: No Charge
El Cerrito
When: Wednesday, October 30, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
6510 Gladys Avenue, El Cerrito 94530
Cost: No Charge
San Rafael
When: Thursday, November 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
4340 Redwood Highway, San Rafael 94903
Cost: No Charge
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Hoy por mi, Mañana por Ti — La Salud Para los Cuidadores Familiares
Una conferencia gratis para familiares y amigos que cuidan a un ser querido con demencia o una persona mayor con enfermedades crónicas. Aprenda de los expertos, participe en actividads terapéuticas en grupo, y disfrute un lonche gratuito. Como participantes ustedes tendran la oportunidad de educarce en los siguientes temas: Planificacion de cuidado avansado, tecnicas para superar resistencia de parte del el paciente. Y para terminar, los invitamos a una clase de yoga!
Cuando: sábado, 23 de noviembre, 9:30 a.m. a 2 p.m.
Donde: 30th Street Senior Center — tercer piso, sala principal
225 30th Street, San Francisco 94134
Este es un evento gratis. Por favor, llame para más información y para registrarse hoy mismo!
Comuníquese con Adriana Sanchez, (415) 434-3388 ext. 316 (habla español).
“Hoy por mi, mañana por ti. — Today for me, tomorrow for you.” is a free conference for Spanish speaking family and friends caring for someone with dementia, or an aging loved one. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about advance care planning, overcoming resistance, and will enjoy a light exercise activity. The Latino Forum is in Spanish.
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CAREGIVERS CONNECT: SF BAY AREA PARTNER EVENTS
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Reimagine End of Life
Reimagine End of Life is a community-driven exploration of death and celebration of life through creativity and conversation. Reimagine explores big questions about life and death. Drawing on the arts, spirituality, healthcare, and design, a week-long series of events are designed to break down taboos and bring diverse communities together in wonder, preparation, and remembrance.
When:
Thursday, October 24 to Sunday, November 3
Where:
Various locations in the San Francisco Bay Area
Cost:
Varies by event/ activity
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15th Annual Circle of Care Retreat—
Save the Date
The Circle of Care Retreat is for family members, caregivers, and those with MCI or early stage Alzheimer’s. Leading researchers will present key tips for brain health and slowing cognitive decline. Experts will share strategies for creating meaningful moments and bringing more laughter and joy. The Circle of Care Retreat also includes an interactive exhibitor fair.
For respite care or in-home care, please apply to the Alzheimer’
s Association respite grand fund. Contact Tiffany Mikles for an application:
tmikles@alz.org
. The application deadline is November 21.
When: Saturday, December 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: College of San Mateo
1700 West Hillsdale Boulevard, San Mateo 94402
Registration: Opening soon
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Do You Get Caregiving Policy Digest?
Published monthly, this e-newsletter focuses on legislation and policy, caregiving research, and media coverage of caregiving issues. Visit the
archive
for past issues and click
here
to subscribe.
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Professional Research
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 40 years.
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Follow FCA on Social Media!
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101 Montgomery Street | Suite 2150 | San Francisco, CA 94104
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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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Family Care Navigator
state-by-state resources
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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
Lana Sheridan
Contributors
Kathleen Kelly
Calvin Hu
Lana Sheridan
Leah Eskenazi
Executive Director
Kathleen Kelly
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FCA Board of Directors
President
M. Celine Takatsuno
Vice-President
Dan Lieberman
Treasurer
Wyatt Ritchie
Secretary
Kathleen Raffel
Athan Bezaitis
Amanda Breeden
Shruti Kothari
Catherine Lelong
Rajiv Mehta
Scott Peifer
Tiffany Riser
Keely Stevenson
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