We hope that despite the hardships and disruptions of COVID-19, you have been able to find time for your own self-care. FCA has been working hard to offer the same counseling, support, and resources that we provided before COVID-19. For those family caregivers in the San Francisco Bay Area, in-home family consultations have been replaced with phone consultations and video chat meetings.

Many in-person classes are now being offered online like There Must Be a Better Way Than This! and Dementia 101. Non English classes include Demencia 101 (Dementia 101), 與您醫生溝通的技巧 (How to Talk to Your Doctor), and Ang Pangangalaga Sa Mahal sa Buhay Sa Panahon ng Kapaskuhan (Taking Care During the Holidays). For readers outside of the San Francisco Bay Area, there are many options available like Let’s Get Away, Together Fall Series and the Well-Being Tips: Stress Management for Caregivers webinar.

Innovations in Alzheimer’s Caregiving Legacy Awards Accepting Applications 

The Innovations in Alzheimer’s Caregiving Awards, administered by FCA, promote innovation in the field of Alzheimer’s caregiving by recognizing efforts that lead the way in addressing the needs of Alzheimer’s caregivers. One award of $20,000 will be presented to a nonprofit organization, government agency, or university in each of the following categories:

The application deadline is October 30, 2020. Click here to submit an online application.

The Six-Week Online Support Group is returning for a winter session. This online group provides a place for family caregivers to get support and hear from other caregivers. It is moderated by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and is open to caregivers who are caring for someone 60 or older with any diagnosis or between the ages of 18-59 with an adult onset cognitive or neurological impairment. Once you complete the registration below, someone will reach out to you to confirm attendance and provide the Zoom meeting information.

When: Six consecutive Tuesdays, November 10, 17, 24, December 1, 8, and 15, from 3 to 4:30 p.m

Cost: No charge

Registration: Click here

The California Caregiver Resource Centers (CRC) serve families and caregivers of adults affected by chronic and debilitating health conditions (FCA is the San Francisco Bay Area CRC). FCA is now hosting a calendar of classes, workshops, and events compiled from each of the 11 CRCs and open to family caregivers across the country.

Upcoming events include:

To view all the CRC offerings please click here.

Go online to complete a brief questionnaire and get a personal dashboard loaded with information that matches your unique caregiving needs. CareNav, 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.

A conservator is a court-appointed individual who manages the affairs of someone incapable of doing so themselves. One of the main advantages of conservatorship is that conservators are appointed and operate under the strict oversight of a court. However, since a conservator is charged with making financial and medical decisions on behalf of another adult, the conservatorship process is often expensive and slow. FCA’s tip sheet outlines the advantages and disadvantages of conservatorship, and offers less comprehensive but simpler alternatives.

Many family caregivers are limiting their contact with others to lessen the risk of getting COVID-19. 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.

As caregivers, we always have to balance managing the needs of the people we care for and taking care of your own needs. Unfortunately, our own health and well-being as caregivers often suffers as responsibilities and tasks pile up. This session will focus on key aspects of well-being, and how to make time for daily check-ins with yourself. We will focus on building on your current coping and stress management activities.

Presenter: Amy Sobrino is a licensed clinical social worker specializing in working with people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia and their care partners. To see her full bio, please click here.

When: Wednesday, November 18, 11 a.m. to 12 noon (PT)

Where:  ONLINE

Cost: No Charge

Contact: Calvin Hu, chu@caregiver.org, (415) 434-3388 

Registration: Click here

Planning for incapacity or death allows adults to have a voice when the unexpected may occur or when a terminal condition runs its course. Making arrangements ahead of time can help see that a person’s wishes and values are respected. Mother Jones Editor-in-Chief Clara Jeffery shares the story of the end-of-life of her father, who did not die of COVID-19, but whose last days were made more complicated by the disease.

Being a caregiver to someone living with dementia can be extremely difficult and draining. Denial, uncontrolled emotional responses, and the urge to correct a loved one can make dementia caregiving harder than it already is. Barry J. Jacobs, clinical psychologist, AARP Caregiving Advisory Panel member, and former dementia caregiver shares important tips on how to better cope with memory loss in a loved one.

This series is comprised of interactive travel activity sessions with each week focusing on a new part of the country 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.

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.

Learn something new about our 49th state through breathtaking views, fun facts, and inspiring music.

Let’s celebrate the season of fall, costumes welcomed!! We might even have a contest so think big and have fun preparing!

When: Eight Consecutive Tuesdays, September 8, 15, 22, 29, and October 6, 13, 20, 27, from 1 to 2 p.m. (PT)

Cost: No charge

Registration: Click here

Cuidando a alguien que vive con demencia posa retas unicas para cuidadores familiares. Esta clase le proveera un entendimiento basico de la demencia y como afecta al individuo. Demencia 101 tambien incluyira algunos tips para cuidadores en como pueden afrontrar los cambios asociados con la demencia.

Cuando: miércoles, noviembre 18, de 12:00 a 1:30 de la tarde.

Costo: gratis

Registracion: Adriana Sanchez, asanchez@caregiver.org, (415) 434-3388 extension 316

In this FCA class for family caregivers, 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.

When: Thursday, November 19, from 1 to 3 p.m.

Cost: No charge

Registration: Click here

與您醫生溝通的技巧 (How to Talk to Your Doctor)

歡迎大家！我叫泰莎Tessa，希望您能從這堂課中學到一些幫助您與醫生溝通的技巧 。

時間: 12月3日, 星期四, 上午11點至下午1點

費用: 不收費

註冊: 點擊這裡

Caring for someone living with dementia poses many unique challenges for family caregivers. This class will provide a basic understanding of dementia and how it affects an individual. Dementia 101 will also include some tips for caregivers on how to cope with these changes.

When: Friday, December 4, from 2 to 3:15 p.m.

Where: Online

Cost: No charge

Registration: Click here

Ang Pangangalaga Sa Mahal sa Buhay Sa Panahon ng Kapaskuhan (Taking Care During the Holidays)

Ang webinar na ito and inihahandog ng Family Caregiver Alliance para sa mga tagapangalaga (caregivers) na ang pangunahing pananalita ay Tagalog. Ang layunin ng webinar na ito ay para tulungang tuklasin at harapin ang lahat ng dahilan ng mga “stress” ng mga caregivers lalo na sa panahon ng kapaskuhan, at higit sa lahat ay pangangalagaan ang kalusugan at kapakanan bilang isang caregiver.

When: Friday, December 11, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. (PT)

Where: Online

Cost: No charge

Registration: Click here

This online group provides a place for family caregivers to get support and hear from other caregivers. It is moderated by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and is open to caregivers who are caring for someone 60 or older with any diagnosis or between the ages of 18-59 with an adult onset cognitive or neurological impairment. Once you complete the registration below, someone will reach out to you to confirm attendance and provide the Zoom meeting information.

When: Six consecutive Tuesdays, November 10, 17, 24, December 1, 8, and 15, from 3 to 4:30 p.m

Cost: No charge

Registration: Click here

This group focuses on the needs and unique challenges faced by caregivers 40 and under. FCA’s Young Adult Caregiver Support Group meets monthly online (via Zoom) on the 1st Thursday, and 3rd Thursday — 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Zoom login details will be provided with registration. To register contact Rachel, (415) 434-3388 ext. 331 or email rcreed@caregiver.org.

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

Have you been caring for a loved one at home? Do you want to learn how to get more support to help you in your role? Would you like to see a powerful new film about a family caregiver that recently won Best Short Documentary at a large film festival? If you answered yes to any of these questions, we have the perfect program for you. Join us for a free, virtual workshop for current family caregivers living in San Francisco or Alameda Counties. The program runs on Zoom and takes between 1.5 to 2 hours. If you have any questions about this program, you can contact us at caregiver@jessicazitter.com.

When: Sunday, October 18, from 2 to 4 p.m. or

Thursday, October 22, from 7 to 9 p.m.

Where: Online

Cost: No charge

This webinar features three of the world’s leading caregiver support organizations: National Alliance for Caregiving, FCA, and the Alzheimer's Association. Speakers will highlight new telehealth resources made available in the face of the pandemic, discuss how COVID-19 has impacted the international caregiver support landscape, emphasize specific needs that are ripe for telehealth innovation, as well as set a vision for how caregiver support will change moving forward. This webinar series is co-hosted by the Transatlantic Telehealth Research Network (TTRN), the International Society for Telemedicine & eHealth, CITRIS and the Banatao Institute, the Public Health Institute, and UC Davis Health, and sponsored by the Gary and Mary West Foundation.

When: Tuesday, October 20, from 9 to 10 a.m.

Where: Online

Cost: No charge

Registration: Click here

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.

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