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Vol. 7, No. 9
September 15, 2016
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Dear Friends:
You may have noticed over the past couple of years, caregiving has increasingly become part of the local and national conversation. Policymakers, the news media, social media, coworkers, and neighbors have all taken note.
The greater public is beginning to understand the unsung work that caregivers provide, the value of which is estimated to be over
$450 billion
in the United States alone.
Part of FCA’s mission is to foster awareness about caregiving and to advocate for family caregivers. We’ve been working hard to
drive and support this encouraging change in the conversation about caregiving. Nationally, w
e’ve teamed up with partners to support the
CARE Act, RAISE Act, and the ACT Caucus. FCA also continues to connect caregivers with the media
to share
their stories and to help raise public awareness and increase public understanding about caregiving.
In San Francisco, we
’
ve launched a campaign to
promote awareness about caregiving
and are teaming up with local organizations to support
Proposition I
(the Dignity Fund).
Our admiration, respect, and compassion for caregivers is the driving force behind what we do at FCA, and we will continue to do our utmost to get caregivers the recognition and support they deserve, locally and nationally.
Sincerely,
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“Sometimes being a caregiver can be very draining and get you down at times, but it’s important to remember what a huge difference you can make in someone’s life. Not to mention how much you can learn from
the
people you care for.”
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Deadline Extended: $20,000 Award for Outstanding Programs Serving Alzheimer’s Caregivers
FCA is happy to announce the application deadline for the
Rosalinde Gilbert Innovations in Alzheimer’s Disease
Caregiving Legacy Awards
has been extended. The Caregiving Legacy Awards are possible thanks to the generous and
continuing support of
The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation
. These awards honor exceptional programs committed to helping Alzheimer’s caregivers.
A $20,000 prize will be given to winners in each of the following categories:
Creative Expression,
Diverse/Multicultural Communities, and
Policy and Advocacy.
For more information or to apply, visit FCA’s Gilbert Awards webpage.
Deadline for submissions is
Monday, October 10, 2016, 5 p.m. (Pacific Time)
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Action Alert: RAISE Family Caregivers Act
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Action Alert: San Francisco Dignity Fund
Proposition I is on the ballot this November in San Francisco and will establish the
Dignity Fund
. This fund will be used for services and support for seniors and adults with disabilities. The goal of the Fund is to ensure that San Francisco seniors and adults with disabilities are able to live safely and independently at home.
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Webinar for Military Caregivers — It Takes Courage After Fire: Navigating the Role of Caregiver
FCA is pleased to partner with
Easter Seals Dixon Center and Elizabeth Dole Foundation to host the October military caregiving webinar. This free webinar will explain the impact that 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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San Francisco LGBT Dementia Care Project
FCA will be working with the
Alzheimer’s Association and
Openhouse
on a unique project designed to increase access to dementia care for LGBT seniors and adults with disabilities. Free training will be offered to San Francisco health professionals and social service workers on the dementia care needs of this underserved population and their caregivers.
(800) 272-3900.
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Elizabeth Dole Foundation Now Accepting Applications for Dole Caregiver Fellows
Dole Caregiver Fellows represent the over five million military and veteran caregivers across the nation. These fellows
provide much needed firsthand experience, guidance, and advice to researchers, the media, and policy makers including members of Congress, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the White House. Both military and veteran caregivers of all eras are eligible to apply.
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Families Caring for an Aging America Report Released on 9/13
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Caregiving at Home: A Guide to Community Resources
Many seniors who can no longer live
independently without help, prefer to stay in their home rather than move to a care facility. A large amount of caregivers also prefer that loved ones stay at home for cultural, financial, or personal reasons. This revised and updated FCA Fact Sheet explains some of the community care options available to family caregivers such as care management services, legal counseling, and transportation services.
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Love and Burnout: Caregivers, Too, Need Care
The physical, emotional and financial demands of caregiving can often lead to caregiver burnout.
New York Times writer Constance Gustke shares some stories of caregivers who have suffered health problems, financial difficulties, and professional setbacks during their time as caregivers. The article also highlights some tips to prevent burnout like asking for help, joining a support group, or taking advantage of an adult day program to help lessen the burden of caregiving.
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Four Ways to Protect Your Retirement While Being a Caregiver
Caregiving usually requires a lot of time, energy, and emotional hardiness. It can also be very expensive and exhaust assets intended for retirement.
Rebecca Lake
writing in U.S. News & World Report, explains four
ideas on how to plan
for both caregiving and retirement, to minimize the chance that retirement funds are used as an emergency fund for caregiving costs.
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CAREGIVERS CONNECT: SF BAY AREA EVENTS
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Únase con FCA Para Nuestro Quinto Foro Latino (Join FCA for Our Annual Latino Forum)
Una conferencia Gratis para familiares y amigos hispanohablantes que cuidan a un ser querido con demencia o una persona mayor con enfermedades crónicas. Aprenda de los expertos, participe en una actividad terapéutica del grupo, y disfrute de desayuno gratuito.
For information in English, please click here.
Dia: Sábado, Octubre 1, 8:30 a.m. a 12:45 p.m. (registro y desayuno de 8 a.m. a 8:30 a.m.)
Lugar: Catholic Charities
50 Broad Street,
San Francisco 94112
(415) 434-3388 x 317
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Powerful Tools for Caregivers (new dates)
Powerful Tools is a free six-part class for family/ informal caregivers of those with
chronic health conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s, or stroke. At Powerful Tools you 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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Caregiver Conference: f
rom Crisis to Confidence
Join Avenidas and the City of Mountain View for a day long caregiver conference. The conference includes a key note speech by Lisa Krieger of the San Jose Mercury News, and three sessions with a choice of three speakers each on topics such as 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
Cost: $50 ($40 before September 26)
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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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