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Vol. 10, No. 9

September 20, 2019

Dear Friends:

Autumn is here, the first signal that the holiday season is soon approaching. For many family caregivers this can be a time that brings unique challenges, upending carefully planned routines and introducing the opinions and judgments of visiting family and relatives.

For those caregivers who expect difficulties along with the more pleasant holiday cheer, planning and preparation may help smooth over conflicts and other problems. FCA has a number of holiday articles on topics that include holiday stress, caregiving with siblings, and finding gratitude. FCA’s webinar, Caregiving Through the Holidays, focuses on managing expectations and practicing self-care.

Sincerely,

Calvin Hu

Education Coordinator

[email protected]

Innovations in Alzheimer’s Caregiving Legacy Awards Seeking Submissions

FCA, in partnership with the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation and the Helen Daniels Bader Fund, a Bader Philanthropy is pleased to announce the 2019 Innovations in Alzheimer’s Caregiving Legacy Awards.

There are three $20,000 awards in the following categories: Creative Expression, Diverse/Multicultural Communities, and Public Policy.

Visit our information page for directions and a link to the online application. Previous applicants are encouraged to apply again. Please share this announcement with any nonprofit or public organizations who are potential candidates for an award.

Click here to apply

Deadline: Friday, October 4, 2019, 5 p.m. (Pacific Time)

To view our online scrapbook (with profile descriptions, photos, and video) of the recipients celebrating 11 years of the Legacy Awards, please click here .

FCA is Hiring

FCA is looking for qualified and interested applicants to fill a current opening in our San Francisco office for a Social Worker - Family Consultant position. FCA’s Family Consultants are responsible for conducting comprehensive caregiver assessments, care planning, and on-going consultation and education with family caregivers.

For more information and to apply, click here .

Step Out of the Spin Cycle: What to Know About Quitting Your Job to Provide Care

Whether the need to care for an elderly loved one emerges suddenly or gradually, a time can come when we think it’s necessary to quit our job and withdraw from other aspects of life to fulfill our caregiving responsibilities. While this may seem like the best or even the only path to take, this choice can have unexpected emotional, financial, medical, and social repercussions for both the caregiver and the care receiver that should be thought through before a final decision is made. This webinar will focus on the advantages and disadvantages of quitting a job to become a full-time caregiver to a loved one, raise other considerations when making this important decision, and discuss the team approach to caregiving.

To view a recording of this webinar, please click here .

To view or download a copy of the webinar slides, please click here .

Fraud Alert: Genetic Testing Scam

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General has issued an alert about genetic testing scams. Genetic testing scammers operate over the phone, but can be also found at health fairs or going door to door looking for victims. Scammers use genetic tests as a ruse to commit identity theft or Medicare fraud. The alert explains how the scams work, and ways to protect yourself.

Is Dying at Home Overrated?

If given a choice, the vast majority of Americans would choose to die at home. Richard Leiter is a palliative care physician whose job includes asking his patients this very question. Writing for the New York Times, Dr Leiter explains how dying at home can bring unexpected complications and trade-offs for patients, and can involve challenging and extensive caregiving responsibilities for family and friends. Dr Leiter also shares his personal decision-making, when his late grandmother took a final turn for the worse.

IKEA and Queen of Sweden Adapt Modular BoKlok Housing for the Elderly

Sweden, like the United States, is grappling with the needs of an aging population. To address the desires of the elderly wishing to age in place, Ikea joint venture company BoKlok has partnered with Queen Silvia of Sweden’s dementia care foundation (Silviahemmet) to redesign prefabricated BoKlok apartments. Editorial assistant Lizzie Crook of online architecture and design magazine Dezeen, shares some of the special features including entrances that can accommodate wheelchairs, automatic doors, and increased lighting. There will also be design changes for those living with dementia, including sensors for stoves and calming interior finishes.

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.

Where: Coventry Place, Main Activities room, fifth floor

1550 Sutter Street, San Francisco 94109

Cost: No Charge

Registration: Adriana Sanchez,  [email protected], (415) 434-3388 x 316

El Cerrito

When: Wednesday, October 30, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: El Cerrito Royale , 3rd Floor lounge

6510 Gladys Avenue, El Cerrito 94530

Cost: No Charge

Registration: Amanda Hartrey,  [email protected], (415) 434-3388 x 334

San Rafael

When: Thursday, November 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: Alzheimer’s Association, Suite F-138

4340 Redwood Highway, San Rafael 94903 

Cost: No Charge

Registration: Amanda Hartrey,  [email protected] , (415) 434-3388 x 334

Be Part of the Plan! California Master Plan for Aging

The Master Plan for Aging was created via executive order by Governor Gavin Newsom. The plan will serve as a blueprint that can be used by state government, local communities, and private organizations to build environments that promote healthy aging, and will be completed on October 1, 2020.

At Be Part of the Plan!, community members will have the opportunity to engage with policy makers and politicians on the Master Plan for Aging, learn more about the plan, and better understand how the process will work. Opening remarks will be delivered by Governor Newsom (via video).

This event will also be broadcast online. To register please click here .

When: Friday, September 20, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Where: Hyatt Regency San Francisco

5 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco 94111

Cost: No charge

Registration: Click here

Compassion Cultivation Training for Family Caregivers

The City of Fremont Family Caregiver Support Program is pleased to offer an eight-week Compassion Cultivation Training for family caregivers caring for elderly loved ones. Everyone has a natural capacity for compassion; unfortunately, caregiving stress, everyday stress, social pressures, and strong emotions can make it difficult to fully express compassion. This training can increase self-compassion and self-care, reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and enhance your connection with others and your loved ones.

 

Schedule:

September 18: Settling the Mind

September 25: Loving-Kindness and Compassion for Loved One

October 2: Self Compassion

October 9: Loving-Kindness for Oneself

October 16: Common Humanity

October 23: Cultivating Compassion for Others

October 30: Active Compassion

November 6: Integrated Practice

November 13 (Optional): Post Training Discussion

Pre-registration is required. This program is available at no cost to all family caregivers of Tri-city area. Donations to City of Fremont are greatly appreciated. If you require special accommodation please call or e-mail three weeks prior to start of the workshop series. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate professional caregivers at these workshops.

When: Wednesdays, September 18 to November 6, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: HR Training Room, City of Fremont

3300 Capitol Ave, Building B

Fremont 94537

Cost: No charge

Registration: Frishta Sharifi, [email protected], (510) 574-2035

Memory Cafe

Memory cafes provide a safe and supportive space where people living with memory loss and their caregivers can socialize, participate in activities, and relax. You are invited to join fellow caregivers and care receivers for a memory cafe at the Trousdale Wellness Center.

This memory cafe is sponsored by Burlingame Parks and Recreation, Catholic Charities, the Peninsula Health Care District, and Rotary International.

Schedule:

-October 2 - chair yoga

-November 6 - music & memory

-December 4 - photo sharing

When: Wednesdays, monthly, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Trousdale Wellness Center

1875 Trousdale Drive, Burlingame 94010

Cost: No charge

Registration: (650) 558-7300

Healthy Aging and Wellness EXPO

The Healthy Aging and Wellness Expo is a free event by the County of Santa Clara Department of Aging and Adult Services and is open to the aging community, their caregivers, service providers, and the public. The expo will include organizations presenting information on health insurance options and Medicare, elder abuse, mental health, legal resources, social services, Alzheimer’s information and support, in-home care, and more. The expo also features giveaways, prizes, free health screenings, and fitness demonstrations.

Free parking validation is available for 4th and 6th Street garages. Interpreters will be available on-site.

When: Wednesday, October 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where:   San Jose City Hall

200 East Santa Clara Street, San Jose 95112

Cost: No charge

Registration: Click here

16th Annual Caregiver Conference, Caregiving Re-Imagined

Join Avenidas and the City of Mountain View for a day-long caregiver conference. The conference includes nine informational workshops, special group sessions, and door prizes. Conference attendees will also enjoy an included lunch and afternoon dessert and beverages.

When: Saturday, September 28, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Where:  Mountain View Senior Center

266 Escuela Avenue, Mountain View 94040

Cost: $45 ($50 at the door)

Registration: Click here

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 September 2019 Caregiving Policy Digest

The entire September 2019 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.

FCA has led the way in supporting family caregivers for over 40 years.

Your donation makes all the difference!

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