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Vol. 16, No. 2
February 2025
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Dear Friends:
FCA’s mission is to improve the quality of life for family caregivers and the people who receive their care. One way we work to achieve this goal is to offer high-quality educational resources that provide practical guidance on caregiving questions. FCA’s FAQ is another educational resource for those seeking answers to common caregiving questions. Finally, those in search of more personalized or tailored information are encouraged to use our free online tool, CareNav®, designed from the ground up to support caregivers 24/7.
Sincerely,
Calvin Hu
Education Coordinator
edprograms@caregiver.org
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“Perseverance is failing 19 times and succeeding the 20th.”
— Julie Andrews
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Smart Caregiving by FCA: Backup Planning
Many family caregivers shoulder the responsibilities of providing care alone. Others have the benefit of working with a “team” of family, relatives, and friends to provide care, but are the primary caregiver and the coordinator of all care. Should you fall ill, be injured, or are incapacitated, what then will happen to the person you are caring for? Backup planning is a way to provide for care should something happen to you, please click here to learn more.
Smart Caregiving is a new FCA series that tackles common problems and provides practical guidance for struggling family caregivers.
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Newly Translated Fact Sheets
FCA seeks to support family caregivers including those with diverse backgrounds. For those family caregivers who are more comfortable reading in other languages, FCA has translated the follwing fact sheets into Spanish, Chinese (traditional), Vietnamese, and Tagalog:
Residential Care Options: Housing Options
(Spanish, Chinese (traditional), Vietnamese, and Tagalog)
What if Something Happens to Me
(Spanish, Chinese (traditional), Vietnamese, and Tagalog)
Considerations for Young Adult Caregivers
(Spanish, Chinese (traditional), Vietnamese, and Tagalog)
FCA’s website is also available in Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.
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Dementia-friendly Movie Experience in the San Francisco Bay Area: Hairspray
Join FCA and community partners for this dementia-friendly film screening. While the event is not exclusively for people with dementia, it is especially well-suited for individuals affected by dementia and must be accompanied by either their partners, family members, or professional caregivers. Everyone is welcome; however, please be aware that some attendees may talk or sing during the film, move around, or leave the cinema. Sound and light adjusted.
Admission is FREE and one small popcorn per person will be provided. Drinks and
other snacks are available for purchase.
When: Tuesday, March 18, starting at 1:30 p.m.
Where: Fox Theatre, 2215 Broadway, Redwood City CA
For more information and to RSVP: (650) 780-5705 or MicheleEpstein@ossmc.org
This special event is presented by FCA, San Mateo County Aging & Adult Services, the Alzheimer’s Association, Ombudsman Services of San Mateo County, Inc., and The Fox Theater.
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FCA Offers A New Program For Caregivers of People With Dementia
For those facing the challenges of dementia, FCA and Tembo Health have partnered to deliver comprehensive dementia care directly to family caregivers’ homes through the CMS GUIDE Model. It’s free for those with traditional Medicare.
The innovative GUIDE Model (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience) is designed to transform dementia care, by focusing on a person-centered approach that empowers individuals with dementia and their caregivers.
GUIDE offers: comprehensive care planning, caregiver support, access to critical services (like respite care, transportation, and home modifications), and peace of mind.
To learn more about the GUIDE program and schedule a complimentary consultation click here.
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Get Your Own Personalized Caregiving Resource Dashboard
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.
To learn more, click here or register here.
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Taking Care of YOU: Self-Care for Family Caregivers
Self-care is an important, and often overlooked, aspect of caregiving. Practicing self-care will help with mental, emotional, and physical health and will also benefit the person for whom you are providing care. Reading Taking Care of YOU is a useful first step in practicing self-care. Some of the topics covered in this fact sheet include identifying personal barriers, reducing stress, seeking goals, and starting to exercise.
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Dementia and Driving
A diagnosis of dementia may not mean that a person can no longer drive safely. Most dementia, however, is progressive, meaning that symptoms such as memory loss, visual-spatial disorientation, and decreased cognitive function will worsen over time. A person’s driving skills will decrease and, eventually, he or she will have to give up driving. This FCA fact sheet provides a good starting point for this difficult situation.
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Seeking That Elusive Good Night Sleep
Most adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep each night for optimum performance, health, and safety. Unfortunately, caregivers often find themselves exhausted at the end of the day, but many are still not able to sleep. This FCA tip sheet suggests some ways to help get a good night’s sleep, and includes resources for those in need of additional information.
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Caregiver Resource Center Classes
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.
For more information on February events, please click here.
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Psychologist shares beautiful advice for talking to people with dementia
Being a caregiver to someone living with dementia is often considered one of the most challenging types of caregiving. A common dilemma is when a person living with dementia doesn’t remember that a cherished spouse has died, is it better to lie to them, or be completely truthful? Annie Reneau writing for Upworthy, shares insight by Psychologist David McPhee on how to tackle this challenging situation.
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What to Tell Grandkids When a Grandparent Has Dementia
Many adults find dementia behaviors extremely challenging and have difficulty coping. For children, seeing the changes in behavior and mood of a grandparent living with dementia can be confusing, distressing, even frightening. AARP’s Cameron Huddleston provides age-appropriate guidance to parents or guardians seeking to explain and reassure children with grandparents living with dementia.
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CAREGIVERS CONNECT:
FCA EVENTS
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Let’s Get Away, Together
This series is comprised of interactive sessions with each week focusing on a new place or cultural activity, while incorporating storytelling, music, poetry writing, and/or a simple craft. Each session will include a follow-up 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.
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January 14
Let’s Discover the Fascinating World of Hummingbirds and Butterflies!
January 21
Let’s Travel to England's Golden Age and the Reign of Elizabeth 1 !
January 28
Let’s Delight in the Wonders of Shakespeare! Music Included!
February 4
Let’s Learn All About Drones!
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February 11
Let’s Discover the Many Angles of World Famous Love Stories!
February 18
Let’s Travel to Egypt for the Opening of the Tomb of King Tutankhaman!
February 25
Encore - Let's Travel Back to Brazil!
March 4
Let's Travel Off the Beaten Path to Explore More Often Overlooked Countries/Locations!
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When: Tuesdays, January 14 to March 4, from 1 to 2 p.m. (Pacific time)
Where: ONLINE
Cost: No charge
Registration: Click here
This class is funded by Alameda County Department of Adult and Aging Services, Contra Costa County Area Agency on Aging, the City of San Francisco’s Department of Disability and Aging Services, San Mateo County Aging and Adult Services, Sourcewise, and the California Department of Aging.
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Ambiguous Loss & Anticipatory Grief
Ambiguous loss and anticipatory grief are both types of grief that can occur when there is a sense of loss and uncertainty. These under-recognized types of grief often show up for caregivers while they are providing care, before a person dies. Grieving before a person dies can be confusing and difficult as it is ongoing. Please join us for an overview of these unique types of grief and learn about tools that can help navigate them.
When: Wednesday, Mar 5 | 10 AM - 11 AM (Pacific)
Cost: No charge
Registration: Click here
This class is funded by Alameda County Department of Adult and Aging Services, Contra Costa County Area Agency on Aging, the City of San Francisco’s Department of Disability and Aging Services, San Mateo County Aging and Adult Services, Sourcewise, and the California Department of Aging.
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There Must Be A Better Way Than This!
This 2-hour class will help participants understand what dementia is, and the challenging behaviors that sometimes accompany the disease. We will review strategies to help handle these behaviors and help enhance your communication with the person who has dementia.
Registration is only open to non-professional caregivers (family members and friends) who live in the following counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara.
When: Thursday, Mar 27 | 1 PM – 3 PM (Pacific)
Cost: No charge
Registration: Click here
This class is funded by Alameda County Department of Adult and Aging Services, Contra Costa County Area Agency on Aging, the City of San Francisco’s Department of Disability and Aging Services, San Mateo County Aging and Adult Services, Sourcewise, and the California Department of Aging.
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Save the Date: Retreat in Moraga, CA
Join FCA for a special retreat for family caregivers. This event will integrate nature and mindfulness to provide respite to family caregivers. Caregivers will also learn tools and techniques to appreciate nature in their day to day activities.
When: Saturday, May 17 | 9:30 AM - 3 PM (Pacific)
Where: Hacienda de las Flores and Pavilion, 2100 Donald Drive, Moraga
Cost: No charge
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Caregiving Policy Digest is a publication of the National Center on Caregiving, a program of Family Caregiver Alliance. The newsletter offers a fresh look at the rapidly changing world of caregiving policy―at the local, national, and international levels.
You’ll receive briefings on key legislation, news on innovative public programs, and the latest information on caregiving and long-term care policy at national and state levels. Subscribe here.
Click here to view archived issues of Policy Digest.
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Professional Research Listings
Graduate Student Research Listings
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Thank you!
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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CONNECTIONS CREDITS
Editors: Calvin Hu, Al Martinez
Contributors: Kathleen Kelly, Executive Director, Calvin Hu, Ingrid Olivar, Leah Eskenazi
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President: Ian Tong
First Vice President: Karen Sperling
Second Vice President: Deborah Kan
Treasurer: Keely Stevenson
Secretary: Amanda Warner
Amber Christ, Shruti Kothari, Mary Ellen Kullman, Sarita Mohanty, Ambika Pajjuri, Tiffany Riser, Wyatt Ritchie, Marda Stothers
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235 Montgomery Street | Suite 930 | San Francisco, CA 94104
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