Connections newsletter

Vol. 17, No. 7

July 2026

Dear Friends:

Being a family caregiver is often draining physically, financially, and emotionally. Feelings of isolation, common among caregivers, can worsen the emotional toll. Friends and family sometimes offer unsolicited caregiving “advice” that may lead to frustration or resentment because of their unwillingness to pitch in, or lack of understanding of the actual situation and the reality of providing care. Participating in a caregiver support group is one way to help manage feelings of isolation, anxiety, sadness, frustration, and grief by talking to those on the same journey. FCA hosts online support groups for caregivers living in the San Francisco Bay Area, including those supporting African American, LGBTQ, and young adult caregivers. Our Services by State tool can help those not living in our area to find local support groups.

Sincerely,

Calvin Hu

Education Coordinator

edprograms@caregiver.org

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”

— Mark Twain

FCA NEWS

New Smart Caregiving by FCA: When Caregivers Reject Offers of Support

To help lessen the workload, caregivers are often advised to seek assistance from others. There may however be situations where offers are not accepted. This Smart Caregiving post provides guidance to both caregivers and those offering help on how to better accept and offer support.

Improving Practice: New Training to Support Diverse Family Caregivers

Family caregivers are essential partners in care, yet their needs often go unrecognized — especially when cultural, linguistic, and social differences shape their caregiving experience. Health care workers and social workers are on the front lines of supporting these caregivers, and having the right skills and awareness can make all the difference.

To meet this need, FCA is proud to present the course “Improving Practice: Working with Diverse Family Caregivers.” This online training helps professionals deepen their understanding of diverse caregiving realities and adopt practical strategies to better support all families.

This four-hour, self-paced course is designed for all professionals who work with family caregivers, with special relevance for social workers. It is available in two versions: Free Version-- Open to all professionals at no cost & NASW-Approved CEU Version for 4 continuing education contact hours (nominal administrative fee).

This training is funded by CalGrows, an initiative of the California Department of Aging, dedicated to strengthening the caregiving workforce and improving services for all families.

INFORMATION YOU CAN USE

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.

Resistance

As a caregiver, you may experience resistance when your care receiver doesn’t do what you’ve asked them to do. When caring for someone with dementia, you may be frustrated by this resistance despite your best efforts to provide care. This new FCA fact sheet provides guidance for those struggling with resistance to common tasks including taking medication, bathing, eating, medical visits, and exercise.

How to Sleep Well

High quality sleep is essential for overall health and well-being. Family caregivers may find themselves in difficult situations if the person they care for requires frequent care even at night. Excessive worry or anxiety can also keep caregivers from getting a good night’s rest. While this challenge may not be easily managed, there are other small steps that can aid in getting a good night’s sleep. FCA has a short resource with quick tips on how to have the best chance for a restful night.

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.

Family Caregiver Services by State

FCA’s Services by State tool helps family caregivers locate programs and services nearest to the person they are caring for, whether they are living at home or in a residential facility. These resources include government health and disability programs, legal resources, disease-specific organizations and more. Caregiving is challenging, but there are resources to help. The Services by State tool provides information on state-specific resources, and also national resources and organizations.

Recent improvements to this resource tool were made possible through a generous grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation.

FCA Offers 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.

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 July events, please click here.

ARTICLES FOR CAREGIVERS

Caregiver Burnout — Why Generic Advice Fails and What Works

The demands of being a caregiver can often lead to burnout. Most caregivers understand they should practice self-care to try and avoid exhaustion, but many find it difficult to make the time. Alina Tugend writing for Kiplinger shares caregiver stories and provides ideas for caregivers to effectively practice self-care.

Who to Hire for Caregiving Help?

Many family caregivers find themselves unable to fulfill all the tasks and responsibilities of providing care. While not always possible or affordable, hiring paid help may be a way to help lessen the caregiving burden. Paul Wynn, writing for AARP, explains ways to find in-home help, and also touches briefly on how to pay.

CAREGIVERS CONNECT:

FCA EVENTS

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.

Aug 4th – Let’s Celebrate the Birthday and Music of Louis Armstrong!
Aug 11th – Let’s Explore the Philadelphia Museum of Fine Art!
Aug 18th – Encore! – Let’s Discover More Unusual Sea Creatures!
Aug 25th – Let’s Experience Candy Evolution Throughout History!
Sept 1st – Let’s Discover the Excitement of Amusement Parks Around the World!
Sept 8th – Let’s Hike Through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!
Sept 15th – Let’s Discover Some of Nature’s Unusual Animals!
Sept 22nd – Let’s Travel Through the Majesty of Italy’s Cathedrals!

When: Tuesdays, August 4 – September 22 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (Pacific)

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 & Disability Services, Sourcewise, and the California Department of Aging.

CAREGIVING POLICY DIGEST

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.

RESEARCH LISTINGS

Professional Research Listings

Graduate Student Research Listings

AND ...

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!