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Dear Friends:
Caregiving work can take a big toll on a person’s emotional, physical, and financial health. Self-care is a practice and tool that can help reduce caregiver strain and stress and help you to recenter and relax. FCA's Caregiver Relaxation Exercises Series provides seven activities that can be performed in minutes. You can practice one or more exercises on the train to work, waiting in line at the pharmacy, or while the person you are caring for uses the bathroom. We hope these simple exercises can help you decompress and support your other self-care practices. The Caregiver Relaxation Exercises Series is also available in Cantonese, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
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: When Is It Right to Move My Wife into Residential Care?
Smart Caregiving is FCA’s newest caregiver resource designed to tackle a common caregiving question or challenge, giving practical guidance, information, and resources. This month, FCA has published When Is It Right to Move My Wife into Residential Care? You can also read other posts in the Smart Caregiving series here.
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Caregiver Retreat: A Day of Recovery
FCA recently teamed up with restorative retreat designer Wendy Figone to offer a one-day, in-person family caregiver retreat. Hosted at Casita House in Moraga, the retreat helped caregivers reconnect with their bodies, minds and spirits—and find a moment of peace in the midst of their caregiving journeys.
The focus of the retreat was to unwind for a day, build community with fellow caregivers, and engage in easy, joyful movement to enhance mobility and release stress. The group also gained practical tools to support peace-of-mind, foster resilience and promote holistic well-being.
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Innovations in Alzheimer’s Caregiving Awards 2024 Scrapbook
The Innovations in Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiving Legacy Awards program
recognizes and rewards organizations that lead the way in addressing the needs of Alzheimer’s caregivers. The 2024 awards include Jewish Family Services, Lorenzo’s House, and California Elder Justice Coalition (CEJC). Please click here to learn more about these award winning organizations, or view the updated Innovations scrapbook.
The awards are made possible by support from The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation and the Bader Philanthropies, Inc.
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Building Community: Weekly Support Group for African American Caregivers
Despite disproportionate stress experienced by African American caregivers in our culture, support services designed for this community are few and far between. That’s why Family Caregiver Alliance is excited to announce our African American support group.
This recurring online gathering will be hosted by FCA Family Consultant Norell Wheeler, MPH / MBH, and will provide a safe space for caregivers to build community, discuss caregiving topics, and share healing self-care practices.
When: 2025 schedule runs March 4 – April 1; May 6 – June 3; July 8 -August 5; September 9– October 7; November 11 – December 9
Who: San Francisco Bay Area family caregivers of Black/African descent who care for someone with adult onset neurodegenerative disorder or who have a chronic health condition and are over the age of 60.
Registration is ongoing. Visit the FCA Support Groups page to learn more.
Men, women, non-gendered and trans individuals are all welcome.
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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.
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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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Stroke
A stroke is an injury to the brain caused when the brain’s blood supply is interrupted or greatly reduced. The brain is deprived of oxygen and nutrients, and brain cells begin to die within minutes. For that reason, a stroke is considered a medical emergency and requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. Stroke is a common injury that strikes nearly 800,000 Americans each year. This FCA fact sheet provides information on symptoms, risk factors, and caregiving for those living with stroke.
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Caregiving with Your Siblings
Providing care for your parents can be complicated. When your brothers and sisters are also involved, caregiving can become even more complex. While your siblings can be enormously helpful and your best support, they can also be a source of stress. This in-depth resource by Francine Russo covers the family dynamics that can impact caregiving, ways your siblings can help, how to increase your chances of getting that help, and how to deal with emotions that arise.
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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 July events, please click here.
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Going the Distance: Traveling With a Loved One Who Has Dementia
Summer vacation is a leisure activity that is eagerly anticipated by people around the globe. For caregivers, the ability to take a short or long trip can be difficult or perhaps not practical. Joanne Cleaver writing for Next Avenue gives guidance for dementia caregivers wanting to bring the person they care for on vacation.
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How Unmarried Couples Can Plan for Caregiving
It is estimated that tens of millions of unmarried couples live together. Unlike married couples however, in most cases unmarried couples do not have the same next of kin rights that come into play during incapacity or other serious medical emergencies. AARP writer Paul Wynn explains the legal documents and planning needed to help guard against these risks.
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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.
June 3rd - Let’s Travel to Madagascar!
June 10th - Encore - Let’s Explore Breathtaking More Waterfalls!
June 17th - Let’s Travel to Iceland!
June 24th - Let’s Explore the Art Collection at the Louvre Museum in Paris, France!
July 1st - Let’s Experience Independence Days Celebrated Around the World!
July 8th - Encore - Let’s Discover Amazing Natural Wonders All Over the World!
July 15th - Let's Follow the Light and Tales Surrounding Lighthouses!
July 22nd - Encore - Let's Experience More Unusual Instruments!
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When: Tuesdays, June 3 to July 22, 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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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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