Connections newsletter

Vol. 16, No. 10

October 2025

Dear Friends:

FCA works to educate, support, and advocate for family caregivers. We understand that caregivers are doing their best and are giving their all to those living with a chronic health condition, brain impairment like dementia, or other ailment. We’re always looking for new and more effective ways to assist and support family caregivers from all communities.

Some of the recent FCA caregiver programs and initiatives include:

Smart Caregiving by FCA: A new series that answers common questions asked by family caregivers featuring practical guidance and helpful resources and support.
Smart Patients: FCA has renewed its partnership with the online peer-to-peer support forum for patients and their families, allowing FCA to share caregiving presentations and facilitate caregiving-related discussions.
GUIDE: FCA partnered with Tembo Health to offer the GUIDE program, which focuses on comprehensive dementia care that addresses the medical needs of individuals and their families and helps with support services.
Disaster Planning: FCA has teamed up with Listos California, an emergency preparedness initiative, to offer tools and information you need to respond effectively in an emergency.
Support Group for African American Family Caregivers: We created a new support group focused on the challenges faced by African American caregivers in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Along with our existing caregiver support services, we hope these new programs will offer additional, worthwhile assistance during your caregiving journey.

Sincerely,

Calvin Hu

Education Coordinator

edprograms@caregiver.org

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”

— Aesop

FCA NEWS

Newly Published: Smart Caregiving by FCA: Holiday Caregiving

For many family caregivers, the holidays can bring additional stress and challenges related to family gatherings and social engagements. FCA has recently published a new Smart Caregiving resource to help caregivers better manage this hectic time. Suggested guidance incudes asking for what you need, re-setting expectations, and adapting holiday activities.

Please help FCA support family caregivers

Did you know that when you donate to Family Caregiver Alliance, a not-for-profit, you help us continue offering essential resources, support and advocacy for family caregivers? Each year, FCA supports thousands of family and friend caregivers as they navigate their caregiving journey.

While each journey is unique, the physical, emotional, and financial toll that caregiving often demands is noteworthy, and our efforts are directed at helping caregivers alleviate some of these great burdens. Please help us support family caregivers with your donation.

Medi-Cal: The Return of the Asset Limit

Below is an an update from our partners at California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR).

After a brief period of expanded access, California plans to reinstate the asset limit for Medi-Cal, once again placing financial eligibility restrictions on older adults seeking healthcare through the state’s Medicaid program. This policy change, effective January 1, 2026, marks a significant reversal from the recent efforts to eliminate barriers for older adults and people with disabilities. Many Medi-Cal beneficiaries want to know how to keep their benefits and services, especially given that the return of the asset limit is fast approaching. This article aims to provide some clarification based on recently released guidance from the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), which provides oversight to California’s Medi-Cal program.

Please click here to view the full post.

2025 California Legislative Session Wins

Advocates, representatives, and staff worked hard this session to pass some new policies to support older adults, people with disabilities, and family caregivers. Some of the wins and changes you can expect as a result include: Paid Family Leave eligibility, home care aides, and patient visitation.

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.

Building Community: Weekly Support Group for African American Caregivers (San Francisco Bay Area)

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.

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.

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.

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.

Dementia, Caregiving and Controlling Frustration

Frustration is a normal response to the very difficult job of dementia caregiving. However, extreme frustration is physiologically and mentally unhealthy, and can even lead to being physically or verbally aggressive. This FCA Fact Sheet will discuss some of the warning signs of frustration, how to remain calm, how to modify your thoughts, and other strategies to keep frustration under control.

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 October events, please click here.

ARTICLES FOR CAREGIVERS

Brushing Past Resistance: How Caregivers Can Help With Oral Health

Family caregivers may find that as the person they care for ages, they may be unable or unwilling to maintain good oral hygiene. This can lead to tooth and gum problems, and can also affect a person’s overall health. AARP’s Paul Wynn shares effective ways for caregivers to support good dental hygiene including using adaptive tools, managing dry mouth, and mobile dentistry.

Why Aging Affects Sleep and What To Do About It

Sleep is an important part of good health. As people age, they often find they sleep less than they used to, but this is usually because they are unable to get the sleep they need because of issues related to age. Next Avenue’s Kate Daniel explains why older adults may get less sleep, and offers tips on how to get a better night’s sleep.

CAREGIVERS CONNECT:

FCA EVENTS

How to Talk to Your Doctor

Being a family caregiver can be a very difficult journey and many find it emotionally, physically, and financially taxing. What can come as an unpleasant surprise to some is the first encounter with the health care system as a family caregiver. You may find the experience has left you frustrated, confused, and with a feeling of the system being very impersonal.

How to Talk to Your Doctor will help you to:

-understand the current realities of the health care experience

-identify and use more effective communication techniques with health care professionals

-learn and practice powerful communication tools and techniques in order to be a better advocate for the person you are caring for and yourself

When: Nov 10, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 11:00 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.

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: Nov 13, 1 PM – 3 PM (Pacific)

Where: ONLINE

Cost: No charge

Registration: Click here

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.

-November 4th

Encore – Let’s Spend Another Day at the Louvre in Paris, France!

-November 11th

Let’s Experience and Learn More About the Music of the Military!

-November 18th

Let’s Explore the Rugged Coastlines, Alpine Meadows, and Rainforests of Olympic National Park!

-November 25th

Encore – Let’s Travel the Globe to Move Through More Lighthouses!

-December 2nd

Let’s Discover and Celebrate Some Lesser Known December Holidays and Observances!

-December 9th

(In honor of National Crossword Day) Let’s Celebrate the People Who are Cruciverbalists!

-December 16th

Let’s Travel Around the World to Enjoy the Spectacular Decorations for the Holiday Season!

When: Tuesdays, Oct 21-Dec 16 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (Pacific)

Where: ONLINE

Cost: No charge

Registration: Click here

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!