Vol. 12, No. 10
October 2021
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Dear Friends:
October marks the unofficial start of the holiday season. For some, and especially children, it’s a time filled with fun, family gatherings, and celebrations. But for many family caregivers, the additional demands and expectations of the holidays can be a source of stress and anxiety, in addition to managing another winter under the shadow of COVID-19.
Family caregivers looking for assistance in managing caregiving during the holidays are encouraged to use our online service CareNav. CareNav provides a personalized dashboard loaded with information and resources that match your unique caregiving needs. FCA is also offering an online class on caregiving during the holidays, and our website features articles on self-care, depression, minimizing holiday stress, and managing siblings.
Sincerely,
Calvin Hu
Education Coordinator
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“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
— Laozi
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FCA Seeking Current or Former Caregivers for Video Series
Are you interested in sharing your caregiving experience as part of a new FCA video series? We are seeking current or former family caregivers to provide the learned experience about what is involved when providing care to individuals living with a neurodegenerative disease.
We are looking to connect with caregivers who are:
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caring (or cared) for someone living with Huntington’s disease, ALS, MS, or Parkinson’s disease,
- open to being interviewed and video recorded, and
- living in the San Francisco Bay Area (or are able to drive to a recording studio in the Bay Area).
We expect video recordings to take between 1-2 hours and can take place either at your home or another location. Participants will be offered a gift card for their time.
Please let us know your interest by Friday, November 5.
For more information: Contact Annie Roche by email at aroche@caregiver.org or leave your name and phone number at (415) 434-3388 ext. 317.
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Exhibición del documental “Enid & Mami”
Únase a nosotros para un breve documental “Enid & Mami”, que demuestra la vida diaria de Enid Mojica-McGinnis, educadora, pastora y cuidadora de su madre, Emilia Roman. El documental de 18 minutos ofrece un vistazo al humor, el honor y las dificultades del papel de ser una cuidadora, así como el vínculo especial que existe entre una madre y su hija.
Después del documental, únase a nosotros para un panel de discusión sobre las expectativas culturales asociadas con el cuidado de una personal mayor.
El documental también se transmitirá en Facebook Vivo de Family Caregiver Alliance
FCA will be screening the documentary “ Enid & Mami,” about the daily life of Enid Mojica-McGinnis, educator, pastor and caregiver to her mother, Emilia Roman. The documentary offers a glimpse into the humor, honor and hardships of the role of being a caregiver. A panel discussion will follow the screening. The documentary and discussion will be in Spanish, with English captions. To register in English, please click here.
Cuando: 4 de noviembre de 2021, 3 - 4 PM (Pacífico)
Costo: gratis
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Caregiver Party- Celebrating National Family Caregiver Month
Join FCA and fellow caregivers for a special party in your honor. November is National Family Caregiver month and this year FCA will be celebrating with a virtual (online) event. Activities include dance, games, and some surprises.
When: Monday, November 22, from 11 a.m. to 12:25 p.m. (PT)
Cost: No charge
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Celebrating Family Caregivers: Support, Community, Connection
In recognition of National Family Caregiver Month, the Caregiver Resource Centers (FCA is the San Francisco Bay Area Caregiver Resource Center) are hosting a free, virtual event for all family caregivers throughout California. The 11 CRCs will be presenting information about family caregiving, finding connection and community, and available resources.
When: Saturday, November 13, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (PT)
Where: Online
Cost: No charge
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Innovations in Alzheimer’s Caregiving Awards Accepting Applications
Deadline extended to November 1, 5 p.m. (PT)
The Innovations in Alzheimer’s Caregiving Awards, supported by The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation, the Bader Philanthropies, Inc. and administered by FCA, promote innovation in the field of Alzheimer’s caregiving by recognizing efforts that lead the way in addressing the needs of Alzheimer’s caregivers. One award of $20,000 will be presented to a nonprofit organization, government agency, or university in each of the following categories:
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The Creative Expression award encourages programs that use novel approaches to support persons with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and their family and informal caregivers.
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The Diverse/Multicultural Communities award recognizes outreach programs to family and informal caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias in ethnic, rural, religious, low-income, LGBT, and other diverse communities.
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The Public Policy award promotes programs that advocate for policy or systems change for the benefit of family and informal caregivers or persons with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias.
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¿Que Pasa? Boletin
¿Qué Pasa? Es un nuevo boletín electrónico enfocado en información y recursos relevantes a los cuidadores familiares de adultos del Área de la Bahía de San Francisco. La nueva edición incluye información sobre el mes del cuidador, derechos de los cuidadores, eventos gratuitos y mucho más.
¿Qué Pasa? Será publicado bimensual y para suscribirte, haz clic aquí.
¿Qué Pasa? is a new Spanish language newsletter focused on information and resources relevant to family caregivers in the San Francisco Bay Area.
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FCA is Hiring
We’re looking for qualified and interested applicants to fill a current opening in our San Francisco office. The position is Family Consultant. FCA is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and is committed to creating a diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Please click here for more information or to apply.
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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.
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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 October events, please click here. |
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Know Your Medicare Rights and Exercise Them: How Livanta Can Advocate For You
Medicare is the federal health insurance program primarily for individuals who are 65 or older. This program includes many rights and free services that not all beneficiaries understand. Learning about these rights can help you to advocate for yourself during hospital stays, and communicate more effectively with your care providers. Livanta is a Medicare-contracted Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) that provides help, support and resources for Medicare beneficiaries. A Quality Improvement Organization can help if you need to file an appeal regarding your discharge, have complaints about the quality of care received, or need an advocate to help you obtain the services you’ll need following discharge. This webinar discusses the many services and resources available at no charge to Medicare beneficiaries.
Objectives:
- Learn about no-cost support, advocacy, and assistance after a hospital discharge.
- Understand how a Quality Improvement Organization ensures patient rights are respected, and advocates for the best quality of care.
- Find ways to get healthcare assistance when you need it, and how to file an appeal if you do not agree with discharge.
- Learn how to file a complaint about the services provided during hospitalization, and how a Quality Improvement Organization can investigate your complaint.
- How you can use Livanta’s “Immediate Advocacy” program to resolve any problems you anticipate after you are discharged.
When: Wednesday, October 27, from 11 a.m. to 12 noon (PT)
Where: ONLINE
Cost: No Charge
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How Family Caregivers Can Lighten Their Workload
Being a family caregiver can be very taxing physically, emotionally, and financially. The weight of caregiving responsibilities often leads to burnout. Kim Painter writing for AARP gives ideas and advice on how caregivers can engage paid and volunteer help to lighten the caregiving load.
This article features insight and advice from FCA Clinical Services Director and Family Consultant Christina Irving.
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When Your Health Insurer Won’t Pay a Claim
Healthcare costs can be ruinously expensive. While insurance is supposed to protect against these unexpected costs, an insurer may not always pay for a claim. Next Avenue’s Cameron Huddleston shares different tactics individuals can use to appeal a claim that has been denied by healthcare insurance. |
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CAREGIVERS CONNECT:
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA 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. Read a Q&A about the series here.
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October 26
Hallows Eve-themed welcome back party
Let’s explore the spooky, fantastical, and cultural traditions that help us find light in the darkness this time of year! Feel free to come in costume with your favorite Halloween or holiday candy, food, decoration to show and tell!
November 2
Let’s go to Germany in the fall!
We welcome back Katrina for a travel recap with photos of her recent adventure, including a taste of German and Bavarian music!
November 9
“Butterflies, Hummingbirds, and beauty in flight around the world”
Come find solace while learning unusual facts about butterflies, hummingbirds, and beauty in flight around the world with Alicia!
November 16
Let’s Go to South Africa
Join us as we explore the ecological and historical riches of South Africa, as we begin our first of many visits to the magnificent and diverse African continent.
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November 23
no session for Thanksgiving week
November 30
Let’s explore wonders in Architecture
Join us as we explore the fascinating architecture in our NEW series; Strange Great Buildings from Around the World!
December 7
Let’s travel to British Columbia and the Yukon with Katrina!
We’ll take a road trip through BC and through the Yukon, stopping in favorite spots to learn about the beautiful landscape and culture!
December 14
Let’s explore Living on the Water
Ever imagined living life on the water? Wait until you see these yachts and houseboats on our water adventure around the world.
December 21
Winter Sing-Along with Katrina!
Bring your favorite songs and join Katrina in song and live violin renditions for a combination of winter, holiday, and folk favorites!
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When: Tuesdays, October 26 to December 21 (no session on November 23 due to Thanksgiving), from 1 to 2 p.m. (PT)
Where: Online
Cost: No charge
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Caregiving During the Holidays
The purpose of this class is to help discover and deal with all causes of stress as a caregiver especially during the holiday season, and most of all, to care for the health and well-being of caregivers.
When: Wednesday, November 17, 12 noon to 1 p.m. (PT)
Where: Online
Cost: No charge
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⽼年⼈腦退化症 101 (Dementia 101)
對於家庭照顧者來說, 照顧患有⽼年退化症的家⼈是⼀件⾮常艱難的⼯作。我們家庭者照顧聯盟現在提供⼀個關於怎樣能更明⽩有效地照顧以及怎樣與患⽼年退化症病⼈交流溝通的講座。這次的講座也會為照顧者提供⼀些怎樣處理⽼年⼈退化症病變應對的資訊。
時間: 講座將於11/19/2021 上午11點開始
費⽤: 不收費
網上課程鏈:
本講座將會為所有家庭照顧者開放,我們會以廣東話為主要語⾔進⾏本次講座。
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Giving Care
Educator, caregiver, poet and internationally published award winning author of sixteen books, Frances Kakugawa is here to take us on her personal journey, through her poetry and actual experiences, on how she rose above the challenges of caregiving and found meaning and dignity in caring for her mother who had Alzheimer’s disease.
Hear her read some poignant poems on her experiences and how poetry, story telling, use of language and humor became part of her tools in helping her transform from a scared caregiver into a capable and passionate caregiver.
She shares of lessons learned, and the choices confronting caregivers to either succumb to the realities of caregiving or to live with that small light of our own humanity by offering our loved ones, the dignity in living the last years of their lives.
This class is open to family caregivers in the San Francisco Bay Area (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties).
A short writing workshop with Frances Kakugawa will follow the lecture. This special program is co-sponsored by Kimochi.
When: Wednesday, November 17, 1 to 3 p.m. (PT)
Where: Online
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. |
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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!
You can also help support FCA by choosing us as your Amazon Smile charity. |
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CONNECTIONS CREDITS
Editors: Calvin Hu, Al Martinez
Contributors: Kathleen Kelly, Executive Director, Calvin Hu, Lana Sheridan, Leah Eskenazi
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President: M Celine Takatsuno
Vice-Presidents: Catherine Lelong, Ian Tong
Treasurer: Wyatt Ritchie
Secretary: Amanda Breeden Warner
Athan Bezaitis, Deborah Kan, Shruti Kothari, Dan Lieberman, Scott Peifer, Kathleen Raffel, Tiffany Riser, Karen Sperling, Keely Stevenson.
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101 Montgomery Street | Suite 2150 | San Francisco, CA 94104
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