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Vol. 16, No. 3
March 2025
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Dear Friends:
March is National Nutrition Month, designed to promote healthy eating and physical activity. Poor diet can increase the risks of developing chronic illnesses and other health conditions including dementia. Unfortunately, many family caregivers may be eating an unhealthy diet due to factors like stress, strained finances, or time constraints. Fortunately, eating well does not need to be expensive or time consuming to prepare. FCA’s resources include an informative webinar presented by public health nutritionist Jocelyn Dubin who explains the tools you need to feed your body and brain, and reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s and other dementia.
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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Caregiver Retreat in Moraga, California: A Day of Recovery
FCA invites San Francisco Bay Area family and friend caregivers to join a one-day, in-person caregiver retreat on Saturday, May 17th from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Casita House, Casa de las Flores in Moraga.
Led by restorative retreat designer Wendy Figone, this event is free of charge. It offers caregivers a chance to step away from their daily responsibilities while reconnecting with body, mind and spirit—and experiencing a moment of peace amidst the demands of caregiving.
On this one-day retreat, participants will build community with fellow caregivers, engage in easy, joyful movement to enhance mobility and release stress hormones and gain practical tools to support peace-of-mind, foster resilience and promote holistic well-being. Parking and restrooms are easy to access and a healthy lunch will be provided.
When: Saturday, May 17th from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (lunch provided)
Where: Casita House at Hacienda de las Flores, Moraga, California
Cost: No charge to caregivers
Registration: Click here
Deadline to register: May 10, 2025
To learn more, please read our blog post.
This retreat is open to family and friend caregivers of all ages and all levels of experience with mindfulness, who care for an adult with onset neurodegenerative disorder or who is over the age of 60 and lives with a chronic health condition; and who live in the San Francisco Bay Area, including Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Women, men, non-gendered and trans individuals are all welcome.
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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 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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Assistive Technology
Sometimes called assistive devices, independent living aids, and adaptive equipment, assistive technology (AT) can help the person you care for live more independently. Assistive technology may also make your job as a caregiver easier and more enjoyable.
If you’re caring for someone with dementia, you may be worried about their falling, wandering, or getting lost. Certain types of AT can help. A person with a physical or cognitive impairment can use AT to make activities like dressing, bathing, grooming, eating, and toileting, a little easier.
This fact sheet describes different types of AT, addresses how to find AT, how to pay for devices, and how to decide what devices or home modifications you might need.
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Introducing In-Home Care When Your Loved One Says ‘No’
Being a caregiver can be extremely challenging. For some, the answer is in-home care, a service that helps lessen the caregiving work and responsibilities. However even if this is an option financially, many care recipients are resistant to strangers coming into their home to help. The help may be perceived as an invasion of privacy, a loss of independence, or a waste of money. Yet in-home assistance is often critical in offering caregivers a break and time to relax and rejuvenate.
There are ways to make this transition easier. This resource provides tips for making the person you are caring for feel more comfortable with in-home help.
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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 April events, please click here.
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I’m My 90-Year-Old Mom’s Caregiver, But I Still Want a Life. Help!
Taking on the role and work of caregiving can be overwhelming. Caregivers may even feel they are trapped by the weight of these responsibilities. To help caregivers navigate these challenging situations, AARP expert Barry J. Jacobs, provides grounded advice on caregiving choices; what is owed; and negotiation, disappointment, and guilt.
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Adult children caring for parents: What to know about filing taxes as a caregiver
Being a family caregiver may entail hands-on skills and tasks, but caregiving often includes financial support and out-of-pocket purchases. When filing taxes, you may in certain situations file deductions or claim a parent as a dependent. Madeline Mitchell, writing for USA TODAY explains these tax filing rules.
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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.
March 25th - Let’s Celebrate Spring All Over the World!
April 1st - Let’s Dive Deep Into the Ocean!
April 8th - Let’s Travel Around the World!
April 15th - Let’s Go Spelunking into the Hidden World of Caves!
April 22nd - Let’s Discover the Musical that Accompanies the Popular Song!
April 29th - Let’s Travel to the Natural Wonders of the Earth!
May 6th - Let's Experience Unusual Musical Instruments!
May 13th - Encore - Let's Explore More Waterfalls!
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When: Tuesdays, March 25 to May 13, 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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Aging 360 workshop: Making your home a partner in caregiving
This is a three session workshop designed by the nonprofit organization At Home With Growing Older to help you, as a caregiver, make the home the care receiver is living in more aging friendly. An architect and a social worker will co-lead the workshop sessions and discuss both simple, and more complex adaptations to the home to improve safety and livability while keeping the needs of someone with Parkinson’s or dementia in mind.
During this interactive workshop participants will evaluate where the home might present challenges and will experiment with one small change to make both caregiving easier and the person living with Parkinson’s or dementia more successful in their environment.
Participation in all three sessions is recommended to benefit from the individualized feedback of the facilitators and to learn from insights and solutions from other participants. Participation is limited to 20 participants. Aging 360 is for homeowners and renters.
Facilitator: Susanne Stadler, Architect, Inclusive design activist, Executive Director/At Home With Growing Older
When: April 2nd, 9th, and 16th, from 1:00 - 2:30pm PT/4:00 – 5:30pm ET
Cost: No charge
Registration: Click here
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Fremont, California Retreat
Please join FCA and the City of Fremont for a one-day retreat designed especially for you, the family caregiver. Enjoy a visit to Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose, located in the historic Mission San Jose district of Fremont. The tree lined campus includes a newly restored home from 1885, the largest mission-era olive grove in California, a labyrinth, and numerous gardens and green spaces throughout. You’ll enjoy a complimentary breakfast and lunch, educational presentations for caregivers, a therapeutic group activity, and a chance to share your experiences with other family caregivers.
Registration is required. This retreat is open to family caregivers.
For more information (or if the registration is full): edprograms@caregiver.org
When: Friday, May 2, from 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM (Pacific)
Location: Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose, 43326 Mission Circle, Fremont 94539
Cost: No charge
Registration: Click here
This program is presented by the City of Fremont in collaboration with Family Caregiver Alliance with additional funding by Alameda County Department of Adult and Aging Services 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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