Connections newsletter

Vol. 13, No. 2

February 2022

Dear Friends:

The winter season can be particularly challenging for family caregivers as it requires increased vigilance and attention when fulfilling caregiver responsibilities. Fortunately, getting informed about the dangers of wintertime can help mitigate the risks of injury or worse, and is just a click away. To get you started, you can learn about the dangers and symptoms of hypothermia and frostbite from the CDC; the Mayo Clinic has published a helpful article on fall prevention, and the National Safety Council gives tips and advice for safe winter driving.

Sincerely,

Calvin Hu

Education Coordinator

edprograms@caregiver.org

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

“If you fell down yesterday, stand up today.”

— H.G. Wells

WHAT’S NEW AT FCA

FCA Website Overview in Different Languages

FCA is committed to serving family caregivers of all backgrounds and experiences. For caregivers who have difficulty with English, or are more comfortable in another language, FCA has provided a short overview video of our resource rich website in Tagalog, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Spanish.

Interview With FCA's Kathy Kelly on new UC Davis Caregiver Study

"Picking up the pace of change: scaling services for a changing caregiver profile," is a new report from researchers at UC Davis. This study focuses on evaluating the services and support that the California Caregiver Resource Centers - CRCs (FCA is the San Francisco Bay Area CRC), have been providing to caregivers in California. With the release of the report, Kathy Kelly shares her unique insights as the Executive Director of FCA in a new video.

Technologies for Aging in Place: Seminar Series

Wondering which products and services can help an older adult live independently, with autonomy, for as long as possible? Sign up for this seminar series to learn the answers. Together with a community of older adults called the Longevity Explorers, Tech-enhanced Life has spent the last 8 years exploring the intersection of aging and technology and have evaluated a wide range of products and services designed to help people live independently for as long as possible. In this seminar series, we synthesize what we have learned. In semester one we will cover the following topics.

Tools and Tech for Aging in Place: Overview.
The Right Tools to Minimize Isolation & Loneliness.
Which Medical Alert? And Who Needs One?
Smart Home Features for a Better / Safer Life.
Technology to Help Avoid Medication Adherence Problems.

FCA Connections readers get 10% discount by using Promo Code: FCA

Learn more and signup click here.

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.

INFORMATION YOU CAN USE

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.

Residential Care Options: Five Tip Sheets

Caregivers can reach a time where the person for whom they provide care can no longer live at home safely. The importance most people place on home and community make the decision of moving a loved one or family member to residential care both difficult and stressful.

To help you when faced with this choice, FCA has five tip sheets on residential care. These include information and advice on the right time to move a relative, what the options are, how to choose a residential care facility, how your caregiving will change (but not end), and information on visiting a relative in.

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). The CRCs are hosting a calendar of classes, workshops, and events open to family caregivers across the country.

For more information on March events, please click here.

ARTICLES FOR CAREGIVERS

Who Takes Over When a Caregiver Dies?

If a caregiver should die before their caregiving responsibilities end, years or perhaps decades of expertise on how to provide care for a specific individual or set of individuals and conditions is often lost when a new person takes on the role of a primary caregiver. Melanie Kalmar, writing for Seniors Matter, outlines some considerations that family caregivers should plan for in case they die.

Caregiver Support Service Programs: Are They Worth It?

Many companies are recognizing that employees who are family caregivers have important and very difficult responsibilities outside of the workplace. Some employers offer caregiver assistance programs, but these may not always be free. U.S. News & World Report contributor Anthony Cirillo offers insight on how to determine if these services are worth the price.

FCA provides a number of caregiver services at no charge, including CareNav, a secure online solution for tailored information, support, and resources.

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.

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.

March 1

What Wonders of the World?

“Wonders” are the world's most spectacular natural features and human-built structures - and are even intangible, underwater, and in the solar system! Let’s explore snapshots of the most, and least, iconic Wonders known to man!

March 8

Women Artists in History

Celebrate and discover women artists throughout history in honor of Women’s History Month.

March 15

St. Patrick’s day Irish Music Celebration with Katrina

Come join us for another year in celebrating St. Patrick’s Day together with a bit of history, storytelling, and of course live fiddle tunes! Remember to wear your green!

When: Tuesdays, January 25 to March 15, from 1 to 2 p.m. (PT)

Where: Online

Cost: No charge

Registration: Click here

CAREGIVING POLICY NOTES

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.

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!

You can also help support FCA by choosing us as your Amazon Smile charity.