Vol. 13, No. 6

June 2022

Dear Friends:

June is Pride Month, a celebration of the LGBTQ communities. FCA is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all family caregivers in need of support. We also recognize and celebrate the diversity of family, and those caregivers who are bonded by families of choice. For LGBTQ caregivers, or those caring for an LGBTQ adult, FCA has a number of helpful resources. Some recommended fact sheets are Special Concerns of LGBT Caregivers, Legal Issues for LGBT Caregivers, and

LGBT Caregiving: Frequently Asked Questions. FCA also has short articles on how to tell if an organization is open to working with LGBTQ families, and what to do if a loved one is being mistreated in a nursing home.

Sincerely,

Calvin Hu

Education Coordinator

edprograms@caregiver.org

“Each day provides its own gifts.”

— Marcus Aurelius

Caregiver Conversations: A Day of Learning, Support, and Information Exchange

Join us in San Francisco on August 18!

This convening is for family and friends caregiving in San Francisco or nearby for an adult living with a complex illness (Alzheimer’s and other dementias, frailty, Parkinson’s, stroke, ALS, Multiple Sclerosis, and like conditions), and for professionals who provide services to these caregivers and care receivers.  

8:30 a.m. — Light Breakfast and Registration

9 a.m. — Program begins

• Nondenominational Blessing: ‘We Are One’ (a coalition of religious leaders from Japantown and the Western Addition)
• Welcome: San Francisco District 1 Supervisor Connie Chan
• A Brief Look at Caregiving in San Francisco: Kathleen A. Kelly, FCA Executive Director
• Keynote Panel of Local Experts: Dr. Anna Chodos, Geriatrician, UCSF/ZSFG; Dr. Wagahta Semere, Primary Care, UCSF/ZSFG; Kelly Dearman, Executive Director, SF Disability & Aging Services (DAS); Emily Chum, Director of Social Services, Self-Help for the Elderly (SHE)
• A Caregiver Panel of SF residents
• Lunch
• Interactive Topic Discussion with Fellow Caregivers
• Wellness Activity, and Treats to Send Home With You

2:30 p.m. — Program Ends

Deadline for registration is August 15

Respite: A limited number of in-home respite grants are available for those who need someone to be with the person you care for so that you can attend this event. The grants are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact FCA at (415) 434-3388 ext.331 by August 1 for details. Ask for the “Caregiver Conversation event respite” when you call.

Covid guidelines: Please attend vaccinated and well. Mask wearing is welcomed. Free masks will be available on-site if you forget yours. If you feel sick please stay home and instead watch the day using the simulcast link (included in your registration confirmation). We follow the SF Public Health Department Guidelines.

PARTNERING ORGANIZATIONS: Alzheimer’s Association, Institute on Aging (IOA), Jewish Family and Children’s Services (JFCS), Kimochi, Inc., Openhouse, San Francisco Jewish Home & Rehab Center, San Francisco Disability and Aging Services (DAS), Self Help for the Elderly (SHE), SteppingStone, UCSF Memory & Aging Center/Global Brain Institute.

When: Thursday, August 18, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (PT)

Where: Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption, 1111 Gough Street, San Francisco 94109

Cost: No charge

Registration: Click here

Take Charge! Advance Care Planning Tips Webinar Recording

Get the health care you want based on what matters most. This webinar discusses how to talk about your wishes for care with the important people in your life, and covers how to choose someone to make health care decisions for you if you are unable to do so. The webinar also discusses Advance Heath Care Directives and the Physician Order for Life Sustaining Treatment.

Presented by Mary Matthiesen, the Chief Strategy and Integration Officer with Mission Hospice & Home Care.

To view a recording of this webinar please click here.

Hot Weather Tips

Normal physiological changes that occur later in life, medications, or a cognitive impairment can inhibit an older person’s ability to tell if they are suffering from unhealthy temperatures. Because of this, caregivers of older adults face additional challenges during warmer months. Read FCA’s tips on how to keep a loved one cool, and how to spot the warning signs of a heat related problem.

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.

KNOW Stroke — how acting FAST can save your life



In the US, every 3.5 seconds, someone dies of a stroke. What can be done to minimize that risk? This webinar will include facts about stroke prevention, who is especially at risk, how to recognize a stroke and act FAST, and the treatment options available including thrombolytic therapy, endovascular therapy and rehabilitative care.

Presenter:

Irina Rebello has been a Neuroscience Program Manager at Mercy San Juan Medical Center, a Comprehensive Stroke Program, since 2015 and is a volunteer for the American Stroke Association. She has been a registered nurse for over 22 years and holds a Masters of Science in Nursing Leadership. She is passionate about providing access to stroke care and is a frequent speaker and facilitator of community events.

When: Thursday, June 30, from 11 a.m. to 12 noon (Pacific time)

Where: ONLINE

Cost: No charge

Registration: Click here

This webinar 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, and the California Department of Health Care Services

What New Family Caregivers Really Need to Know

It is often said that no two caregiving journeys are alike. At the same time, many caregivers find themselves up against similar challenges. For those just beginning their journey, AARP expert and former caregiver Barry Jacobs gives important advice on what helps, and hurts caregivers with special emphasis on the importance of keeping connected with family and friends. 

Six Tips to Prevent the Risk of Injuring Your Body As You Age

As adults age, the risk of injury increases. For family caregivers, this chance may be elevated due to the wear and tear from caregiving tasks like transferring, bathing, and lifting extra groceries. To help minimize the probability of injury, Sheryl Stillman, writing for Next Avenue, gives tips for avoiding injury.

CAREGIVERS CONNECT:

FCA EVENTS

There Must Be A Better Way Than This!

This class offers tips for understanding and communicating with someone affected by dementia. Losing the ability to communicate can be one of the most frustrating and difficult challenges for people with dementia. As caregivers, we’re often at a loss as to how to talk with and respond to a loved one affected by dementia. There Must Be A Better Way Than This! explains how dementia affects a person’s ability to understand and communicate, teaches skills to handle troubling behavior, and helps caregivers feel more confident in their caregiving role.

There Must Be A Better Way Than This! is open to family caregivers. Unfortunately we cannot accommodate providers.

When: Wednesday, July 13, from 1 to 3 p.m (PT)

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, and the California Department of Health Care Services.

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. 

July 19

Let’s Go to Ireland! 

Join Katrina to learn more about one of her favorite places, including live traditional Irish music on violin!

July 26

Let’s Explore, Opposites in Art 

Join Alicia and use the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s collection to discover and discuss sets of art pieces that represent “opposites”.

August 2

Let’s go to Canyonlands and Arches National Parks! 

Join us to explore two of Utah’s most beautiful parks with Katrina.

August 9

What makes a painting become a “Must See” painting? 

Join Alicia to discover some of the paintings that have made this highly coveted list.

August 16

Let’s Explore New York! 

Join Katrina for unusual facts, and of course live music, about and from New York City!

August 23

Let’s Explore the Universe! 

The power of the Hubble Telescope has provided us with knowledge and imagery that cannot be matched. Join Alicia to view the majesty of the universe!

August 30

Let’s go to Yellowstone National Park! 

We’ll explore the geysers, wildlife, and breathtaking scenery together with Katrina!

September 6

Let’s Explore the Season of Fall!

Autumn has almost fallen! Join Alicia as we tour Autumn through art and photography.

When: Tuesdays, July 19 to September 6, from 1 to 2 p.m (PT)

Where: Online

Cost: No charge  

Registration: Click here 

This series 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, and the California Department of Health Care Services.

Headlines From the May Caregiving Policy Digest

• LinkedIn Offers Caregiving “Career Break” Profile Entry
• SNFs: Robots to the Rescue?
• Modifiable Risk Factors Fight Cognitive Decline

The entire May issue is available here.

Professional Research Listings

• Families Coping Together with Alzheimer's Disease Study (FACT-AD)
• Free Online Health and Wellness Education for Caregivers of People With Alzheimer’s
• Life Enhancing Activities for Family Caregivers (LEAF) (SP0044459; NCT03610698)
• Project Respect: LGBTQ+ Experiences with Healthcare Providers for Serious Illness
• We Need Your Help! Research Study Participants (Caregivers) who know Someone with a Disability Wanted for Interviews

Graduate Student Research Listings

• Seeking volunteers for a study examining the daily stress and well-being of caregivers
• The Relationship Between Caregiver Burden and Anxiety and Depression in People with Chronic Headaches
• The Relationship Between Uncertainty Associated with Patient’s Delirium and Psychological Distress Among Family Caregivers in the Intensive Care Unit
• UW Caregiver Study: Caring for a Parent who Harmed You

CONNECTIONS CREDITS



Editors: Calvin Hu, Al Martinez

Contributors: Kathleen Kelly, Executive Director; Calvin Hu; Lana Sheridan; Leah Eskenazi

235 Montgomery Street | Suite 930 | San Francisco, CA 94104

Phone: (800) 445-8106 | Email: info@caregiver.org