Vol. 13, No. 1

January 2022

Dear Friends:

This month we usher in a new year, with hopes for continued progress for what is working, and a fresh start for anything that isn’t. Last year was another difficult one for family caregivers and everyone at FCA has been working hard to support and advocate for caregivers during these unusually trying times.

Residents of the San Francisco Bay Area are encouraged to take advantage of the no charge services FCA’s Bay Area Caregiver Resource Center offers like individual consultations, caregiver action plans, and multipart classes. FCA also offers many free classes and webinars that are open to caregivers across the country, and include a new session of our armchair travel series, Let’s Get Away Together, a Caregiving 101 online class, and our webinar on what to eat to promote brain heath.

Sincerely,

Calvin Hu

Education Coordinator

[email protected]

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”

— Chinese Proverb

Short Video About FCA’s CareNav

This new video by FCA gives a quick overview of CareNav, a free online resource that helps family caregivers navigate the complexities of the caregiving journey. CareNav is tailored to each caregiver’s unique situation and needs, and is private, secure and easy to use. To learn more please click here.

Are you Interested in Sharing Your Caregiving Experience as Part of a new FCA Video Series? 

FCA is seeking individuals like you - family caregivers - to share your knowledge, insights and a story or two about what is involved when caring for someone living with a neurodegenerative disease. Your experience is likely to be truly helpful to someone else, including others who may feel isolated or have little support. We are looking to connect with caregivers who are: 

• caring for someone living with ALS, Huntington’s disease, MS, or Parkinson’s disease,
• open to being interviewed, video recorded, and possibly photographed, and
• living in the San Francisco Bay Area.

We expect video recordings to take between 1-2 hours and can take place either at your home or another location. Please don’t be shy. We will make the interview easy and enjoyable. Participants will be offered a gift card for their time.

For more information: Contact Annie Roche by email at [email protected] or leave your name and phone number at 415-434-3388 x317.

Support for this video series is provided by the Adira Foundation.

FCA is Hiring

We’re looking for qualified and interested applicants to fill openings in our San Francisco office. The positions are Policy Specialist and Resource Specialist. FCA is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and is committed to creating a diverse environment. Please click here for more information or to apply.

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.

Eating Well to Promote Brain Health: The MIND Diet



In the United States alone, it is estimated that more than 6 million Americans are living with dementia. This special webinar presented by public health nutritionist Jocelyn Dubin will explain the tools you need to feed your brain and reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s and other dementia.

Objectives:

-Learn the best foods for brain health and wellness.

-Discover how to combine foods to reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

-Learn easy shortcuts to get brain healthy foods on your plate without having to put in too much work.

Presented by Jocelyn Dubin, MS, RD

Jocelyn Dubin has a Master’s Degree in Nutrition Science and has been a registered dietitian for 18 years. She is a public health nutritionist in the County of Santa

Clara’s Public Health Department Healthy Communities Branch. Jocelyn aspires to teach people to use food as medicine to promote health and well-being.

When: Wednesday, January 26, from 11 a.m. to 12 noon (Pacific Time)

Where: ONLINE

Cost: No Charge

Registration: Click here

It’s Costly to Care for Aging Relatives. Here’s how to get a tax Break This Season

Being a family caregiver can be an expensive undertaking. One possible way to help with caregiving costs are tax deductions, however not all caregivers are eligible. Kate Dore, writing for CNBC, gives information on the deductions that may benefit caregivers.

Geriatric Emergency Rooms: Better Care, Better Value and Becoming More Common

Emergency rooms specialize in treating critically ill or injured patients. While emergency rooms have refined procedures and techniques over many decades, until recently, the unique needs of older patients has not been systematically taken into account. Next Avenue’s Nora Macaluso explains why geriatric emergency rooms should be the first option for older adults needing critical care.

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. 

January 25 

Encore to South Africa! 

Let’s revisit South Africa and spend time with the incredible animals and biodiversity being conserved in this beautiful country. 

February 1 

For The Love! 

Join Alicia to learn about a few of our legendary love stories… you may be surprised to discover the truth versus the legend! 

February 8 

Favorite Songs from Rodgers and Hammerstein Musicals 

Join Katrina in learning and reminiscing about a few favorite Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals - you might hear bits from Oklahoma or South Pacific, with live renditions sung by Katrina! 

February 15 

Love in Art 

Let’s take a look at global artists and their dramatic art through the ages that celebrates and exemplifies love, relationships, and companionship. 

 February 22 

Come Along and Stay with us! - exploring unusual hotels around the world! 

Join us as we visit some of the most unique hotels around the world. 

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 

¡Tiene que existir una mejor manera que esta!

En esta clase de FCA aprenderá los siguientes consejos y estrategias sobre cómo: manejar comportamientos difíciles, como la demencia afecta el proceso y la capacidad de una persona para comprender y comunicarse, sentirse más seguro en su papel como cuidador.

Esta clase es especificamente para cuidadores familiares y no para proveedores profesionales.

Dia/Hora: febrero 4 del 2022, 2 p.m. a 4 p.m. (Hora del Pacífico)

Costo: Gratis

Para registrarse: (Únase desde una PC, iPad, iPhone o dispositivo Android): haga clic aquí

Para obtener más información o ayuda: Stella Lazo, [email protected], (415) 434-3388, ext. 323

Caregiving 101

The goal of this class is to identify what a caregiver is, the importance of being identified as a caregiver, and to provide the participant with an understanding of the impact they potentially leave on the care of their loved ones and themselves. Registration is open to family caregivers.

When: Monday, February 14, from 1 to 2 p.m. (PT)

Where: Online (Zoom)

Cost: No charge

Registration: Click here

Registration is open to family caregivers.

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.

Professional Research Listings

• Aging with Pride: IDEA (Innovations in Dementia Empowerment and Action)
• Care2Sleep Education Program
• Experiences of Family Caregivers of Persons with Various Medical Conditions
• Families Coping Together with Alzheimer’s Disease Study (FACT-AD)
• Life Enhancing Activities for Family Caregivers (LEAF) (SP0044459; NCT03610698)
• The Taking Care of Us (TCU) Program (NCT04737759)
• Wanted for Online Survey: Caregivers of Loved Ones who are Adults

Graduate Student Research Listings

• ACHIEVE Study
• Brief Survey on Dementia Family Caregiver Experiences
• Caregiver Burden and Quality of Life of People with Dementia
• Caregivers: Join a Fitness Research Study
• COVID-19 Policy Impact on Family Members of Adult Care Facility Residents
• Evaluating a Text-Messaging Intervention to Improve Caregiver Wellbeing
• Exploring End of Life Experiences in Diverse Communities
• La Voz del Cuidador
• Supporting Filipino Family Caregivers
• The Caregiver’s Voice Study