Vol. 13, No. 11

November 2022

Dear Friends:

November is National Family Caregivers Month. It is a time to celebrate, and recognize the incredible efforts and sacrifices made by people across the country providing care to family members, partners, relatives, friends, and neighbors. As part of the celebration this year, FCA is recognizing a special theme: “Supporting a Diversity of Family Caregivers!” In addition to our many fact sheets, webinars, and videos in English, FCA has a growing library of materials for caregivers of diverse backgrounds, communities, and identities. Our website is now more accessible for Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, and Vietnamese speaking family caregivers with newly translated fact sheets in Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. FCA's most popular resources are also available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. For LGBTQ+ caregivers, FCA has created special fact sheets on LGBTQ+ Caregiving: Frequently Asked Questions, Special Concerns of LGBTQ+ Caregivers, and Legal Issues for LGBTQ+ Caregivers.

Sincerely,

Calvin Hu

Education Coordinator

edprograms@caregiver.org

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”

— Nelson Mandela

National Family Caregivers Month Special Event: Gentle Chair Yoga with Yoga4Caregivers (online session)

Studies have shown that yoga can have a positive impact on your health and well-being and is especially beneficial to family caregivers. For example, caregivers who engage in a regular practice may benefit from reduced feelings of stress and anxiety, decreased symptoms of depression, and improved sleep. For many, yoga may seem like an intimidating pursuit because of injuries, balance issues, or unfamiliarity. But in fact, yoga is accessible to everyone regardless of age, and physical ability. A chair is used as prop to help you to access your expression of the pose and support your body. Chair yoga can help you safely and comfortably reap the benefits of yoga and improve your overall health and well-being.

Presented by Ellen MacKay, co-Director of Yoga4Caregivers and an experienced, trauma-informed yoga teacher, trained social worker and former family caregiver.

When: Tuesday, November 29, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (PT)

Where: Online

Cost: No charge

Registration: Click here

This event is funded in part 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.

This special event is sponsored by Aetna.

Sponsorship of this event does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by FCA.

Give the Gift of Respite to Caregivers

Respite care provides short-term relief to family caregivers and is an effective tool with many benefits. Unfortunately not all caregivers have the financial means to take advantage of respite.

That’s why this year, FCA is asking our friends and supporters to make a donation that will allow us to give more caregivers respite grants. These grants allow family caregivers to hire caregiving help while they take a breather and re-energize.

Please click here to make your tax-deductible donation.

FCA 2022 Impact Report

FCA’s 2022 Impact Report highlights the ways we have improved the lives of family caregivers over the past year—from providing direct services and support to advancing research, policy and community-based projects to improve caregiver well-being. Highlights of the report include: more than 3,000 family caregivers in the San Francisco Bay Area provided with direct services such as counseling, personalized care plans, support groups, and referrals to community services; expanded virtual classes, workshops, and webinars; newly developed caregiving resources and newly translated materials in multiple languages; and a focus on outreach to family caregivers from diverse cultures and communities.

+Vascular Dementia

Vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia that affects adults. It can occur when blood flow is reduced or stopped to the brain. FCA’s vascular dementia fact sheet includes information on risk factors, symptoms, and vascular dementia caregiving strategies.

+FCA Fact Sheet: Mild Cognitive Impairment 

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a condition that falls between normal age-related memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease or a similar impairment. A person with MCI may experience memory problems, and difficulties with judgment, thinking and language. To read more about MCI, please click here.

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 December events, please click here.

The Ins and Outs of Paid Family Leave and Related Rights for Family Caregivers

November is National Family Caregivers month, but we all know caregivers work year-round to provide care and support for their loved ones. It can be tricky to navigate how to take paid leave from work while caring for a family member. It often involves multiple steps and can be difficult to find comprehensive answers. This webinar from Legal Aid at Work will walk through how to apply for Paid Family Leave and how to protect your job while taking leave to care for your loved ones, including tips on how to speak to your employer.

Presented by Sharon Terman, Director of the Work and Family Program and Senior Staff Attorney at Legal Aid at Work and Sela Steiger, staff attorney in the Work and Family Program and Legal Aid at Work

When: Wednesday, November 30, from 11 a.m. to 12 noon (PT)

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 and County of San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging Services, San Mateo County Aging and Adult Services, Sourcewise, the California Department of Aging, and the AARP Foundation.

Caregiving When You’re an Only Child

Being an only child and a caregiver can be a very different journey to being a caregiver with siblings. This situation has both potential advantages (no sibling disagreements) and drawbacks (isolation and financial burdens). Next Avenue’s Gary M. Stern provides advice for only child cargivers.

How to Check Senior Caregiver References and What Questions to Ask

If finances permit, hiring a paid helper can be useful in lessening the workload for a family caregiver. However, most caregivers looking to hire a paid helper want to make sure at a minimum this person has the needed skills, knowledge, and is also trustworthy. Danielle Page, writing for care.com, explains what family caregivers should keep in mind when vetting paid caregivers.

CAREGIVERS CONNECT:

FCAAREA 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. 

November 29

Through the Impressionists’ Eyes 

Let’s explore the world around Impressionist painters, as it relates to their unique art style. 

December 6

Let’s go to Santa Barbara! 

Join FCA on a local getaway to a favorite coastal California destination.  

December 13

Let’s Visit Canada

Travel with us for a look at our neighbors to the north!

December 20

Let’s explore tropical islands

Join FCA as we escape winter to some rather unusual islands!

When: Tuesdays, October 25 to December 20, 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, Sourcewise, and the California Department of Aging.

+Caregiving 101

Caregiving 101 gives a general overview of what it means to be a caregiver and how caregiving impacts ones overall health and wellbeing. This specific class offers general information on respite, caregiver stress, ways to find help, and a few more topics related to caregiving.

When: December 14, from 1 to 2 p (PT)

Where: Online

Cost: No charge

Registration: Click here

Registration is open to family caregivers in the San Francisco Bay Area.

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.

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

• Care2Sleep Education Program
• LGBTQIA+ & non-LGBTQIA+ Caregivers Needed: Parkinson’s Research
• Life Enhancing Activities for Family Caregivers (LEAF) (SP0044459; NCT03610698)

Graduate Student Research Listings

• Communication in the Family
• Seeking volunteers for a study examining the daily stress and well-being of caregivers
• The impact of illness perceptions on veteran caregivers