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Vol. 16, No. 1
January 2025
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Dear Friends:
The ongoing wildfires in Southern California have devastated communities and taken countless lives. Many victims have been older adults who may have been unable to evacuate from the fires, unwilling to do so, or were uninformed of the path and speed of the fires.
As a caregiver (remote included), planning and prompt action during a disaster can be critically important. Are you set up to receive emergency alerts and are you comfortable using the technology needed (call, email, text)? What about the person you are caring for if they live apart from you? Are you able to evacuate the person you are caring for if mandated by local officials? Consulting with emergency services like fire fighters, police, or sheriffs, can help you with evacuation planning. And these same organizations will offer assistance with evacuation during disasters if needed. But disaster response times will likely be slow due to extreme demand for service. If you have not started your disaster planning, FCA's Emergency Preparedness Checklist for Caregivers can get you started.
Sincerely,
Calvin Hu
Education Coordinator
edprograms@caregiver.org
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“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”
— Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Smart Caregiving by FCA: Legal Stuff
It’s essential to address key legal and financial matters, and ensure important documents are in place while individuals can still participate in decision-making. This resource gives information on common caregiver legal concerns including: how to talk about planning ahead, estate planning in advance (even when assets are modest), the financial toll and how to prepare and protect yourself, and assembling legal documents.
“Smart Caregiving by FCA” is a monthly series that answers common questions asked by family caregivers. Each piece features a real-life caregiver question, practical guidance from our family support team, and helpful links to resources and support.
For a full list of topics, please click here.
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Do you Need to Take Time off From Work Because of Care Responsibilities for a Seriously ill Family Member (California Paid Family Leave Update)
Starting January 1, 2025, if you need time off from work to care for a parent, child, spouse, registered domestic partner, grandparent, grandchild, parent-in-law or sibling, you can receive up to 90% of your regular income while you are unable to work. This is because starting in 2025, California’s Paid Family Leave (PFL) and Disability Insurance (DI) Benefits will increase to 90% of regular wages for low to middle income workers (up from 60-70%). You can click here to learn more about this change and how to apply.
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Dementia-friendly Movie Experience in the San Francisco Bay Area: Hairspray
Join FCA and community partners for this dementia-friendly film screening. While the event is not exclusively for people with dementia, it is especially well-suited for individuals affected by dementia and must be accompanied by either their partners, family members, or professional caregivers. Everyone is welcome; however, please be aware that some attendees may talk or sing during the film, move around, or leave the cinema. Sound and light adjusted.
Admission is FREE and one small popcorn per person will be provided. Drinks and
other snacks are available for purchase.
When: Tuesday, March 18, starting at 1:30 p.m.
Where: Fox Theatre, 2215 Broadway, Redwood City CA
For more information and to RSVP: (650) 780-5705 or MicheleEpstein@ossmc.org
This special event is presented by FCA, San Mateo County Aging & Adult Services, the Alzheimer’s Association, Ombudsman Services of San Mateo County, Inc., and The Fox Theater.
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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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FCA Website Available in Multiple Languages
Did you know that FCA's website (caregiver.org) supports multiple languages including Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. Simply click or tap on your preferred language to be taken to a page introducing FCA services, and including a list of all FCA resources in that language.
FCA seeks to support all family caregivers, including those who are most comfortable with a non- English language.
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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 February events, please click here.
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Helping Grandchildren Understand Dementia and Alzheimer's
Being a caregiver to a parent living with dementia or Alzheimer's can be extremely trying for an adult child. It is no surprise that the changes brought on by these illnesses can be frightening, upsetting, or confusing to grandchildren. Next Avenue’s Michele C. Hollow writes about how to talk to grandchildren about these illnesses, and how to continue to have quality time for grandparents and grandchildren.
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How Family Caregiving Can Alter Dreams and Goals Deferred
After caregiving ends, and grief subsides, many caregivers expect that they will be able to return to their old life. They will rejoin the workforce if they had left it, reconnect with friends, and pursue hobbies and activities they previously enjoyed with their newfound free time. But for some caregivers, they find they have changed. Old routines, activities, and goals may no longer seem comfortable, interesting, or important. AARP caregiving expert Barry J. Jacobs provides guidance to those caregivers unsure on how to readjust to life after caregiving.
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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.
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January 14
Let’s Discover the Fascinating World of Hummingbirds and Butterflies!
January 21
Let’s Travel to England's Golden Age and the Reign of Elizabeth 1 !
January 28
Let’s Delight in the Wonders of Shakespeare! Music Included!
February 4
Let’s Learn All About Drones!
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February 11
Let’s Discover the Many Angles of World Famous Love Stories!
February 18
Let’s Travel to Egypt for the Opening of the Tomb of King Tutankhaman!
February 25
Encore - Let's Travel Back to Brazil!
March 4
Let's Travel Off the Beaten Path to Explore More Often Overlooked Countries/Locations!
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When: Tuesdays, January 14 to March 4, 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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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
Vice President: Karen Sperling
Treasurer: Keely Stevenson
Secretary: Amanda Breeden Warner
Athan Bezaitis, Amber Christ, Deborah Kan, Shruti Kothari, Mary Ellen Kullman, Scott Peifer, Tiffany Riser, Wyatt Ritchie, Marda Stothers, Celine Takatsuno.
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235 Montgomery Street | Suite 930 | San Francisco, CA 94104
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