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Vol. 15, No. 8
August 2024
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Dear Friends:
Being a caregiver can take a big toll on your emotional, physical, and financial well-being. Because of this, many family caregivers already appreciate the importance of self-care. But knowing that self-care is a must is not the same as being able to regularly practice self-care. After all, there are only so many hours a day, so many days a week, and so many dollars in the bank account. Unfortunately this means that activities you may have enjoyed in the past, or were looking forward to, may now feel out of reach. While not a substitute, there are self-care practices that are free and simple enough to fit into the spaces between daily activities to help you de-stress, recenter, and relax.
FCA's Caregiver Relaxation Exercises Series provides seven activities that can each be performed in minutes. You can practice one or more exercises on the subway, waiting in line at the pharmacy, or during the time it takes the person you are caring for to use the bathroom if you help them with toileting. We hope these simple exercises can help you decompress and support your other self-care practices.
The Caregiver Relaxation Exercises Series is also available in Cantonese, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
Sincerely,
Calvin Hu
Education Coordinator
edprograms@caregiver.org
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“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
— Mark Twain
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New Monthly Series: Smart Caregiving by FCA
Smart Caregiving by FCA answers common questions that caregivers across the country struggle with on a daily basis. Each topic will feature a question taken from real life, provide practical guidance from FCA's caregiving specialists, and include helpful links to resources and support.
The first topic of this series provides guidance to caregivers wanting to move an out of state parent into their home: "My mom lives in another state and I want to move her in with me. What do I need to know?" Caregivers will learn how to prepare for services needed, get information on changes in Medicaid coverage, and brush up on the importance of self care.
Visit FCA every month for a new Smart Caregiving topic. Future questions will include planning for care, issues concerning insurance and finances, and our best advice for working successfully with people with dementia.
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Application Period Open for the Innovations in Alzheimer’s Caregiving Awards, Now in its 17th Year
The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation, Bader Philanthropies, Inc., and FCA recognize three organizations that are delivering dynamic programs addressing the needs of family and friend caregivers and those they care for living with Alzheimer’s disease or a related condition. Learn more about the awards, read the awards FAQs and find details about awardees from previous years.
Click here to apply.
The application window will be open from August 28 through October 9, 2024
(please note, the application period will not be extended beyond this date).
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Caregivers Count! 14th Annual Conference
Designed for families and friends caring for ill, frail, or older adults, Caregivers Count is an inspiring, engaging and resource-rich online conference featuring expert speakers covering a wide range of topics including: Safe & Sound, Creating A Safe Home for Your Loved One; End-of-Life Support for Family Caregivers; Navigating Trauma in Caregiving; and From Stress to Serenity: Self Care & Resiliency.
When: Saturdays, September 14, 21, 28, and October 5, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Registration: click here
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Take our Survey and Improve Support for Caregivers Like You
By giving a microphone to family caregivers, we’re hoping to raise awareness about their experiences and help turn that awareness into stronger recognition and support for them. You can help us by completing this survey for family caregivers.
This 1-page survey is designed to identify family caregivers who are open to talking with reporters and others about their caregiving stories and experiences. We believe that by sharing their stories, caregivers can help our community members and leaders understand the challenges, rewards and complexities of caregiving. FCA may use these stories to highlight and advance the caregiver cause in our educational programming, advocacy and policy initiatives, and collaborations with other organizations and agencies in formats such as:
- letters to elected officials
- on our website and in promotional materials
- in training videos and other materials
- on our social media channels
- in presentations to government agencies
FCA never sells your contact information — our only goal is to elevate caregiver voices to improve channels of support. Thank you for your help!
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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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Self-Care for Young Adult Caregivers (webinar recording)
More younger adults (18-39) are taking on caregiving responsibilities. While resources and support exist for caregivers in general, for many young adult caregivers, these existing resources do not address the unique challenges they face. This webinar recording includes information on discovering your caregiving purpose, embracing your unique caregiver identity, the benefits of creating self-care habits that fit your lifestyle.
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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 August events, please click here.
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Chasing Satisfaction, Not Happiness, May Be a Healthier Goal for Family Caregivers
Caregiving responsibilities can be crushing for many of those who provide assistance and support to another. Despite this, many family caregivers strive for a life of happiness. Lee Woodruff, writing for AARP, presents Therapist Jennifer Guttman's advice that satisfaction, not happiness might be what caregivers should strive for as being satisfied is more sustainable and more realistic than aspirations of being happy.
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3 Myths About Crowdfunding for Medical Care
Family caregivers on average spend thousands of dollars annually in supporting a parent, family member, sibling, or friend. On top of this, many family caregivers make too much to qualify for government aid, and too little to comfortably pay out of pocket. Crowdfunding has emerged as one solution for struggling family caregivers, but unfortunately in most cases these campaigns fail to meet their goals. Next Avenue's M.P. Dunleavey shares advice from an expert on the myths surrounding crowdfunding.
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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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September 10th
Let's Travel to the World's Most Amazing Waterfalls!
September 17th
Let's Travel to the Wonders of the Galapagos Islands!
September 24th
Let’s Discover How the World Celebrates the Equinox and Welcomes Autumn!
October 1st
Let’s Explore Photography from Then to Now!
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October 8th
Encore Presentation - Let’s Return to Beautiful Hawaii!
October 15th
Let’s Experience the Majesty of Glaciers!
October 22nd
Let’s Experience Flower Festivals and Botanical Gardens Around the World!
October 29th
Let's Explore the History of Astronomy and Legends of the Night Sky!
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When: Tuesdays, September 10 to October 29, 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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Powerful Tools for Caregivers
This free six-part class offers new skills and tools for family caregivers of those with a chronic health condition such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s, or stroke. At Powerful Tools, you will learn how to: reduce stress, make difficult caregiving decisions, communicate more effectively during challenging situations, and prevent caregiver burnout.
This class is open to family caregivers in the San Francisco Bay Area.
As each class builds upon previous classes, we require attendance at all six sessions.
When: Six consecutive Fridays, September 13, 20, 27, and October 4, 11, 18,
from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m (PT)
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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There Must Be a Better Way Than This!
This 2-hour class will help participants understand what dementia is, and the challenging behaviors that sometimes accompany the disease. We will review strategies to help handle these behaviors and help enhance your communication with the person who has dementia.
Registration is only open to non-professional caregivers (family members and friends) who live in the following counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara.
When: September 23, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon
Cost: No charge
Registration: Click here
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Caregiving 101
Caregiving 101 gives a general overview of what it means to be a caregiver, how caregiving impacts ones overall health and wellbeing. This specific workshop offers general information on respite, caregiver stress, ways to find help, and a few more topics related to caregiving.
When: Wednesday, September 25, from 10 to 11 a.m. (PT)
Cost: No charge
Registration: Click here
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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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