Connections newsletter

Vol. 16, No. 12

December 2025

Dear Friends:

The holiday season and wintertime snow and cold may have been the source of enjoyable childhood memories, but for many family caregivers, cold weather can complicate caregiving responsibilities. Black ice on roads and sidewalks may lead to crashes or falls during errands. Older adults may be less able to realize their bodies are too cold, leading to the potential for hypothermia or frostbite. Even the exertion of shoveling a family member’s driveway may lead to a heart attack. There are a number of useful resources for those looking to keep safe during the winter including those provided by the NIH, and the National Weather Service.

Despite the potential challenges that may come with wintertime weather, visiting relatives, and additional holiday tasks and traditions, we hope that you will be able to set aside time to take care of yourself, and find your own peace and contentment. On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff at FCA, I’d like to wish you all a happy holidays and new year.

Sincerely,

Calvin Hu

Education Coordinator

edprograms@caregiver.org

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”

— Aesop

FCA NEWS

Remembering Sima Schoen, a Longtime FCA Staff Member

We are deeply saddened to share the recent passing of Sima Schoen, a longtime and valued member of the FCA team.

For many years, Sima was dedicated to supporting unpaid family caregivers and advancing our mission with compassion and care. Her work helped ensure that caregivers felt seen, supported, and less alone during some of life’s most challenging moments.

Sima will be remembered for her generosity of spirit, fierce independence, colorful personality, and unwavering commitment to the people we serve. Her impact lives on through the caregivers, families, and colleagues whose lives she touched.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Sima’s family, loved ones, and all who are mourning this loss.

LGBTQ+ Advance Directives and Long-Term Care Facility Resources

FCA seeks to support and advocate for family caregivers of all communities. LGBTQ+ caregivers can face unique challenges that may add additional complications, hurdles, and frustrations on top of their caregiving load. Ames Simmons, Senior Lecturing Fellow at Duke Law, has compiled a special list of resources for LGBTQ+ caregivers which FCA is pleased to share here. These resources focus on Advance Care Planning and Finding a LGBTQ+ Friendly Long Term Care Facility.

Medi-Cal: The Return of the Asset Limit

Below is an an update from our partners at California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR).

After a brief period of expanded access, California plans to reinstate the asset limit for Medi-Cal, once again placing financial eligibility restrictions on older adults seeking healthcare through the state’s Medicaid program. This policy change, effective January 1, 2026, marks a significant reversal from the recent efforts to eliminate barriers for older adults and people with disabilities. Many Medi-Cal beneficiaries want to know how to keep their benefits and services, especially given that the return of the asset limit is fast approaching. This article aims to provide some clarification based on recently released guidance from the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), which provides oversight to California’s Medi-Cal program.

Please click here to view the full post.

Improving Practice: New Training to Support Diverse Family Caregivers

Family caregivers are essential partners in care, yet their needs often go unrecognized — especially when cultural, linguistic, and social differences shape their caregiving experience. Health care workers and social workers are on the front lines of supporting these caregivers, and having the right skills and awareness can make all the difference.

To meet this need, FCA is proud to present the course “Improving Practice: Working with Diverse Family Caregivers.” This online training helps professionals deepen their understanding of diverse caregiving realities and adopt practical strategies to better support all families.

This four-hour, self-paced course is designed for all professionals who work with family caregivers, with special relevance for social workers. It is available in two versions: Free Version-- Open to all professionals at no cost & NASW-Approved CEU Version for 4 continuing education contact hours (nominal administrative fee).

This training is funded by CalGrows, an initiative of the California Department of Aging, dedicated to strengthening the caregiving workforce and improving services for all families.

INFORMATION YOU CAN USE

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.

Smart Caregiving by FCA: Holiday Caregiving

For many family caregivers, the holidays can bring additional stress and challenges related to family gatherings and social engagements. FCA has recently published a new Smart Caregiving resource to help caregivers better manage this hectic time. Suggested guidance incudes asking for what you need, re-setting expectations, and adapting holiday activities.

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.

Hiring In-Home Help

Having someone else take on some of your housekeeping or personal care tasks might sound appealing. But there are some important questions that should be considered. Can you afford it? Where do you begin to find someone? What if the person you are caring for doesn't want a stranger in the house? This detailed FCA resource will help guide you through the process of hiring help at home.

FCA Offers 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.

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.

ARTICLES FOR CAREGIVERS

How to Stay Safe in Extreme Cold

AARP published an article earlier this year on the potentially serious health effects of cold weather. Writer Christina Ianzito explains why cold weather can be particularly dangerous for older adults, and also provides 14 ways to protect yourself in frigid temperatures.

Supporting the health of older adults

Many older Americans are struggling to make ends meet, perhaps having to chose between rent, heat, medicine, and food. Organizations like Kaiser Permanente Northern California are stepping in to fill the gaps in the social safety net, providing grants to food banks like Second Harvest of the Greater Valley. Another area of support is helping older Californians age at home, and supporting family caregivers that help make this possible. FCA has also received a Kaiser Permanente grant will help assist caregivers via respite care, support groups, care planning, and assistance in connecting with community services.

CAREGIVERS CONNECT:

FCA 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.

January 6th – Let’s Bring in the New Year with New Astronomical Discoveries!

January 13th – Encore! – Let’s Discover More Unusual Islands!

January 20th – Let’s Investigate the History of Maps!

January 27th – Let’s Share Our Toys and Learn More About Them!

February 3rd – Let’s Delve into the World of Ham Radio!

February 10th – Let’s Explore the Fascinating Life of Some Rather Unusual Plants!

February 17th – Let’s Enter the World of the Milliner and Discover the Amazing World of Hats!

February 24th – Encore! – Let’s Venture into More Caves!

When: Tuesdays, January 6 - February 24 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (Pacific)

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.

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.

Click here to view archived issues of Policy Digest.

RESEARCH LISTINGS

Professional Research Listings

Graduate Student Research Listings

AND ...

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!