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Vol. 15, No. 12
December 2024
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Dear Friends:
The holiday season is in full swing, and soon we’ll be welcoming a new year. Many people like to take a moment at the close of the year to think about the progress they made in fulfilling their goals. Family caregivers often shoulder a heavy load, weighed down by their care responsibilities, and might feel like they are being held back. Long cherished life goals might seem further and further out of reach.
Unfortunately, there are no simple answers. But still, we hope that even if you find yourself with very difficult challenges, you are able to make steady progress in attaining your goals. And while making that consistent progress, you are able to enjoy life’s happy moments as they come.
On behalf of FCA’s Board of Directors, staff, and interns, we’d like to wish you all a peaceful holiday season and a happy new year.
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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2024 Winners of the Innovations in Alzheimer’s Caregiving Awards
In celebration of the 17th year of the Innovations in Alzheimer’s Caregiving Awards, The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation, Bader Philanthropies, Inc., and FCA are pleased to celebrate three organizations—each delivering a state-of-the-art program that addresses the needs of caregivers and those they care for living with Alzheimer’s disease or a related condition.
Each model program will receive $20,000 for their work in the following categories:
Creative Expression
Arts and Aging Programs – Jewish Family Services – Salt Lake City, Utah
Serving individuals and families from all denominations, Jewish Family Services Salt Lake’s Arts and Aging Programs aims to improve the quality of life for families uprooted due to an Alzheimer’s or dementia diagnosis. Jewish Family Services of Salt Lake has woven together a variety of programs that provide a dementia-welcoming arts and support environment for caregivers and those receiving their care.
Increasing Access and Reducing Stigma
EmpowermentPLUS Model: Youth Inspired Model Designed to End Dementia Stigma – Lorenzo’s House – Chicago, Illinois
Lorenzo’s House created the EmpowermentPLUS Model to actively engage and build capacity in young people thrust into a caregiving role early in life. Through Youth Clubs, Summits, and Adult Carer Clubs, individuals are educated about dementia and learn practical tools. They gain strategies and strength to manage dementia stigma at home and in their community and apply this skillset to train others using a train-the-trainer model.
Public Policy
CEJC Public Policy Advocacy – California Elder Justice Coalition – Los Angeles, California
The California Elder Justice Coalition (CEJC) works to improve the quality of life for older Californians including those living with dementia. Since 2010, CEJC has led efforts to reframe caregiving to be a core component of elder justice policy and practice. The Coalition has pioneered approaches to preserving autonomy of adults with dementia while reducing stresses and uncertainties that caregivers face in balancing their own needs with those for whom they care.
Click here to view detailed information on the winning programs.
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Innovations in Alzheimer’s Caregiving Awards Reception
The Innovations in Alzheimer’s Caregiving Awards Reception will be held at the American Society on Aging “On Aging Conference” in Orlando, Florida.
Join us in honoring the 2024 Innovations in Alzheimer’s Caregiving Award winners with program presentations, conversation, hors d’oeuvres, and beverages. All are welcome!
Date: Wednesday, April 23, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Location: Hyatt Regency Orlando- Orchid Room – 9801 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819
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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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Holding a Family Meeting
Caregivers are often advised to seek help to lessen the caregiving workload. For many individuals, the natural place to turn for such help is family. FCA’s Holding a Family Meeting fact sheet provides information on how to approach the subject, advice on creating an agenda, lists key points to consider discussing, and explains potential conflicts that may arise.
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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 January events, please click here.
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A Caregiver’s Guide to Building an Expert-Approved Home Medical Kit
Family caregivers provide regular care, but are also often thrust into the role of medical first responder if an emergency should arise. A home medical kit is an essential tool in the caregivers’ arsenal, especially for those caregivers who live far from a hospital or doctor’s office. AARP’s Laura Petrecca provides expert advice on what to include.
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Transitioning From Caregiving to Living
Being a family caregiver can be severely taxing financially, emotionally, and physically. But when caregiving responsibilities end, family caregivers may find it difficult to transition back to their former life. Next Avenue’s Myrna Marofsky draws on the expertise of medical professionals and former caregivers to give guidance on how to readjust to a life without 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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November 26
Let’s Embrace Dance Festivals Around the World!
December 3
Let’s Discover Unusual and Surprising Cameras & Their Unique Stories!
December 10
Let’s Travel to Portugal!
Discover culture, food, community, and special music components!
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December 17
Let’s Learn About and Explore Unusual Baby Animals!
December 24
Let’s Celebrate the Winter Solstice & Other Winter Events!
December 31
Let’s Welcome the New Year with Music!
Sing along to "Auld Lang Syne" and other classic tunes!
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When: Tuesdays, November 26 to December 31, 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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