Connect your patients' or clients' caregivers to 1:1 support
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Good morning,
We are still inspired and uplifted from an event we hosted with a talented group of community providers in San Francisco last week called Caregiver Conversations: A Day of Learning, Support, and Information Exchange. This event was modeled after others FCA has convened in Contra Costa and Alameda counties to raise awareness and support for family caregivers of adults living with serious illness.
What is truly unique about this gathering—and what always makes it so rewarding—is that family caregivers are the heart and soul of the day. The events, activities and programming all prioritize listening to and learning from the caregivers in attendance. As the subject matter experts on caregiving, family caregivers invigorate and shape the important conversations that take place.
Caregivers were joined by an array of engaging speakers, caregiving professionals and aligned organizations, and the day unfolded with rich dialogue, innovative ideas, and many new connections, friendships and a renewed spirit for a common cause. See photos and a summary below.
In this month's issue, we’re also including a line-up of upcoming classes and events, including a caregiver advocacy training for service providers and a training for Spanish-speaking health professionals on culturally competent care. We’re sharing a bunch of resources, too:
- a video + resources package for ALS caregivers,
- a new infographic on self-care
- and an offering for your Spanish-speaking clients or patients.
Enjoy the read and thank you for all you do!
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Thank you,
Family Caregiver Alliance
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Caregiver Conversations:
A Day of Learning, Support, and Information Exchange
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This year’s Caregiver Conversations event, held in-person in San Francisco on August 18th, was a lively and inspiring gathering of 130 family caregivers, community service providers and others interested in caregiving, all coming together to raise awareness and support for family caregivers. FCA hosted the event along with several partner organizations, and we were thrilled with the attendance and engagement!
Caregiver Conversations provides a forum for caregivers to share their lived experience, connect with each other, and learn about resources in San Francisco, and for providers and industry professionals to listen and gain a deeper understanding of caregivers' needs and support opportunities.
The day featured a several panels (of both caregiver experts and local professional experts) for important and illuminating conversations, Q&A sessions, small group discussions, wellness activities and more.
To increase accessibility, the event was simulcast for those unable to join in person while in-person translators translated the live event in Cantonese and Spanish to attendees wearing special listening headsets.
We are grateful to the Metta Fund for their generous financial support making this event possible, to the San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living for providing breakfast, and to the Stupski Foundation for supporting wellness activities. We also greatly appreciate the partnership of the below organizations, and of course—the participating family caregivers—for making this event such a success!
Partner organizations: Alzheimer’s Association; Institute on Aging; Jewish Family and Children’s Services; Kimochi, Inc.; Openhouse; San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living; San Francisco Disability & Aging Services; Self-Help for the Elderly; SteppingStone; and UCSF Memory & Aging Center/Global Brain Institute.
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Upcoming Classes & Events | |
Introducing new classes and webinars for family caregivers and providers:
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LGBTQ+ Dementia Care Training for Spanish-Speaking Health Professionals in San Francisco — Tues, August 30 12:30-2pm PT. Focuses on effective communication strategies for dementia care of patients from the LGBTQ+ community. Download the flyer here. To register, contact Adriana Sanchez at (415) 434-3388 ext. 316 or at asanchez@caregiver.org.
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Let's Get Away Together! — August 30, Sept 6. Our last two classes in this iteration of our popular virtual travel series take participants to Yosemite National Park and on an exploration of the autumn season. Full info and registration here.
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Managing Caregiver Stress — August 31. This webinar helps caregivers reduce stress by caring for their mind, body and spirit. They'll learn how to streamline caregiving tasks, create a "caregiving village," and utilize stress management techniques. Full info and registration here.
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Powerful Tools for Caregivers — Weekly on Wednesdays, Sept 7, 14, 21, 28 and October 5 & 12. 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. They'll learn how to reduce stress, make difficult caregiving decisions, communicate more effectively and prevent burnout. Full info and registration here.
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Caregivers Count! 12th Annual Conference Virtual Event (4-Part Series) — September 10, 17, 24 and Oct 1. Designed for family and friend caregivers, this conference features expert speakers as well as senior service agencies sharing information about local supportive services. Visit the website and registration page.
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Lift Up Your Voice — September 13 & 14. This is a two-part caregiver advocacy training for family caregivers and service providers hosted by California Coalition on Family Caregiving and Community Catalyst. This training will provide concrete strategies and increase participants’ confidence to advocate for policies that improve caregiver support and recognition in government, social service and healthcare systems. Register here.
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Caregiving 101 — December 14. Offers a general overview of what it means to be a family caregiver and how caregiving impacts one's overall health and well-being. Participants will also learn about respite, caregiver stress and ways to find additional help. services. Full info and registration here.
All classes are free. Bookmark our calendar to stay up to date on upcoming classes, webinars and events.
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A Lifeline for ALS Caregivers | |
Do you serve caregivers who may be overwhelmed by new responsibilities of caring for someone with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)? We created ALS Caregivers: You’re Not Alone, as a comprehensive, one-stop resource to help them.
In this video, caregivers learn:
- What to expect during early, middle, and late-stage ALS
- How to prepare for their role as a caregiver
- Taking care of themselves
- Essential legal and financial preparations
- Hospice and end-of-life care
The video also comes with information-rich resources: an ALS fact sheet, article and comprehensive resource guide.
This video and related resources are part of our four-part “You’re Not Alone” video series, which was made possible by a generous grant from Adira Foundation with additional support from other valued donors.
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New Infographic on Self-Care | |
Our new infographic “5 Self-Care Validations for Family Caregivers” shares one of the most important—and often most neglected—things family caregivers can do to take care of themselves. We know that when caregivers put self-care first, the people they care for benefit as well. Learn more here and download the infographic here.
This is part of our series of 10 all-new infographics featuring quick tips and insights based on our most popular caregiver fact sheets. We’ll share a new infographic every week for the next 10 weeks— see the full list and info here.
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Email Newsletter for
Spanish-Speaking Caregivers
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Did you know that we have an e-newsletter for Spanish-speaking caregivers? Our bi-monthly edition focuses on issues and information important to family caregivers. This includes information about FCA’s services, helpful tips, articles, events and more. Let your clients or patients know they can ¡Suscríbase ahora! (Subscribe Here)
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Get in Touch Today
Connect caregivers to personalized support & caregiving resources
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>> Contact us:
Phone
(800) 445-8106 toll free
(415) 434-3388 (ext. 331)
Email
info@caregiver.org
Fax a referral to
(415) 434-3508
Download the fax referral form here
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>> Or let caregivers contact us directly by phone or online:
It's easy, fast and only a click away. Caregivers can go online to answer a 15-minute questionnaire that gets them services and answers quickly. They can also set up time to talk with our staff at their convenience.
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We respect your inbox, so we send our Provider e-News Update out every 1-2 months. But between issues, we are still hosting and sharing plenty of activities, classes, webinars and new resources for caregivers.
Stay in the know by following us on any or all of our social media channels — and be sure to share them with others who can benefit!
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... and while you're here — sign up for our Connections e-newsletter (designed for family and friend caregivers), ¿Que Pasa? boletin (our e-newsletter for Spanish-speaking caregivers), and our Caregiving Policy Digest newsletter (caregiving policy at the local, national and international levels). | |
ABOUT Family Caregiver Alliance
FCA’s mission is to improve the quality of life for family caregivers and those who receive their care. Our work intersects three key areas: caregiver services, policy, and research. Learn more here. Although a nationally-recognized organization, San Francisco-established FCA has deep roots and community partnerships in the Bay Area.
FCA supports and assists caregivers of adults with chronic or disabling health conditions regardless of race, ancestry, national origin, creed, gender, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, income, or age.
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