Elder Care Program Spring 2020 Newsletter
Dear All,

Greetings! I hope some of you were able to get a little rest and recreation during the campus closure, and that you are feeling a sense of renewal as you begin the New Year. I know that many of you spent the holidays with elderly family members and friends, some of whom may be struggling with increased frailty and dependence. You may be feeling a sense of urgency to help, and uncertainty about where to begin. Please remember that the Elder Care Program is here to assist you. We are offering all new workshops this Spring, some of which may address your concerns. Additionally, the Elder Care Counselor is available to meet with you individually to discuss your particular elder care situation, help you make a plan, and provide resources.
As caregivers, it’s essential that you focus on yourself as well. Many of the Be Well at Work programs offer workshops to promote well-being. Please consider participating in ones that may be helpful to you.

Sincerely,

Maureen Kelly, Elder Care Counselor
Karen Patchell, Be Well at Work Program Manager

Spring 2020 Elder Care Workshops
To register, please click on the workshop titles below
Tuesday, Feb. 11th

With rising costs of medical expenses, planning for Long Term Care for yourself or a loved one can be complex and challenging. Solutions require all or a combination of: the coordination of the family’s personal and financial resources, insurance benefits, and public benefits planning. Come learn more about the various Financial Planning options for Long Term Care.

Wednesday, Mar. 18th

Alzheimer’s disease is not a part of normal aging, nor do we think about it affecting people who are under age 65. However, younger-onset (also known as early-onset) Alzheimer's, affects approximately 200,000 of the more than 5 million Americans with Alzheimer’s disease.
Since health care providers generally don't look for Alzheimer's disease in younger people, getting an accurate diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer's can be a long and frustrating process for the person and for their families. Join us to learn about the impact of Alzheimer's, the difference between Alzheimer's and dementia, stages and risk factors, current research and treatments available for some symptoms, and the particular challenges faced by individuals and family members when there is a diagnosis of Younger-Onset Alzheimer’s.


Tuesday, April 21st

The term "Sandwich Generation," was first coined in 1981 by social worker Dorothy Miller to describe “women” in their 30s and 40s who were “sandwiched” between caring for young children and their aging parents. The term has since expanded to include all adult children who are caring for their elders as well as for their older and adult children who have returned home. 

This workshop will identify common stressors experienced by the Sandwich Generation such as juggling multiple needs and schedules, being emotionally and financially responsible for more than one generation, the challenges of caring for both children and parents simultaneously, and the scarcity of time and energy for self-care and other relationships. Strategies to manage the stress of caring and ways to nurture the self will be presented.

Wednesday, May 6th

“We are all caregivers and seekers of healing.” The process of becoming fully present to and loving towards ourselves and others, can be an opportunity for profound growth and healing. In this workshop, we will learn a clear, concise and usable model to live life more consciously and compassionately while acknowledging our own mortality.

Campus Events
Be Well at Work Spring Workshops

Learning about healthy behaviors is often easier than sustaining them. Join Be Well at Work this semester for workshops which focus on incorporating realistic and practical habits, planning ahead for better lasting results, and contributing to the sustainability of our natural world for better overall physical, environmental, and mental health. 

Workshop: Setting and Enforcing Healthy Limits
Many of us are drawn to work in higher education out of a commitment to service. This commitment to service, while admirable, is often paired with difficulty setting limits both at work and in our personal lives. This workshop will help you to identify when you’re overextending yourself. You will also learn to set limits successfully by attending to and valuing your own needs and limitations.   
Community Events
It Takes Two! A Refreshing Approach to Understanding and Coping with Dementia Behavior
This four-week class offers new skills and tools for family caregivers
who care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias.
In It Takes Two!, you will:

  • learn more about your relative’s ability to understand and communicate.
  • learn new skills to handle troubling behavior.
  • feel more confident and positive about your caregiving role.

Where: San Leandro Senior Center, 13909 E 14th Street, San Leandro
When: Thursdays from 1 pm to 3 pm starting February 20. You will need to be able to attend all four sessions (February 20, 27, and March 5, 12).

To register contact Calvin Hu at chu@caregiver.org or call (415) 434 3388 x 313


Aging with Pride: IDEA
Open to the LGBTQ Community, IDEA (Innovations in Dementia Empowerment and Action) are offering a free 6-week program to reduce stress and increase physical activity for person's experiencing memory loss or their care partners.

Contact 1-888-655-6646 or ageIDEA@uw.edu

Medi-Cal and Covered California Informational Table
Have questions about Medi-Cal or Covered California? Axis Community Health is at the library every second Monday of the Month to give you some answers. You may be eligible for financial assistance to cover the cost of a health plan. Let their certified enrollment counselors help get you and your loved ones covered!

When: Every 2nd Monday of each month, 1 pm - 4 pm
Where: Dublin Library

Book & Article Recommendations

“The book helps readers view their caregiving as a mission from the heart, complete with sections on accepting your feelings, embracing rewards, seeking support and managing stress.  Each page offers an anecdote drawn from the authors’ personal or clinical experience, inspiration and solace, and direct psychological or hands-on advice to foster coping and life satisfaction ."
How Caregivers Can Cultivate Moments of Positivity- Kira Newman

"Ultimately, Moskowitz and her team found that the caregivers who learned positive emotion skills ended up experiencing more positive emotions and (in turn) less depression. They also felt less anxious and experienced more positive aspects of caregiving (like feeling useful, appreciated, and connected) compared to the other group. "


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