|
Vol. 15, No. 2
February 2024
| |
|
Dear Friends:
Being a caregiver can be thought of as being on a journey, a marathon, or even a terrifying roller coaster. While no two caregiving experiences will be identical, caregivers often face very similar challenges. FCA’s FAQ (frequently asked questions) is a helpful resource for quick information on common questions like: Can I get paid to care for a family member, How can I get my family member to accept help, and How can I find respite care. Family caregivers in search of more personalized or detailed information and resources are encouraged to use our free online tool, CareNav, and visit FCA at caregiver.org.
Sincerely,
Calvin Hu
Education Coordinator
edprograms@caregiver.org
| |
|
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”
— Chinese Proverb
| |
|
Spotlight on Caregiver Stories
FCA works to advocate for and support family caregivers across the country. Over the years, we’ve learned from those we serve of the many challenges and joys of the caregiving journey. We are grateful that many caregivers allow FCA to share their stories, each one a unique personal testament.
This month we have highlighted seven diverse stories we hope you might find educational, relatable, and comforting, knowing that you are not alone.
| |
|
2023 Winners of the Innovations in Alzheimer’s Caregiving Awards
In celebration of the 16th year of the Innovations in Alzheimer’s Caregiving Awards, The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation, Bader Philanthropies, Inc., and FCA are pleased to announce three winning 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 and include:
A Friendly Day At The Movies
Dementia Friendly Saline+ (Saline, Michigan)
Barn-At-Home Program
Connected Horse (Rocklin, California)
AFSC Community Center at the Cape Cod Mall
Alzheimer’s Family Support Center (Brewster, Massachusetts)
| |
|
Innovations in Alzheimer’s Caregiving Awards Reception in San Francisco
Join us in honoring the 2023 Innovations in Alzheimer’s Caregiving Award winners with program presentations, conversation, hors d’oeuvres, and beverages. All are welcome!
Date: Tuesday, March 26, 2024 from 6-8pm
Location: Hilton San Francisco Union Square, Yosemite A
| |
|
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.
| |
|
Dementia and Driving
A diagnosis of dementia may not mean that a person can no longer drive safely. Most dementia, however, is progressive, meaning that symptoms such as memory loss, visual-spatial disorientation, and decreased cognitive function will worsen over time. A person’s driving skills will decrease and, eventually, he or she will have to give up driving. This FCA fact sheet provides a good starting point for this difficult situation.
| |
|
Seeking That Elusive Good Night Sleep
Most adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep each night for optimum performance, health, and safety. Unfortunately, caregivers often find themselves exhausted at the end of the day, but many are still not able to sleep. This FCA tip sheet suggests some ways to help get a good night’s sleep, and includes resources for those in need of additional information.
| |
|
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 Februar events, please click here.
| |
|
When my mom had cancer, I was her long-distance caregiver. I flew 600 miles every 3 weeks to go to her appointments.
Being a caregiver does not always mean in-person responsibilities. There are also long-distance caregivers, and some caregivers who do both in-person and long-distance. Tiffany Drummond writing for Business Insider, shares her two year journey as a caregiver to her mother, and offers encouragement to those on their own journeys.
| |
|
How to Find the Right Person to Care for Your Loved One
Caregiving responsibilities can be extremely challenging and draining. Hiring a paid assistant can help reduce the workload, but for many caregivers this can be itself a difficult task. Next Avenue’s Myrna Marofsky shares tips and considerations that she learned when finding a paid assistant and later home health aid for her husband.
| |
|
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.
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.
| |
|
February 6
Let’s Go to Paris!
Experience the romance and charm of the City of Lights.
February 13
Famous or INfamous?
Explore the intriguing tales of famous... or infamous... couples throughout history!
February 20
Let’s travel off the beaten path!
Embark on a journey to some of the world's smallest, often overlooked or unknown countries.
| |
|
February 27
Let’s Go to Seattle!
Uncover the local view of the vibrant city of Seattle with our special guest.
March 5
Let’s explore Animal Extremes!
Travel the globe to learn about and compare the animals that claim the most extreme titles.
March 12
Let’s explore the decades- TV edition!
Delve into the trivia behind and within popular TV shows over the decades.
| |
|
When: Tuesdays, January 23 to March 12, 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.
| |
|
靜觀感恩體驗 (粵語進⾏) Mindfulness and Gratitude Experiential Group (In Cantonese)
你是否因照顧家⼈⽽感到⾝⼼俱疲? 時間不⾜? 感到壓⼒? 做事好像提不起勁?
研究顯⽰，靜觀能緩和壓⼒、穩定情緒、提⾼免疫機能及改善⼈際關係。
陳姑娘誠意邀請你參加靜觀感恩體驗⼩組。透過⼩組的體驗及互動的交流，你能了解及掌握靜觀和感恩的技巧，並在⽇常⽣活實踐靜觀和感恩的⽣活態度，提升情緒健康，增加正能量，讓你的⼈⽣過得更稱⼼如意!
⽇期：3/8, 3/15, 3/22, 3/29/2024（逢星期五，共四堂）
時間：上午9:30-11:00
聯絡: Queenie Lai-Kwan Chan陳麗君, (415) 528-3883, qchan@caregiver.org
Are you feeling physically and mentally exhausted from caregiving? Don’t have enough time for yourself? Stressed? Little interest or pleasure in doing things?
Queenie sincerely invites you to join the Mindfulness and Gratitude Experiential Group. You can learn mindfulness and gratitude skills from the group and practice your learnt skills in your daily life.
Research findings showed that practicing mindfulness can lessen a person’s pressure, improve emotional stability, immune system and interpersonal relationships.
By practicing gratitude and mindfulness, you can gain internal peace, boost your positive energy and live in a satisfying life!
Date：3/8, 3/15, 3/22, 3/29/2024 (4 Fridays)
Time：9:30-11:00am
Contact: Queenie Lai-Kwan Chan陳麗君, (415) 528-3883, qchan@caregiver.org
Registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUrfuyoqj0iHtbZErBNCrPqMlt7STfH3Iny#/registration
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 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.
| |
|
Professional Research Listings
Graduate Student Research Listings
| |
|
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!
| |
|
CONNECTIONS CREDITS
Editors: Calvin Hu, Al Martinez
Contributors: Kathleen Kelly, Executive Director, Calvin Hu, Lana Sheridan, Leah Eskenazi
| |
|
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.
| |
235 Montgomery Street | Suite 930 | San Francisco, CA 94104
| |
Follow FCA on social media! | | | | |
