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Newsletter Credits
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Editors
Calvin Hu
Andrea Orvik
Michelle Venegas
Contributors
Kathleen Kelly
Calvin Hu
Andrea Orvik
Lana Sheridan
Michelle Venegas
Leah Eskenazi
Graphics/Production
Andrea Orvik
Executive Director
Kathleen A. Kelly
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Board of Directors
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Directors
Ping Hao, President
Wanda Borges
Herman S. Brown
Katy Thomas Fike
Moira Fordyce
Jeff Kumataka
Jacquelyn Kung
Dan Lieberman
Michael Malewicz
Rajiv Mehta
Chris Park
Kathleen Raffel
F. Burns Vick
Deborah Wolter
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Spring is finally here. As a caregiver, you've just spent the last three months of winter trying to balance your own life with the needs of those for whom you care. Warmer weather, longer days and blossoming flowers are all great reminders to take those vital breaks from caregiving. From city parks, to local beaches, to nearby mountains and forests, the Bay Area provides everything needed to help you recharge and relax. Don't feel guilty taking some time off, to feel the sun on your face and the wind through your hair, even if only for short moments. Taking care of yourself will make you a better caregiver, but just as important, you deserve it.
This spring at FCA, we are also saying goodbye and good luck to dear colleagues and tireless advocates for family caregivers, including AJ Dugay who has been with us for over three years. I am excited to step into AJ's shoes as the new Education Coordinator and look forward to delivering Connections, as always, full of useful information to caregivers.
We would appreciate any feedback you have for us about our monthly newsletters. Please email us at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Calvin Hu
Education Coordinator, Family Caregiver Alliance
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 SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
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SUZANNE H. HARRIS
Co-Founder, Family Caregiver Alliance
1919-2015
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of our esteemed Co-Founder, Suzanne "Sue" Harris on February 21, 2015. Sue was a tireless advocate for family caregivers whether with policy makers, donors or researchers. She kept us honest to the mission and was a great friend. Sue will be remember fondly and missed tremendously. Our condolences to her children Pete, Evan and Andy and their families.
NEW General Caregiver Support Group in Alameda County!
Join FCA for an ongoing monthly support group for family caregivers on the third Wednesday of each month.
Next Session: Wednesday, March 18th, 2015 from 6:00pm-7:30pm
For more information: Please contact Tiffany Pippen, MSW, Family Caregiver Alliance at 415-434-3388 ext. 304 or via email. *If you are not a client of FCA's, please call to register before attending this support group.
You are invited to attend the 2014 Rosalinde Gilbert Innovations in Alzheimer's Disease Caregiving Legacy Awards Reception The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation and Family Caregiver Alliance's National Center on Caregiving are pleased to host the reception to honor the 2014 winners of the Awards, and we invite everyone to attend.
When:
Wednesday: March 25, 2015, 6:00 to 8:00pm
Where:
Hyatt Regency Chicago
Crystal Room C
151 East Wacker Drive Chicago, Illinois, USA, 60601
To read more about the winning programs in the areas of Creative Expression, Diverse/Multicultural Communities and Policy & Advocacy, please visit our website.
FCA launches NEW program: FCA+(plus)  As of January 1st of this year, FCA began accepting clients through its new signature program, FCA+(Plus), a new fee for service care management program. Click on the link for more information about the program.
Tech4Care: Products for Caregivers Family Caregiver Alliance has launched an online service to market new tech products to caregiving families that need them. Tech4Care offers product developers the opportunity to connect with visitors to the FCA website. Products for caregivers will also be featured in blogs on our website and in FCA's two newsletters.
We are on the lookout for new products and apps hitting the market, but for now we've launched with four promising products to kick off the program that launched in December of 2014: - GeriJoy-Virtual Care Companions - provides virtual senior care through teams of specially trained remote caregivers who interact with seniors through tablet-based avatars.
- Evermind - provides peace of mind to those who live alone, or who need extra support, and the people who care about them by detecting when electrical appliances are switched on and off.
- RightAssure - by EyeOn App, LLC-developed to help extend independent living and give peace of mind to both people living alone and their friends & families.
We're excited to be able to provide families with education and access to emerging technologies---useful tools that offer real, practical value. And because we're located in the heart of innovation in San Francisco, we're ideally positioned to do that. Interested makers and marketers of digital and emerging tech products can visit our Tech4Care webpage for more information and contact FCA directly through our Advertising and Sponsorship Inquiry form.
"Love is what you've been through with somebody." ~James Thurber |
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BETTER CAREGIVING, BETTER LIVES: The 2014-15 John A. Hartford Foundation Story Contest
The first prize story by Halima Amjadof documents the family's loss, sacrifice, day to day struggles and perseverance in taking care of their father and husband suffering from frontotemporal dementia.
The 'In' and 'On' of Family Caregiving Caregivers do their utmost to take care of their loved ones' every need. However this can often lead the caregiver to ignore their own health. Thinking like a CEO might help you develop the balanced life needed to provide the best care and to stay healthy and happy.
A 15-Year-Old Google Science Fair Finalist Has A Simple Idea To Help Alzheimer's Patients Read how this New York City teenager used his intelligence and creativity to create an unobtrusive warning system to help keep his grandfather safe.
How Americans' refusal to talk about death hurts the elderly A frank article on how the differing goals of adult children and their parents coupled with a lack of clear communication and candid talk often lead to the prioritization of safety over independence, where longevity is more highly valued than quality of life. |
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Archived Webinars (Free Viewing) Family Caregiver Webinars
Caregiving in U.S. to be focus of new congressional caucus
As part of the ACT (Assisting Caregivers Today) caucus, FCA is pushing for greater advocacy in Congress and awareness among members of Congress of the struggles that family caregivers face on a daily basis. Watch the event launch here.
Home Instead and Hilarity for Charity Partnership offering respite grants throughout the U.S
Hilarity for Charity�, (actor, Seth Rogan's charity), and the Home Instead Senior Care� network are working together to award home care grants to those providing care to their loved ones living with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. Application available online.
Walk and Talk for Caregivers Program - El Camino Hospital
Meet & Move is free and open to adults who provide some level of caregiving to an aging relative or friend, have access to the Internet and currently live in Mountain View, Los Altos, Sunnyvale, Cupertino and surrounding communities. For general information and information about the next orientation please call 650-934-3556. |
FCA PRESENTATIONS & WORKSHOPS
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March 25, 2015; 1:00pm-2:00pm PST Online
Long-Term Care in California: What Is It and Who Pays for It? (Webinar)
Long-term care can mean very different things to different people and matching the right level of service to the recipients is often unreasonably difficult. This webinar will examine the various levels and settings for long-term care, including some of the important rules and interesting issues involved. In addition, we will focus on payment options and how care recipients can identify good providers and maximize their care coverage while minimizing their expense.
* This webinar costs $15 (please purchase ticket at least 24 hours before this webinar). You have the option to register to view it live OR as a recording. CEU's are available through the Board of Behavioral Sciences (MFTs, LCSWs, Ed. Psychologists, & Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors). REGISTER ONLINE.
April 23rd, 30th, and May 7th, 2015; 5:00pm-7:00pm in Half Moon Bay
It Takes Two! This three 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
When: First class- Thursday: April 23, 2015, 5-7pm
Where: Coastside Adult Day Health Center, 925 Main Street, Half Moon Bay, CA
Speaker: Christina Irving, LCSW, FCA Family Consultant
To Register: Contact Christina Irving at 415-434-3388 ext. 303; Feel free to leave a message with your name, number and the name of this workshop.
April 29, 2015; 1:00pm-2:00pm PST Online Medi-Cal Planning: Former Eligibility Worker Offers an Expert Insiders Perspective of DHS (Webinar)
Kathryn Humphres shares her unique perspective of the Department of Health Services. Her webinar will focus on the help available for senior health related costs. She draws from her 30 years of experience to provide instruction related to programs associated with Long Term Care, In Home Support, Assisted Living Waiver Program, etc. *This webinar costs $15 (please purchase ticket at least 24 hours before this webinar). You have the option to register to view it live OR as a recording. CEU's are available through the Board of Behavioral Sciences (MFTs, LCSWs, Ed. Psychologists, & Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors). REGISTER ONLINE
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EVENTS IN THE COMMUNITY
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March 30, 2015 - April 20, 2015 in San Francisco
Caring for Those You Care About
What:
A Seniors At Home four-part workshop series offering understanding, solutions, and support. Each session will be devoted to a different aspect of caring for someone while still caring for yourself. You are welcome to attend one or all sessions.
When:
- Mondays: 6-8pm
- March 30 - Being an Effective Healthcare Advocate-for Yourself and Others
- April 6 -Setting Boundaries and Dealing with Changing Roles
- April 13 -Coping with Difficult Diseases
- April 20-Care and Compassion at the End of Life
Where:
Jewish Family and Children's Services, 2150 Post St., San Francisco
Pre-registration is required, $25 suggested donation for the series. Call 415-449-3777 or email us.
March 30, 2015 - May 4, 2015 in East Palo Alto
Living Well with Chronic Conditions What: Living Well with Chronic Conditions workshop (a Stanford self-management program), learn how to self-manage your health in this 6-week class: - Communicate with family/friends/physicians
- Develop and maintain an exercise program
- Eat healthy and manage stress
- Manage medications appropriately
When: Six Mondays, March 30 through May 4, 2015, 1:30-4pm
Where: East Palo Alto Family YMCA, 550 Bell Street, East Palo Alto
Pre-registration is required (limit of 20), call Verenice Nunez: 650-687-5315.
For more information, contact Peggy Simon by phone at 650-725-4137 or by email.
April 25, 2015 in San Francisco Coping with the Unique Challenges of Adults with Brain Disease: A Caregiver's Workshop What:
In this free UCSF workshop,caregivers will receive practical information from nurses, physicians, and other professionals on caring for patients with illnesses that affect the brain, including brain tumors, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and injuries to the brain caused by trauma or stroke. Topics include:
- Effects of Brain Disease on Loved Ones and Our Relationships
- Caring for those with Neurological Impairments
- Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction: Less Stress, Better Care
- Expressive Art
- Yoga and Meditation
- Values-based Living
- Journaling
- Fitting in Fitness
- Caregiver Panels and Support Groups
When:
Saturday, April 25th, 2015, 8am-5pm
Where:
Fisher Banquet Room, Mission Bay Conference Center, 1675 Owens Street, San Francisco
Pre-Registration is required, space is limited. Call the Caregiver Program at 415-514.5674.
April 25, 2015 in Oakland
The African American Caregiving and Wellness Forum- Focusing on Brain Health and Disease Management
WHAT:
African Americans continue to be twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's disease or other dementias, and more likely diagnosed in the late stages of this disease. Join us for the free 7th Annual African American Caregiving and Wellness Forum:
- Learn more about Alzheimer's disease
- Interact with other caregivers in similar caregiving situations
- How to respond when Alzheimer's causes unpredictable behaviors
- How to reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer's
- Ways to stay strong during stressful caregiving experiences
WHERE:
North Oakland Senior Center, 5714 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland
WHEN:
Saturday, April 25, 2015, 8:30am-2:30pm
Register ONLINE HERE or call 800.272.3900.
For more information, please email Gwen Gates or Alicia Okoh or call 800.272.3900.
May 13, 2015 in Foster City
17th Annual Updates on Dementia Conference: Translating Research Into Practice
WHAT: Tailored to health care professionals, researchers and clinicians present the latest research in the biological, social, psychological, and cultural aspects of aging and dementia with particular emphasis on practical applications to clinical practice. Continuing Education Units available.
WHERE: Crowne Plaza Hotel, 1221 Chess Drive, Foster City
WHEN: Wednesday, May 13, 2015, 8am-4:15pm
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RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOU
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PROFESSIONAL LISTINGS:
FS Need to Know Dialogue (a virtual town hall)
FS Need to Know is a national initiative, conducted in both English and Spanish, to gather family support research questions and topic ideas for the Family Support Research and Training Center (FSRTC) at the University of Illinois at Chicago and co-hosted by Easter Seals, Inc. We want you to tell us what questions and topics about family support need better answers.
The research topics and questions that you suggest as part of FS Need to Know will hep create a national strategic plan for family support research in the U.S. We will use your insights to create a plan to research these issues and to help inform family support policies, programs, and services. In particular, we welcome responses from individuals with disabilities, family caregivers, siblings, family advocacy organizations, service providers, and researchers.
Please submit questions by March 30, 2015. To register and submit new ideas, please visit our site in English or Spanish. If you have questions you can call (844) 781-415.
Whole brain radiation therapy informational study
Adelphi Values is conducting a study to explore the ways that whole brain radiation therapy can affect individuals with brain metastases of non-small cell lung cancer. Adelphi Values would like to conduct some interviews with individuals who have received whole brain radiation therapy to discuss their experiences with the treatment. We would also like to conduct interviews with people who care for individuals who have received whole brain radiation therapy to discuss their perspective on the patient's experience after receiving the treatment. Each interview will last approximately 60 minutes. Each person who participates in an interview will receive $100. Please email Kas Severson.
Life Enhancing Activities for Family Caregivers (LEAF)
space
Researchers at the University of California San Francisco are testing a program for family caregivers of people with dementia. Six positive emotion based skill-building sessions are delivered one-on-one via videoconferencing on study-supplied tablet computers, so caregivers can take part from anywhere in the USA. Study consists of six weekly hour-long sessions, nightly home practice, and online surveys. To be eligible, you must be the primary caregiver of someone with any type of degenerative dementia, and you must have consistent access to a reliable wifi connection for your weekly sessions. For more information, please access our website, email us, or call (415) 514-2935.
Relationships, Grief, and Life Satisfaction of Spousal Caregivers
My study aims to shed light on how grief over potential losses might affect the connection between caregivers' relationships and life satisfaction. Little is known about this area, and such information may help improve the types of support provided to this ever-growing population of individuals. This study is entirely anonymous, collects no identifying information, and should take 20 minutes or less to complete. At the end you have the chance to provide additional information that you believe is important for me to know. Thank you so much for your time and contribution to this important area of research!
Study link
Steven Pote, MA, LPC
Doctoral Candidate, Counseling Psychology
University of Northern Colorado
Seeking Family Caregivers for UC Berkeley Study
Are you a family member of an older adult living alone or in a community/assisted living environment? We are graduate students conducting research at UC Berkeley into the challenges faced by the family members of older adults. Our aim for this study is to develop a service offering that can help address some of these issues.
If you are willing to speak with us (a short phone conversation), please email Rory Costello.
Thank you so much for your support.
The Family Caregiver's Experience - Examining the Positive and Negative Aspects of Compassion Satisfaction and Compassion Fatigue
Are you a family caregiver of someone with a chronic illness? We are conducting a short, 15 minute survey and ask that you to reflect on your experience as a family caregiver and provide insight regarding both the positive and negative aspects of your experience.
If you would like to participate in this research study or know someone who might, please click on the link below to go to the survey.
Your participation in this survey is voluntary and all your responses will be anonymous and kept confidential.
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GIFTS FROM THE HEART
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A thank you to our donors and supporters . . .
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.
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For over 30 years, Family Caregiver Alliance has offered programs to support and sustain the important work of families and friends caring for loved ones with chronic, disabling health conditions. FCA offers programs at national, state and local levels. The National Center on Caregiving was established at FCA in 2001 to advance the development of high-quality, cost-effective services and policies nationwide. A wealth of caregiving advice, resource listings, newsletters, fact sheets, research reports, policy updates and discussion groups are available free on the FCA website. Visit www.caregiver.org or call (800) 445-8106 for more information.
� 2013 Family Caregiver Alliance. All Rights Reserved. No portion of this newsletter may be reproduced without the express permission of Family Caregiver Alliance.
785 Market Street, Ste. 750, San Francisco, CA 94103
www.caregiver.org | 415.434.3388
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