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Below is a comprehensive list of classes, workshops and retreats offered by Family Caregiver Alliance. Not all of these events are offered every season. To inquire about registration, contact our Education Coordinator at (800) 445-8106, for more information. View our current schedule of events.

Caregiver College

Do you help to care for a family member or friend who is frail, disabled, has a chronic illness or cognitive impairment? Then it's back to school for you! Our popular Caregiver College for learning and sharing is offered in two ways: as a day-long program, or in a series of 4 classes on consecutive weeks. Class is open to anyone, is FREE, and includes valuable information and hands-on practice on transferring skills, incontinence care and toileting, bathing, hygiene, grooming and dressing, dental care, feeding and nutrition, dealing with behavioral issues, and caregiver self-care. Time is allowed for interaction with other caregivers, and sharing of information in a confidential setting is encouraged.

Camp for Caring

Camp for Caring is for care receivers and is one our most popular weekend retreats for adults suffering from Alzheimer's disease, stroke, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease and other brain impairments. Campers spend the weekend (Friday-Sunday) in an attractive camp or retreat setting so that their caregivers can enjoy a much needed 48-hour respite from caregiving.

The success of this camp is attributed to Camp for Caring AAA's—Activity, Affection and Attention. The activity program is highly structured with outdoor activities, arts and crafts, singing and dancing, low impact exercises, group games and hand massages.

There is close supervision by paid professionals and volunteers who provide around-the-clock care, a 24-hour on-site nurse and night attendants.

Controlling Your Frustration: A Class for Caregivers

Providing care for an ill relative may be one of the most challenging experiences of a family caregiver's life. With those challenges come emotions, both pleasant and unpleasant. This FREE class focuses on providing the caregiver with information on the different aspects of caregiving that are likely to trigger strong emotional reactions, such as understanding frustration, and being aware of the danger signals and how to control them. This class is also offered in Spanish.

Como Controlar la Frustracion: Una Clase para las Personas que Atienden a un Enfermo

Uno de los desafios mas grandes en la vida de una persona es tener que atender a un enfermo. Parte del desafio son las emociones agradables y desagradables. Esta clase da informacion sobre como distintos aspectos y situaciones de la atencion a un enfermo pueden ser causa de reacciones emocionales. Ofrecemos esta clase en ingles tambien.

Decisions, Directions and Reflections: If and When Do You Move Your Loved One to a Care Facility

Placing a loved one in a nursing home can be one of life's most difficult decisions? one that can stir up feelings of self-doubt, anxiety, intense guilt which can drain your energy and self-esteem, and above all, a feeling of abandoning your family member. In this workshop you will learn how to acknowledge your true feelings, to put any "broken promises" into perspective, how to recognize reality and take positive action, and take charge of your own life and needs.

It Takes Two: A Refreshing Approach to Understanding and Coping with Dementia Behavior

A FREE, 4-week class (one day each week) to help the caregiver of someone with memory loss better understand and communicate with their family member by learning more about their ability to understand and communicate. Caregivers will learn new ways to respond to troubling behavior, and feel more confident and positive about their caregiving role. Come prepared for good company, laughter, information and communication.

Tuesdays April 23, 30, May 7, 14
1pm-3pm
Chateau III Carlton Senior Living Center
175 Cleaveland Rd.
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
(925) 935-1001

La Salud Para Los Cuidadores Familiares

Alzheimer's Association, Family Caregiver Alliance y OnLok Lifeways presentan este evento: es gratis se ofrecerá en español. Se ofrecerá un desayuno ligero.

Temas del taller:

• Introducioón a la demencia y problemas de la memoria
• Nutricion y estilo de vida saludable en el cuidador
• Manejo del estres en el cuidador

Próximas clases

Sábado 6 de Abril del 2013
8:30 am - 12:30 pm
Oficinas de Onlok,
225 30th street, 2nd piso,
San Francisco, CA

Inscríbase para asegurar su lugar. Para inscribirse y para más información, llame a Lois Escobar 415.434.3388 extension 319, Ernesto Hidalgo al 650.623.3135 o Hilda Uribe-Escobar al 415.292.8307.

Powerful Tools for Caregiving

It's not easy balancing your caregiving role and other parts of your life when you care for someone with a chronic health condition such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's or stroke. Powerful Tools is a FREE, six-week class (1 day a week) giving caregivers invaluable tools to help reduce stress, make difficult decisions, communicate more effectively in challenging situations, and most importantly, prevent caregiver burnout!

Throughout these weeks, Powerful Tools will show caregivers how to take care of themselves, make tough decisions, set goals and solve problems, help to reduce feelings of guilt, anger and depression, and communicate effectively with family members, doctors, and paid helpers.

Retreats

Retreats are scheduled throughout the year and are planned specifically for the family caregiver as either a 1-day or 2-day respite from caregiving for their loved ones.

1-day retreat

These FREE retreats are comprised of an educational component such as identifying and managing stress, tips for preventing caregiver burnout, and interaction with other caregivers in quiet and peaceful surroundings, with time built in for nature walks or alone time for personal reflection and relaxing. Lunch is provided followed by entertainment such as rhythmic drumming or a demonstration of relaxation techniques for the further enjoyment and benefit of caregivers.

2-day retreat

Planned for caregivers to relax and inspire! A special place for rest, relaxation and rejuvenation in a tranquil setting with people who share your concerns. Past themes have included: "An Exploration of Caregiving and Family Relationships", "The Caregiving Journey: Changing Relationships", "Anger, Intimacy and Grief: A Delicate Balance", and "Grief and Loss: Creating Our Caregiving Future." Also included on the program are massages, relaxation exercises, journal writing, hiking trails and entertainment, as well as delicious home-cooked meals!

Taking Care of SoMEone Else!

A dynamic 2-hour workshop for YOU, the caregiver! The caregiving of your family member may extend over many years, and the tendency may be to set your life aside during this time. You are invited to stay open to change, to think about other ways you might be handling your caregiving situation, and how you can take action on YOUR OWN behalf by learning a few tools to help YOU take care of YOU!

Subjects covered are: steps to identify sources of stress and how to manage them, negative self-talk, inability to ask for help, and identifying what we can and cannot change.

Se Necesitan Dos

Comparta con nosotros esta clase de 4 semanas (un dia cada semana) especialmente desarrollada para cuidadores de adultos con la enfermedad de Alzheimer y otras demencias relacionadas. Venga preparado para buena compania, algunas risas, informacion y comunicacion.

Telecaregiving

There must be a better way than this! Learn practical skills in a 90-minute FREE telephone workshop on caregiving tools for communicating with people with dementia. In advance of the workshop you will be provided with training materials and a toll-free dial-in number for the conference call.

There Must be a Better Way Than This! Tips for Understanding and Communicating with Someone Affected by Dementia

Losing the ability to communicate can be one of the most frustrating and difficult challenges for people with dementia. As caregivers, we're often at a loss as to how to talk with and respond to a loved one affected by dementia. This 1-day workshop teaches you new strategies to handle difficult behaviors and how to remain connected with your family member. Discussions will cover how dementia affects a person's ability to understand and communicate; learn simple skills to handle troubling behavior; and feel more confident in your caregiving role.

2-DAY CLASS:  
(Must be able to attend both sessions)
Saturdays, June 1st and 8th, 2013
9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Coastside Adult Day Health Program
645 Correas Street, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
SPEAKERS: Christina Irving, LCSW, Family Consultant Family Caregiver Alliance

Registration: Contact FCA's Christina Irving to register at (415) 434-3388 ext. 303.

1-DAY CLASS: 

Saturday: June 8th, 2013
9am-12pm
On Lok Lifeways Fremont
3683 Peralta Blvd, Fremont, CA 94536
SPEAKERS: Tiffany Pippen, MSW, Family Consultant
Family Caregiver Alliance

CLASS IS CURRENTLY FULL. Contact our Education Coordinator to be placed on a waiting list.

FCA, with Alzheimer's Association of Northern CA and Northern NV are hosting this free workshop. For more information please call: Tiffany Pippen at (415) 434-3388 extension 304

What's Up, Doc? Communicating Effectively with Health Care Professionals

It is quite likely that you as the family caregiver have found yourself gradually assuming, month-by month, the role of taking care of your loved one as dementia or other disabling illness has taken hold, and a first encounter with the health care system has left you confused and with a feeling of the system being very impersonal. This 1-day FREE workshop helps to clarify the current realities of the health care experience, teaches you how to identify and use more effective communication techniques with health care professionals, and to practice powerful communication tools and techniques in order to be a better advocate on behalf of your loved one.

Would you like to support Family Caregiver Alliance's ongoing commitment to provide health information to the Bay Area community with classes and workshops specifically planned for the family caregiver? If so, donations would be gratefully accepted. You can donate online by clicking here, or contact us at 1-800-445-8106, or email our Education Coordinator. Thank you.

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