On the Calendar

Each Caregiver Resource Center (CRC) serves as a point of entry to services available to caregiving families in every county of California. All CRCs offer a core component of programs that provide information, education, and support for caregivers. The following calendar listings are a sampling of what is offered by the eleven California CRCs. Visit the California Caregiver Resource Centers website to search by date or by zipcode for a caregiver event in your area. Please be sure to contact your local CRC to confirm the dates and times for workshops and other events.

It Takes Two: A Refreshing Approach to Understanding Dementia Behavior

A four-week class to help caregivers of someone with memory loss better understand and communicate with their family member. Learn new ways to respond to troubling behavior. Feel more confident and positive about your caregiving role.

Tuesdays, October 24, 31 and November 7, 14, 2006
1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Bay Area CRC / Family Caregiver Alliance

Mondays November 6, 13, 20, 27, 2006
1:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Redwood Caregiver Resource Center

When Everyone Talks and Nobody Listens: Working Together with Your Siblings

This workshop will focus on common conflicts among siblings when providing care for a family member and how to foster agreement and cooperation. Caregivers will learn tips for more effective communication, ways to encourage participation, and strategies to work things out.

Wednesday, October 25, 2006
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Valley Caregiver Resource Center

Caring for a Loved One Workshop Series

Learn and practice techniques that work with communication and difficult behaviors, become a stronger advocate for yourself or a family member with memory problems, and develop an awareness of your personal needs. Topics include: Respite, Self-Care and Resources; Behaviors and Communication; Partnering with Your Doctor for Independence and Safety; and Finding New Ways to Celebrate the Holidays.

Wednesdays, October 25-November 15, 2006
6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Orange Caregiver Resource Center

Difficult Conversations about Difficult Decisions

Caring for a loved one with a chronic condition often involves making some difficult decisions. Anticipating the kinds of situations that may arise can help you honor your loved one's healthcare wishes and avoid having to make tough decisions alone or in crisis. This class consists of two 2-hour sessions that will teach participants how to initiate difficult conversations and deal with conflict. Topics covered include the pros and cons of advance health care directives, placement decisions, and "holding on" versus "letting go."

Thursday, October 26, 2006
1:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Redwood Caregiver Resource Center

The Soothing Effects of Art for Caregivers

Explore using creativity to reduce stress and relax and create a peaceful environnment as you prepare for the holidays. Two workshop dates are available.

Thursday, November 2, 2006
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Del Oro Caregiver Resource Center

Wednesday, November 8, 2006
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Del Oro Caregiver Resource Center

Caring for the Caregiver Conference

Join the Los Angeles Caregiver Resource at the First Church of God in Inglewood as we salute and honor caregivers with a day of workshops, resources and fun! Brighten up with keynote speaker Roberta Gold as she discusses how caregivers can use humor to help meet the challenges of caregiving. Workshop topics include: tai chi for stress relief, paid family leave, sexuality and intimacy, and more! Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Saturday, November 4, 2006
8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Los Angeles Caregiver Resource Center

There Must Be A Better Way Than This!

We aren't born knowing how to communicate with someone with dementia. In this popular workshop, you'll learn the best way to talk with and respond to a person with memory loss, and acquire tools and strategies to help you feel connected with your family member, and to handle difficult behaviors.

Saturday, November 4, 2006
9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Bay Area CRC / Family Caregiver Alliance

Creative Alternative

Join other caregivers in learning how to use creativity to deal with the stress, exhaustion, isolation, and burnout that are so often a part of caregiving. Enhance your self-esteem and sense of well-being in a positive environment. You do not need a background in art or even the ability to draw a straight line to benefit from the class.

Mondays, November 6, 13, 20, 27, 2006
9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Redwood Caregiver Resource Center

TeleCaregiving Workshop Series Coming in November!

Telephone workshops are an easy way to learn practical tips and caregiving tools and enjoy the company of other caregivers without ever having to leave the comfort or convenience of your home or office. Registration is going on now until October 31. Make yourself comfortable and join us to learn practical skills and caregiving tools in these free telephone workshops.

  • Understanding and Treating Difficult Dementia Behaviors and How to Talk About It With Your Physician
    Wednesday, November 1, 2006
    11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
  • How Do You Know If You Have A Memory Problem?
    Wednesday, November 8, 2006
    11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
  • Understanding Stroke and Vascular Dementia: An Update on Research and Treatment
    Wednesday, November 15, 2006
    11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.

Register online today!
California Caregiver Resource Centers

The Holidays Can Be Joyful

For most families, holidays are filled with opportunities for togetherness, sharing, laughter and memories. But holidays also can be filled with stress, disappointment, and sadness. If you are feeling guilty, angry, frustrated or trapped before, during, or after the holiday celebrations, it may help to know that those feelings are normal and you are not alone.

Thursday, November 9, 2006
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Del Oro Caregiver Resource Center

Managing the Medi-Cal Maze

Are you confused about Medi-Cal? Bring your questions and join us for a free workshop, presented by Attorney Susan Townsend, directing attorney for the Yuba-Sutter Legal Center for Seniors. You'll learn guidelines for Medi-Cal eligibility, exempt and non-exempt assets, "look-back periods" and "share of cost", applying for Medi-Cal, and other important information.

Tuesday, November 14, 2006
10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Del Oro Caregiver Resource Center

Medi-Cal Planning for Long Term Care (Legal Workshop)

Are you concerned about your legal affairs and/or those of your loved one? Get current information before a crisis hits. At this workshop, an elder law attorney will discuss Medi-Cal planning (placement in a skilled nursing facility), durable powers of attorney, advance directives, estate planning, probate versus a living will or trust, and conservatorships. New regulations are coming; join us to find out if you will you be affected.

Monday, November 27, 2006
6:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Orange Caregiver Resource Center

Wednesday, December 6, 2006
10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Orange Caregiver Resource Center

New! Workshops Especially for Northern California Caregivers

Hear experts, learn valuable information, and ask questions during a live video workshop. Workshops will be broadcast to sites (usually a local hospital or clinic) in the following nine California counties: Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Tehama and Trinity.

  • When Your Loved One Loses Control: A Caregiver's Guide to Incontinence
    Wednesday, December 6, 2006
    1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
  • Stay On Your Feet! Fall Prevention, Transfer Tips, and Family Caregiver Back Safety
    Tuesday, December 12, 2006
    1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
  • Who Pays? Unbiased Information about Long-term Care Insurance, Medicare, and Medi-Cal Coverage
    Wednesday, January 10, 2007
    12:00 - 1:15 p.m.

For more information or to register, contact the Rural Caregiver Hotline at 800-445-8106, ext. 430. Or contact Mountain and Del Oro Caregiver Resource Centers.

Healing Practice of Listening

Listening is a primary practice for those who support people who are elderly, ill, injured, traumatized, addicted, or in pain. It is also fundamental to your own inner work and ongoing well-being. This three-hour workshop explores the central importance of listening in the process of emotional healing.

Friday, December 15, 2006
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Del Oro Caregiver Resource Center?)

To subscribe or unsubscribe to California Caregiver, please visit www.californiacrc.org/californiacrc/jsp/newsletter/registration.jsp