PRESS & NEWS
Coping with Dementia Care During the Coronavirus Pandemic – UCSF Webinars: April 2020
The University of California, San Francisco’s (UCSF) Memory and Aging Center (MAC) has developed a Family Caregiver Webinar Series to help caregivers cope during the COVID-19 pandemic. These webinars are intended to provide education and support to family caregivers impacted by the coronavirus. The webinars are offered weekly on Wednesdays in April from noon to 1 p.m….
The University of California, San Francisco’s (UCSF) Memory and Aging Center (MAC) has developed a Family Caregiver Webinar Series to help caregivers cope during the COVID-19 pandemic. These webinars are intended to provide education and support to family caregivers impacted by the coronavirus.
The webinars are offered weekly on Wednesdays in April from noon to 1 p.m. (PDT) via Zoom. They are facilitated by members of the MAC Behavior Task Force in partnership with family caregivers. The format is a half-hour presentation followed by a Q&A session where questions from participants are answered. Sessions will be recorded and made available on the MAC COVID-19 page and YouTube channel under the Patient Care and Caregiving playlist, as well as here on this page.
There is also a Family Caregiver Webinar Series for Chinese Speakers. You can find this schedule at the bottom of the UCSF COVID-19 webpage.
The seminar schedule is listed below with its link to register. After each presentation, the video and resources will be added.
HAVING A BACK-UP PLAN IN PLACE - WHAT IF YOU GET SICK? - APRIL 1, 2020
IN-HOME ACTIVITIES WHILE SHELTERING IN PLACE - APRIL 8, 2020
FINDING RESOURCES (FOOD, MEDICATION, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, TOILET PAPER, AND INCONTINENCE SUPPLIES) - APRIL 15, 2020
STAYING CONNECTED WHEN YOU HAVE TO STAY APART - APRIL 22, 2020
PROMOTING CAREGIVER HEALTH AND WELL-BEING WHILE SHELTERING IN PLACE - APRIL 29, 2020
Family Caregiver Webinar presented by Julio Rojas, M.D., Ph.D., and Jennifer Merrilees, RN, Ph.D., from the UCSF Memory and Aging Center.
HAVING A BACK-UP PLAN IN PLACE - WHAT IF YOU GET SICK? - APRIL 1, 2020
Family Caregiver Webinar presented by Jennifer Merrilees, RN, Ph.D., and Nhật Minh Bùi, RN, MSN, AGNP-C from the UCSF Memory and Aging Center.
WEBINAR SUMMARY
A back-up plan is a way to be prepared for meeting your loved one’s needs in the event you, the caregiver, gets sick and cannot manage caregiving responsibilities. The major considerations include WHO could help and WHAT is needed for a smooth transition in care.
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Make a list of people who can provide assistance and that they are aware they are part of your back-up plan
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Consider community resources that may provide the help that you need like Alzheimer’s Association Hotline 1-800-272-3900
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Gather important documents and resources like insurance card, healthcare provider contacts and list of medications
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Complete a care plan to documenting essential needs, preferences and caregiving strategies
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Locate your advance directive and if you don’t have one, start the discussion on advance care planning or complete advance care directive
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Stay in contact with your healthcare provider and your loved one’s healthcare provider
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Stay up to date on COVID-19 information
WEBINAR RESOURCES
Creating a Backup Plan (PDF) — This document can be read online or printed out. It includes additional information and links for the following:
Information and support
- The Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900
Finding help
- Volunteer help
- Help from your local Caregiver Resource Center (in California)
- Paid help through a home care agency or memory care facility
Information about Advance Directives
- The Conversation Project
- Prepare For Your Care: Get a form here
- Areas on Aging
- Consumer Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR)
Resources for staying informed
- Centers for Disease Control
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- UCSF Memory and Aging Center
- UCSF Memory and Aging Center COVID-19 page
Personal Wellness Plan (PDF) — This document can be read online or printed out.
IN-HOME ACTIVITIES WHILE SHELTERING IN PLACE - APRIL 8, 2020
Family Caregiver Webinar presented by Sarah Dulaney, RN, CNS, from the UCSF Memory and Aging Center, and Pam Roberts, a family caregiver.
WEBINAR SUMMARY
Key Points:
- Do your best, be gentle with yourself, prioritize connecting with others
- Consider activities that might be rewarding, relaxing, distracting, refreshing, and connecting
- Observe, adapt, and simplify when helping with daily care
- Explore behavior symptoms as communication
WEBINAR RESOURCES
In-Home Activities While Sheltering in Place (PDF) — This document can be read online or printed out. It includes additional information and links for the following:
- Videos on Montessori and household activities for people with dementia
- Greater Good in Action practices
- TimeSlips creative storytelling
- Free craft ideas
- Sit and Be Fit
- NIA Go4Life Exercise
- Free facts for DIY trivia
- Live animal cameras
- Mindful Music Moments with the Cleveland Orchestra
- Tour museum collections
- Sing King Karaoke
FINDING RESOURCES (FOOD, MEDICATION, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, TOILET PAPER, AND INCONTINENCE SUPPLIES) - APRIL 15, 2020
Family Caregiver Webinar presented by Amanda Li, LCSW, and Jennifer Merrilees, RN, Ph.D., from the UCSF Memory and Aging Center.
WEBINAR SUMMARY
Finding Resources (PDF)* — This document can be read online or printed out. It includes additional information and links for each of these categories:
- Food
- Supplies
- Medication
- Finances
- Support
*Please note that this is not an exhaustive list – resources change by day and by location.
WEBINAR RESOURCES
Addressing Social Needs During Pandemic (PDF) — This document can be read online or printed out. It includes information and links for each of these categories:
- Health Insurance Coverage/Copays
- Housing
- Loans
- Utilities
- Employment/Income Concerns
- Food Access
- Fraud
- Discrimination
- Older Adults
- Tax Resources
- Additional Resources
STAYING CONNECTED WHEN YOU HAVE TO STAY APART - APRIL 22, 2020
Family Caregiver Webinar presented by Sarah Dulaney, RN, CNS, from the UCSF Memory and Aging Center, and Matt Ong, a family caregiver.
WEBINAR SUMMARY
Staying Connected When You Have to Stay Apart presentation slides (PDF)
Internet security tips:
- Use two-factor authentication in addition to passwords
- Update operating system and application software
- Back-up your data or use cloud storage
- Avoid clicking on links in phishing emails
- Consider using a password manager (with two-factor authentication)
- 1password.com
- www.dashlane.com
- www.keepersecurity.com
- www.lastpass.com
Remote technical support options:
- A trusted tech-savvy friend or family member can remote control your computer to provide tech support using one of the following options.
- Senior Surf offers remote technical support for a fee.
- Some colleges and universities offer computer and technology classes online for free or a fee.
Things to consider if you are setting up a computer for someone with cognitive impairment:
- Use a standard login account (not an administrator)
- Consider using an account that will auto-login
- Minimize the amount of installed software
- Enable automatic operating system and application updates
- Install anti-malware software; enable the firewall
- Consider using parental controls and/or OpenDNS to block adult content and other inappropriate websites (gambling, shopping, etc.)
- Consider creating a copy of the hard drive for quick replacement
Using technology for virtual interactions:
- Video calling technology for two-person calls on devices with web cameras
- FaceTime (only available on Apple devices)
- GoogleDuo (built-in on Android and downloadable app for Apple devices)
- Amazon Echo Show (voice-activated or drop-in video calls)
- WhatsApp (downloadable on Android or Apple, commonly used outside the U.S.)
- Skype (downloadable on Android or Apple)
- Zoom
- Google Hangout
- Video calling technology that can be used by people with significant cognitive impairment
- Amazon Echo Show (requires WIFI).
- GrandPad (built-in WIFI and cellular service). This device is designed simply and does not allow open internet access. Can be used for video calls, photos, and games.
- ViewClix smart frame (requires WIFI). Digital frame that can also be set up to automatically accept video calls without answering.
Remote control entertainment on a smart TV:
- Use a smartphone to remotely control Fire Stick TV through an Alexa device
- Download Alexa app to your smartphone
- Register the other person’s Alexa device and Fire Stick on your Alexa app
- Pull up the Alexa app
- Click the center button on the bottom (communication bubble)
- Say “Alexa play… (certain show, music, movie, or channel)…on my fire stick”
- Use Teamviewer to remotely control Android TV
- Use SlingBox to remotely control and simultaneously view streaming content
Tips for video calling with a person with cognitive impairment:
- Optimize your visibility on screen
- Consider lighting, color contrast, and avoid visual distraction in the background
- Consider using an adjustable stand for handheld devices
- Optimize audio
- Use a wired headset and minimize background noise
- If video call will be facilitated by staff, consider what time works best for them
- Focus on connecting with the person, accept that call may be brief
Low tech options for staying connected:
- Send cards, photos or small gifts (preferred snacks, pillow with a photo on it, pop-up book, stuffed animal or robot pet like Pete the Repeat Parrot or Joy for All pet, coloring book, watercolor set, magazine, mp3 music player with headphones)
- Visit through the window of their room or the entrance window if possible
- If there is an outdoor area, visit outside with social distancing (6 feet or more)
- If the person is in a facility, offer support and gratitude to facility staff (thank you note, food treats, masks). It is important to recognize and appreciate the work staff in long-term care facilities are doing.
WEBINAR RESOURCES
PROMOTING CAREGIVER HEALTH AND WELL-BEING WHILE SHELTERING IN PLACE - APRIL 29, 2020
WEBINAR SUMMARY
Exercise
- Use an exercise app — For those of you who have found it difficult to keep up with exercise during this sheltering in place, I’ve found the Peloton app to be very helpful, and it’s now free for 90 days. You do NOT need the bike. If you have a bike membership, you can use the same logon for using the app. They have cardio, boot camp, core, yoga, stretching, and other classes of varying lengths. Some classes are “live,” but most are pre-recorded. They have individual classes and several “boot camp” or training programs. Some classes require little equipment (weights, mat, towel), whereas others do not. You can use the app on smartphones/tablets, computers, or stream to your TV.
- New Home Workouts Come with New Aches and Pains — Many people trying online routines during the coronavirus pandemic are finding it’s not so easy to do them right. Get advice from the experts on improving your form.
- Run in confined spaces
- Be safe while running and biking
- Workout at work - exercises recommended by experts in motion, obesity prevention, and physical fitness
Diet
- Quarantine cuisine
Sleep
- The pandemic is giving people vivid, unusual dreams. Researchers explain why withdrawal from our usual environments — due to social distancing — has left dreamers with a dearth of “inspiration.”
Mental health
- Coronavirus is causing a mental health crisis. Covid-19 patients and those caring for them could be especially at risk for anxiety, depression, and other conditions.
Mental health apps
- I was made aware of some potentially useful wellness and mental health apps available for free to UCSF employees. Some are also available to others in our community. I, for one, plan to use the Sleepio app to help with my insomnia. Please find the list of these apps and other resources here: psych.ucsf.edu/coronavirus/apps
Work
- Work from home guide
- Cognitive engagement and social interaction
- Telecommunication
- FaceTime
- Zoom
- Video synchronizers
- Free books
- Kindle
Caregiver support, resources, and education
- Family Caregiver Alliance: https://www.caregiver.org/
- Alzheimer’s Association: https://alz.org/
- 24/7 Helpline: 800-272-3900
WEBINAR RESOURCES
Self-check Tool for Caregivers (from Care Ecosystem)
Taking Care of Yourself: Tips for Caregivers (from NIH)
You can get more information and complete summaries and resources for the UCSF Family Caregiver Webinar Series for April 2020 by clicking the button below.
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