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For residents of the six county San Francisco Bay Area, FCA serves as a point of entry to specialized caregiver services: information, emotional support, consultation on care planning, links to community programs, legal/financial consultation, respite services, counseling, publications and educational programs. All services are free or low cost.

Information and Referral

• Information about a broad range of caregiving issues, including care for someone with dementia, and strategies to take better care of yourself.
• More than 60 Fact Sheets, newsletters and other publications on health conditions, care planning, legal issues and other important topics. A number of our publications are available in Spanish and Chinese.
• Referral to community programs, such as daycare, support groups, homecare, respite and more.

Free Family Consultation

• In-home assessment of caregiver and care receiver’s needs, including a survey of functional and health status as well as depression screening.
• Information about our respite, legal and education and counseling.
• FCA follows caregivers as long as needed—we reassess each client every six months.

Respite Options

• Short-Term Respite Break Grant. Depending on fund availability, caregivers may be eligible for a stipend of up to $800. Caregivers can use the money to hire in-home help, use a homecare provider, adult day care or temporarily place a loved one in a facility.
• Long Term Respite. A caregiver may receive up to $3600/yr on a one time basis for repite care. There is a 2-3 year waiting list.
• Camp for Caring. Care recipients attend our “camp” while caregivers enjoy a 48-hour break at home or away. Camps are offered four times a year, and an RN is on duty at all times. There is a sliding scale fee and some scholarships are available.
• Caregiver Retreat. A two-day journey of self-discovery designed to inspire and rejuvenate. If needed, FCA covers the cost of in-home or facility care for care receiver. The Retreat is offered twice annually. There is a sliding scale fee and some scholarships are available.

Legal/Financial Consultation

• Free consultation with a local attorney experienced in estate and financial matters, conservatorships and powers of attorney.

Education and Support

• Workshops and classes are held throughout the Bay Area on a number of diverse caregiving topics, including stress management, care planning, practical caregiving skills and more.
• Support Groups: Caregivers can share ideas, resources and concerns in a number of FCA-sponsored in-person or online support groups, including a general caregiver support group, a Spanish dementia support group, a group for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) caregivers in San Francisco, and a Huntington’s disease/Movement disorder support group. Four online support groups are Link2Care, and LGBT online support group, HD, and website. Call FCA or click on the "Groups" tab for information.
• Short-term counseling (six to eight sessions with a therapist skilled at working with caregivers) is available.

Online Services

• Find FCA’s publications, newsletters, online support groups and more on our award-winning website.
• Link2Care. Secure password-protected dementia care website offering caregiver discussion group, free access to health and legal experts, journal with guided exercises, and care related articles.
• Caregiving Policy Digest, e-newsletter available at www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/content_node.jsp?nodeid=467.
• California Caregiver. Monthly e-newsletter designed especially for families and caregiver in California

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