October schedule, tip of the month
A special all-day “Savvy Caregiver Workshop” will be offered by the Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska this month for caregivers in Soldotna and Homer. The dates and locations are:
Oct. 17, Soldotna Senior Center, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Oct. 22, Homer Senior Center, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
To learn more about the workshops or to register, call 1-800-478-1080.
Training and support meetings
The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the
following meetings and trainings in October:
Oct. 1, Caregiver training at Sterling Senior Center, 1 to 2 p.m., “Medicare Part D” with Lori Engler.
Oct. 8, Peer support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 to 3 p.m.
Oct. 9, Peer support meeting and resource information at Seward Senior Center, 1 p.m.
Oct. 10, Caregiver training at Homer Friendship Center, 2 to 3:30 p.m. Topic: Driving
Oct. 14, Caregiver training at Kenai Senior Center, 1 to 3 p.m. “Stopping Stroke, Limiting the Damage Done.”
Oct. 22, Peer support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 to 3 p.m.
Oct. 24, Caregiver training at Homer Friendship Center, 2 to 3:30 p.m. Topic: Estate planning.
There is no charge for these services and everyone is invited to attend. Training sessions provide 2 hours of Continuing Education Units for people with CNAs. For more information, call (907) 262-1280.
Southeast
The Juneau Family Caregiver Support Group meets the second Wednesday of each month (Oct. 9) in the conference room of KTOO’s studio, 360 Egan Drive, noon to 1:30 p.m.
The Ketchikan Family Caregiver Support Group meets the second Friday of each month (Oct. 11), upstairs at the Ketchikan Senior Center at noon.
The Sitka Family Caregiver Support Group meets the third Wednesday of each month (Oct. 16). For more information, call Brave Heart Volunteers, 747-4600.
Other locations
For information on caregiver support group meetings around the state:
Anchorage, 561-3313
Fairbanks, 452-2277
Homer, 235-2295
Juneau, 463-6164 or 463-6198
Ketchikan, 225-8080
Kodiak, 486-6181
Nome, 443-4507
Palmer/Wasilla, 746-3413
Sitka, 747-4600
Family caregiver tip of the month
For caregivers the change of season may bring extra challenges with holidays and winter ice and snow. Take care of the caregiver by developing a program of guiding principles for yourself. Here are some suggestions in the form of a 12 step program.
1. Acknowledge that you have no power over what has happened to your loved one. You can only control how it affects you.
2. Take care of yourself. You are the caring, nurturing person – let some of it spill over on yourself.
3. Keep life simple. Make time for the really important things on your agenda.
4. Allow others to help. Look to relatives and friends. Check on available respite.
5. Yesterday is history. Live only for today and let tomorrow be.
6. Keep structure in your life. A consistent schedule will help you and your loved one.
7. Keep a sense of humor. When all else fails, humor can bring things back into perspective.
8. Educate yourself about your loved ones illness for better understanding.
9. Enjoy your loved one for who he/she is today, not who they were. Help by accepting who they are at this time.
10. Cultivate other relationships for love and support. Attend Caregiver Support Groups in your area.
11. Give yourself credit for where you are and that you are doing your best.
12. Turn to whatever higher power you may have for strength.
– National Family Caregiver Support Program
