The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following meetings and trainings in April, which is National Stress Awareness Month. A 60 minute video, “Humor Your Stress,” will be shown and discussed at these meetings. Please join and share your experience as a caregiver or to support someone who is a caregiver.
April 1, peer support meeting at Sterling Senior Center, 1 p.m.
April 8, peer support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m.
April 15, peer support meeting at Kenai Senior Center, 1 p.m.
April 22, peer support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m.
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 (April 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 (April 11), upstairs at the Ketchikan Senior Center at noon.
The Sitka Family Caregiver Support Group meets the third Wednesday of each month (April 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
“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.”
– Corrie ten Boom
We all know that worry is a waste of time but do you have the tools in your toolbox to prevent this? Here a few things you can do that may help:
1. Live one day at a time. The past is history, tomorrow may not come.
2. Do a gratitude list, think of one thing each day to be grateful for.
3. Try some positive self talk. “Easy does it,” and “first things first” help turn your day into a positive one.
4. Let yourself feel your emotions without guilt.
5. Release your anger by going for a walk, writing in a journal or beating up on a pillow. Be a proactive caregiver against worry.
– Judy Warren, Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program
