The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the
following peer support meetings in December. This month’s meetings will focus on fall prevention.
Dec. 2, Caregiver support meeting at Sterling Senior Center, 1 p.m.
Dec. 9, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m.
Dec. 11, Caregiver support meeting at Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program in the Blazy Mall, 5 p.m.
Dec. 16, Caregiver support meeting at Kenai Senior Center, 1 p.m.
Dec. 30, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m.
Please join and share your experiences as a caregiver, or support someone who is a caregiver. If you are helping a family member of friend by being a caregiver, learn what kind of help is available. There is no charge for these services and everyone is invited to attend.
For more information, call (907) 262-1280.
The Homer Family Caregiver meetings take place on the second and fourth Thursday of each month (Dec. 11; no meeting Dec. 25) at Homer Senior Center, 2 to 3:30 p.m. Call for more information, 235-4556.
Southeast
The Juneau Family Caregiver Support Group meets the second Wednesday of each month (Dec. 10) 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 (Dec. 12), upstairs at the Ketchikan Senior Center at noon.
The Sitka Family Caregiver Support Group meets the third Wednesday of each month (Dec. 17). 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
“We Can Do This” is a mantra a caregiver started using when her husband had a stroke. Through vocal affirmation she helped her husband with recovery of the damage inflicted by the stroke and assisted him through this constant reminder. This example of encouragement and positive attitude makes this individual a fearless caregiver.
There is so much to learn from others when you face a crisis like stroke, dementia or any of the many illnesses that affect people. How you choose to deal with crisis in your life and the many challenges you face makes all the difference in the outcome for you as a caregiver.
A good support system is necessary to help you through the process. This is where the National Family Caregiver Support Program can help you. Support group meetings can be a tremendous asset in your role as a caregiver.
Contact your local NFCSP program in your area for a schedule and plan to join in the mantra of “We Can Do This”.
– Judy Warren, Kenai Peninsula National Family Caregiver Support Program
