The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following peer support meetings in June. This month’s topic is “Firearms and Dementia.”
July 7, Caregiver support meeting at Sterling Senior Center, 1 p.m.
July 14, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m.
July 21, Caregiver support meeting at Kenai Senior Center, 1 p.m.
July 28, 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 (July 9 and 23) at Homer Senior Center, 2 to 3:30 p.m. Call for more information, 235-4555.
Southeast
The Juneau Family Caregiver Support Group meets the second Wednesday of each month (July 8) 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 (July 10), upstairs at the Ketchikan Senior Center at noon.
The Sitka Family Caregiver Support Group meets the third Wednesday of each month (July 15). 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, 235-4555
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
With our longest day behind us we are officially into our summer months. It is predicted that Alaska will have a warmer summer than normal. We already have several forest fires in our great state and with the dry spell and low humidity we are experiencing the potential for more fires is a real possibility. As a caregiver, some advance planning would be prudent. Prepare an emergency plan that gives information on: shelter (home or away from); food and water essentials to have on hand (if in a shelter, most likely provided); medications (have at least one week’s worth on hand); communications (get information on shelters and available assistance in your area in case of evacuation); and vital records and documents (have in a handy carryall).
By doing some advance planning and knowing you are prepared it can give you peace of mind. Check with your local disaster office for more information and help with planning.
– Judy Warren, Kenai Peninsula National Family Caregiver Support Program
