The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following peer support meetings in September. This month’s meetings will highlight tips for Alzheimer’s family caregivers, featuring a DVD presentation by Dr. Peter V. Robbins, in support of World Alzheimer’s Month.
Sept. 5, Caregiver support meeting at Sterling Senior Center, 1 p.m.
Sept. 12, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m.
Sept. 19, Caregiver support meeting at Kenai Senior Center,1 p.m.
Sept. 20, Caregiver support meeting at Anchor Point Senior Center, hosted by Paula Koch, 3 p.m.
Sept. 26, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m.
Support meetings allow you to 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 Sharon or Judy at (907) 262-1280.
The Homer Family Caregiver meetings take place on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month (Sept. 14 and 28) at Homer Senior Center, 2 to 3:30 p.m. Hosted by Pam Hooker. Call for more information, 235-4555.
Southeast
The Senior and Caregiver Resource Center at Southeast Senior Services in Juneau offers a call-in support group for residents of Southeast Alaska. The meeting time is the second Thursday of each month (Sept. 14) at noon. Call for more information, toll free 866-746-6177.
The Ketchikan Family Caregiver Support Group meets the second Friday of each month (Sept. 8), upstairs at the Ketchikan Senior Center at noon.
The Sitka Family Caregiver Support Group meets the third Wednesday of each month (Sept. 20). 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
As a caregiver, keeping yourself healthy needs to be a priority. Did you know that September is “Healthy Aging Month”? Healthy Aging month started more than 20 years ago as an annual health observance to focus national attention on positive aspects of growing older. It was targeted to adults age 45 and older to improve their physical, mental, social and financial well-being.
Healthy aging can mean changing your thinking about learning ways to keep yourself healthy by looking at your behaviors and learning what to improve. Here are some suggestions:
Eat the right foods for energy. One fruit or veggie, a whole grain, lean protein and a plant based fat food like nuts, avocado can do the trick.
Be positive. Catch yourself when you complain and stop. Reverse your thinking and change to something positive. Avoid negative thinkers.
Walk tall, stand tall. You can look younger by standing straight, holding your stomach in shoulders back and chin up, try walking like a model.
Smile often. Look at your oral health for your overall wellbeing. See your dentist regularly.
Mix and mingle. Take a class, volunteer, invite a friend to lunch or coffee. Join a group of interest.
Stay active. Make your daily goal to walk 10,000 steps a day. This can also help you lose weight by increasing to 15,000 steps.
Get an annual checkup. Don’t speculate or worry about ailments, get your concerns checked annually.
Here’s to your continuing good health!
- Judy Warren, Kenai Peninsula National Family Caregiver Support Program
