The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following peer support meetings in June. This month’s focus is World Elder Abuse Awareness Month. It is not a celebratory occasion, but rather a day to talk about preventing, identifying and responding to elder abuse and financial exploitation.
June 5, Caregiver support meeting at Sterling Senior Center, 1 p.m.
June 12, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m.
June 19, Caregiver support meeting at Kenai Senior Center, 1 p.m.
June 26, open house and workshop at Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program office in Soldotna, Blazy Mall, Suite #209, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Check out the lending library, durable goods loan closet, ask questions or just visit over a cup of coffee. Elder law workshop presented by attorney Taylor Murphy, Alaska Legal Services, 11 a.m. to 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 (June 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. Call-in meeting times this month are Thursday, June 7 and 21, noon to 1 p.m. Also, a caregiver “Meet and Greet” will be held June 17 at The Bridge, 1803 Glacier Hwy., 4:30 to 6 p.m. Call for more information, toll free 866-746-6177.
The Ketchikan Family Caregiver Support Group meets the second Friday of each month (June 8), upstairs at the Ketchikan-Saxman Senior Center, 2 to 3 p.m.
The Sitka Family Caregiver Support Group meets the fourth Friday of each month (June 22). 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
Caregivers have rights, too, and I urge all caregivers to read this, practice it and abide by it for an enjoyable Alaska summer.
Caregiver Bill of Rights
I have the right to:
Take care of myself. This is not an act of selfishness. Meeting my own needs will help me take better care of my loved one.
To seek help from others. Even though my loved ones may object to accepting outside help. I recognize the limits of my own endurance and strength.
To maintain my own interests by nurturing the facets of my own life that do not include the person I care for.
To have negative feelings, get angry, be depressed and express other difficult feelings.
To not be manipulated. I will reject any attempts by my loved one to guilt or shame me into doing things.
To receive consideration, affection, forgiveness and acceptance for what I do from my loved one as long as I offer theirs in return.
To take pride in what I am accomplishing and to applaud the courage it has sometimes taken to meet the needs of my loved one.
To protect my individuality and my right to make a life for myself that will sustain me in the time when my relative no longer needs my help.
To expect and demand that as new strides are made in finding resources to aid physically and mentally impaired persons in our country, similar strides will be made toward aiding and supporting caregivers.
- Judy Warren, Kenai Peninsula National Family Caregiver Support program
