The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following peer support meetings in January. This month’s focus is care coordinator services, with presentations by Annett Brookshire, a certified care coordinator since 2008. She will share her experience of growing from a caregiver into care coordinator.

Jan. 3, Caregiver support meeting at Sterling Senior Center, with Annett Brookshire,1 p.m.

Jan. 10, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, with Annett Brookshire, 1 p.m.

Jan. 17, Caregiver support meeting at Kenai Senior Center, with Annett Brookshire,1 p.m.

Jan. 18, Caregiver support meeting at Anchor Point Senior Center, hosted by Paula Koch, 3 p.m.

Jan. 31, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, with Annett Brookshire, 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 Shelley or Judy at (907) 262-1280.

The Homer Family Caregiver meetings take place on the second and fourth Thursday of each month (Jan. 12 and 26) 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 (Jan. 12) at noon. Call for more information, toll free 866-746-6177.

The Ketchikan Family Caregiver Support Group meets the second Friday of each month (Jan. 13), upstairs at the Ketchikan Senior Center at noon.

The Sitka Family Caregiver Support Group meets the third Wednesday of each month (Jan. 18). 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

New Year Resolutions have been around for thousands of years, however not in the same way that we use New Year Resolutions today. Here is a look back at history and the development of these resolutions.

The Babylonians were the first to have them as a promise to their god to pay their debts. The Romans had a similar practice in ancient Rome when Julius Caesar established January 1 as the beginning of the New Year (circa 46 BC). They, too, believed that their two-faced god looked back at the previous year and ahead into the future and sacrifices were offered and promises made for good conduct for the coming year.

In 1740 John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, created the Covenant Renewal Service for the New Year for early Christians. In our modern day, this practice has become mostly secular and resolutions are usually made to oneself that focus on self-improvement.

Research shows that 45 percent of Americans usually make New Year’s resolutions, however only 8 percent become successful.

As a family caregiver, be one of the 8 percent successful by resolving to use the resources available to you through the National Family Caregiver Support Program. Call us, we are here to help you. Happy New Year!

– Judy Warren, Kenai Peninsula National Family Caregiver Support Program