The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following meetings and trainings in March. The caregiver training topic this month is “Eat Well to Feel Well and the Mayo Clinic Mediterranean Diet.”

March 4, Caregiver training at Sterling Senior Center, 1 p.m.

March 11, Caregiver training at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m.

March 17, Caregiver training at Kenai Senior Center, 1 p.m.

March 25, Peer Support Meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m.

There is no charge for these services and everyone is invited to attend. Training sessions provide 2 hours of Continuing Education Units for people with CNAs. For more information, call (907) 262-1280.

Southeast

  The Juneau Family Caregiver Support Group meets the second Wednesday of each month (March 12) 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 (March 14), upstairs at the Ketchikan Senior Center at noon.

The Sitka Family Caregiver Support Group meets the third Wednesday of each month (March 19). 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

Does caregiving actually cause stress? New research says no, the real source lies within the person, not the situation. This is called “Caregiver Stress Syndrome.” Risk factors include: a history of depression; your family avoided stressful situations; you lack the resources to help you cope with stress.

The bottom line is if you’re feeling stress, you’re feeling it, it’s not anybody’s fault. The question is, what can you do about it? If you are used to putting others first in your life, how can you change to not putting yourself last?

The answer is to make the connection. Your mind and body are connected – when you experience stress it causes physiological changes and every organ in the body is affected. This is not good for the body and as a result many caregivers often die before their care recipient. Make the connection between your well-being and the ability to provide care. Once you do that you can make your own healthcare a priority.

There are many ways for caregivers to get help and the National Family Caregiver Support Program has made this their mission by providing information; assistance in gaining access to services; counseling; support groups; training and respite services. Contact a National Family Caregiver Support Program in your area.

– Judy Warren, Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program