The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following peer support meetings and trainings in July. This month’s theme is Nation UV Safety Awareness Month, with a handout on the risks of sun damage provided at each caregiver support meeting. Please join and share your experience as a caregiver or to support someone who is a caregiver.

July 1, Caregiver support meeting at Sterling Senior Center, 1 p.m.

July 8, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m.

July 15, Caregiver support meeting at Kenai Senior Center, 1 p.m.

July 29, 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. There is no charge for these services and everyone is invited to attend.

For more information, call (907) 262-1280.

Southeast

 The Juneau Family Caregiver Support Group meets the second Wednesday of each month (July 9) 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 11), upstairs at the Ketchikan Senior Center at noon.

The Sitka Family Caregiver Support Group meets the third Wednesday of each month (July 16). 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

Are you planning a vacation this summer? Or perhaps you just need a short overnight stay and are planning to take the person you are caring for along. When you travel with a person with Alzheimer’s or dementia it requires advance planning. Safety should be your number one consideration. Here are a couple of hints to make your trip enjoyable.

• Never leave your loved one alone, because of possible wandering in an unfamiliar environment.

• When staying in a hotel or motel, be sure to secure the room door.

• Try to maintain a daily routine to avoid confusion; get up and go to bed at the same time each day, keep regular mealtimes and have comfort items such as pillows, snacks and water available.

With advance planning a trip can not only be enjoyable but it may benefit both you and your loved one.

– Judy Warren, Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program