Senior Voice -

The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following peer support meetings in September. This month’s theme is “Healthy Aging Awareness Month”.

Sept. 2, Caregiver support meeting at Sterling Senior Center, 1 p.m.

Sept. 9, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m.

Sept. 16, Caregiver support meeting at Kenai Senior Center, 1 p.m.

Sept. 30, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m. Enjoy “Teatime with Judy”.

Please join and 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 (907) 262-1280.

The Homer Family Caregiver meetings take place on the second and fourth Thursday of each month (Sept. 11 and 25) at Homer Senior Center, 2 to 3:30 p.m. Call for more information, 235-4556.

Southeast

 The Juneau Family Caregiver Support Group meets the second Wednesday of each month (Sept. 10) 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 (Sept. 12), upstairs at the Ketchikan Senior Center at noon.

The Sitka Family Caregiver Support Group meets the third Wednesday of each month (Sept. 17). 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, 235-4556

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

This month is Senior Awareness Month and the Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program is targeting Healthy Aging for senior awareness.

Being healthy should be a holistic approach involving your mind, body and spirit. As a caregiver your main focus is generally the person you care for. Turn the focus on yourself and think about how you take care of you. Do you get enough sleep? Are you drinking enough water, taking your own medications on time and as directed? Do you even have a doctor? How about someone that can relieve you from time to time from your caregiving role? Is the rest of the family aware of the role you are providing? Do you attend support meetings or have a friend in whom you can confide?

These are just some of the questions you need to ask yourself. A lot of caregivers don’t look at how the role of caregiving affects them physically, mentally and spiritually. Do yourself a favor and get connected with a National Family Caregiver Support Program in your area. This program can help you with your important caregiving role. The caregiver is our main focus and we want to help keep you healthy.

– Judy Warren, Kenai Peninsula National Family Caregiver Support Program