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

Oct. 7, Caregiver support meeting at Sterling Senior Center, 1 p.m.

Oct. 14, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m.

Oct. 16, Caregiver support meeting at Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program in the Blazy Mall, 5 p.m.

Oct. 21, Caregiver support meeting at Kenai Senior Center, 1 p.m.

Oct. 28, 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. 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 (Oct. 9 and 23) 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 (Oct. 8) 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 (Oct. 10), upstairs at the Ketchikan Senior Center at noon.

The Sitka Family Caregiver Support Group meets the third Wednesday of each month (Oct. 15). 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

When you become a full time caregiver, all of the duties and things that you have to take care of can be overwhelming. Keeping yourself positive with everything you have to handle requires work, but a few tools in place can make your job easier:

• take time to look at good things that have happened and your role in the process

• pick friends that have positive attitudes and absorb what they do

• believe in yourself and don’t use negative language.

Know your needs, limits

Setting limits on caregiving is important. Give some serious thought to your needs and decide what you can do and what you cannot do. Once you have made your limits assessment, it is time to look at what help is available for you and your loved one. Attending support group meetings is one way to network and find out what works for others.

Call your local National Family Caregiver Support Program for assistance. Let us help you.

Judy Warren, Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program