The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following peer support meetings in October. This month’s topic is “Proper Body Mechanics and Back Safety.”

Oct. 6, Caregiver support meeting at Sterling Senior Center, 1 p.m.

Oct. 13, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m.

Oct. 15, Caregiver support meeting at Caregiver Support Program in the Blazy Mall in Soldotna, 5 p.m.

Oct. 20, Caregiver support meeting at Kenai Senior Center, 1 p.m.

Oct. 20, Caregiver support meeting at Anchor Point Senior Center, 3 p.m.

Oct. 27, 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. 8 and 22) at Homer Senior Center, 2 to 3:30 p.m. Call for more information, 235-4555.

Fairbanks

Fairbanks Resource Agency hosts a free information exchange for caregivers on the first Tuesday of each month (Oct. 6) in its main office library, 805 Airport Way, from 1 to 3 p.m. Refreshments and door prizes provided. Call Karen Kreiser for information, 451-0389

Southeast

The Juneau Family Caregiver Support Group meets the second Wednesday of each month (Oct. 14) 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. 9), upstairs at the Ketchikan Senior Center at noon.

The Sitka Family Caregiver Support Group meets the third Wednesday of each month (Oct. 21). 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

The Alzheimer’s Association used to do a Memory Walk observance once a year, typically in October. If you are a caregiver of a loved one with Alzheimer’s, you have a daily memory walk. Your challenge is to find the memories that work and to cherish the ones that are no longer there for your loved one.

Understanding your loved ones’ challenges can help you in the challenges you face as their caregiver. Caregiving is such an important role and unless you take care of the caregiver it can have some unintended consequences.

The goal of the National Family Caregiver Support Program is to take care of the caregiver. Find out more by contacting the NFCSP closest to you and attend support meetings in your community.

– Judy Warren, Kenai Peninsula National Family Caregiver Support Program