Free training and support for family caregivers

The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following peer support meetings in November. This month’s topic is “Caregiver Wellness.”

Nov. 3, Caregiver support meeting at Sterling Senior Center, 1 p.m.

Nov. 10, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m..

Nov. 17, Caregiver support meeting at Kenai Senior Center, 1 p.m.

Nov. 17, Caregiver support meeting at Anchor Point Senior Center, 3 p.m.

Nov. 24, 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 (Nov. 12; fourth Thursday is cancelled this month) 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 (Nov. 3) 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 (Nov. 11) 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 (Nov. 13), upstairs at the Ketchikan Senior Center at noon.

The Sitka Family Caregiver Support Group meets the third Wednesday of each month (Nov. 18). 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, 463-6198

Ketchikan, 225-8080

Kodiak, 486-6181

Nome, 443-4507

Palmer/Wasilla, 746-3413

Sitka, 747-4600

Family caregiver tip of the month

Are you happy in your work? Happiness is a choice and it depends on your overall outlook on life and how you view what you are doing.

Happiness means different things to different people depending on whether you view life as an optimist, realist or pessimist. Optimists tend to be gullible and naïve and easily persuaded; pessimists, while often looked at as a negative person, actually scrutinize things before they accept them; and realists live “one day at a time” and make the most out of that day.

When you are a caregiver you are programmed to face daily challenges and how you face those challenges becomes a way of life.

• Choose to be happy by assessing your daily routine. • Explore what happiness means to you

• Prioritize things that give you joy and pleasure

• Focus on things you have control of and accept what you cannot

• Be grateful for each day

• Give encouragement to at least two people daily and choose to be happy just for today.

How you handle your caregiving role can be your choice.

– Judy Warren, Kenai Peninsula National Family Caregiver Support Program