Free training and support for family caregivers in December

The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following peer support meetings in December. This month’s topic is “How to Measure Vital Signs.”

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

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

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

Dec. 15, Caregiver support meeting at Anchor Point Senior Center, 3 p.m.

Dec. 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. 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 (Dec. 10 and 24) 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 (Dec. 1) 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 (Dec. 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 (Dec. 11), upstairs at the Ketchikan Senior Center at noon.

The Sitka Family Caregiver Support Group meets the third Wednesday of each month (Dec. 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, 235-4555

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

This past November we celebrated National Family Caregivers Month. We know that caregivers are special people and make a difference in the lives of the people they care for. Your turn to care can come when least expected and with it come so many things to figure out and deal with.

The purpose of the National Family Caregiver Support Program is to help you when it is “your turn to care.” At this holiday time of the year we salute you and want to wish all caregivers everywhere a Christmas filled with friends, family and happiness followed by a New Year deserving of the person you are, every day making a difference in someone’s life.

– Judy Warren, Kenai Peninsula National Family Caregiver Support Program