Senior Voice -

The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following peer support meetings in October. This month’s focus is on hospice and palliative care, with presenters from Hospice of the Central Peninsula.

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

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

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

Nov. 16, Caregiver support meeting at Anchor Point Senior Center, hosted by Paula Koch, 3 p.m.

Nov. 29, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m. Topic: “Five Wishes” advance directives, presented by Hospice of the Central Peninsula

Support meetings allow you to 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 Shelley or Judy at (907) 262-1280.

The Homer Family Caregiver meetings take place on the second and fourth Thursday of each month (Nov. 10 and 24) at Homer Senior Center, 2 to 3:30 p.m. Hosted by Pam Hooker. Call for more information, 235-4555.

Southeast

The Senior and Caregiver Resource Center at Southeast Senior Services in Juneau offers a call-in support group for residents of Southeast Alaska. The meeting time is the second Thursday of each month (Nov. 10) at noon. Call for more information, toll free 866-746-6177.

The Ketchikan Family Caregiver Support Group meets the second Friday of each month (Nov. 11), upstairs at the Ketchikan Senior Center at noon.

The Sitka Family Caregiver Support Group meets the third Wednesday of each month (Nov. 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 month is National Family Caregivers month, with the chosen theme of “Take Care to Give Care.”

As a family caregiver, it is imperative that you keep yourself healthy, and in addition to everything you have to do you should protect yourself from the flu by getting a flu shot. Many folks do not like to get flu shots and some believe that the flu thot will give you the flu. That is simply not true, the influenza vaccine is made from flu viruses that have been inactivated. Once they are inactive they cannot affect you.

The statistics show that 70 percent to 90 percent of folks age 65 and younger that get the flu shot don’t get the flu.

As part of your commitment to “Take Care to Give Care,” get your flu shot. You will be glad to be protected.

Another important thing for you to do is to attend a support group in your area. This is one place for you to be yourself and talk with other folks who have a common ground. As a caregiver you help others “Take Care to Give Care”.

– Judy Warren, Kenai Peninsula National Family Caregiver Support Program