Senior Voice -

The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following peer support meetings in December. This month’s focus 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, hosted by Paula Koch, 3 p.m.

Dec. 29, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m.

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 (Dec. 8 and 22) 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 (Dec. 8) at noon. Call for more information, toll free 866-746-6177.

The Ketchikan Family Caregiver Support Group meets the second Friday of each month (Dec. 9), upstairs at the Ketchikan Senior Center at noon.

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

As the holiday season advances and we are inundated with advertisements and constant reminders, it is really important that your “fearless caregiver” role kicks in. When you prepare your Christmas list, put yourself at the top of that list with the words, “Take Care to Give Care.” Include for yourself the gifts of respite; laughing; a hot shower; eating cookies; going for a walk; and spending time with close friends. It is important to remember to take life one day at a time during this busy season. It will help keep things in perspective and for you to make good choices in your caregiving role. To all of you from the Family Caregiver Support Program, give yourself the best Christmas gift, that of respect for yourself and for what you do as a fearless caregiver.

– Judy Warren, Kenai Peninsula National Family Caregiver Support Program