Senior Voice -

The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following peer support meetings in March. This month’s focus is caregiver training, featuring part two of a training DVD presentation with Teepa Snow. The DVD is titled “It’s All In Your Approach.” Training covers how a person with dementia perceives his/her environment and how to properly adapt one’s own behavior to increase communication and the care partner’s quality of life.

March 7, Caregiver support meeting at Sterling Senior Center, 1 p.m.

March 14, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m.

March 15, Caregiver support meeting at Anchor Point Senior Center, hosted by Paula Koch, 3 p.m.

March 21, Caregiver support meeting at Kenai Senior Center,1 p.m.

March 28, 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 Sharon or Judy at (907) 262-1280.

The Homer Family Caregiver meetings take place on the second and fourth Thursday of each month (March 9 and 23) 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 (March 9) at noon. Call for more information, toll free 866-746-6177.

The Ketchikan Family Caregiver Support Group meets the second Friday of each month (March 10), upstairs at the Ketchikan Senior Center at noon.

The Sitka Family Caregiver Support Group meets the third Wednesday of each month (March 15). 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

Spring is in the air and we seem to be having our typical Alaskan thaw with freezing nights and warmer days. The flu seems to be still in the air as well, so please protect yourself and your loved ones by getting that flu shot if you have not already done so. Other things you also need to do: wash hands with soap and water before eating and after coughing and sneezing or blowing your nose; if you feel symptoms coming on, drink lots of water and get lots of rest; stay home if you get the flu and see your doctor if symptoms get worse. Stay as healthy as you can and enjoy the Alaska spring.

– Judy Warren, Kenai Peninsula National Family Caregiver Support Program