Senior Voice -

The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following peer support meetings in December. This month’s training focus is “Ten Keys to Creating Healthy Holidays”. Bring a snack to share and canned or boxed goods to give to the food bank.

Dec. 4, Caregiver support meeting and Christmas Tea at Sterling Senior Center, 1 p.m.

Dec. 11, Caregiver support meeting and Christmas Tea at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m.

Dec. 18, Caregiver support meeting and Christmas Tea at Kenai 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 Thursdays of each month (Dec. 13 and 20) 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. Call for more information, toll free 866-746-6177.

The Ketchikan Family Caregiver Support Group meets the second Friday of each month (Dec. 14), upstairs at the Ketchikan-Saxman Senior Center, 2 to 3 p.m.

The Sitka Family Caregiver Support Group meets the fourth Friday of each month (Dec. 28). 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 Dec. 31 brings in a new year, many folks do New Year’s resolutions. If you are one of the many that do resolutions here is a suggestion that may help you. Change the resolution to a promise. A promise is an assurance that a particular thing will happen and your expectation that you can make it happen. It can be your binding declaration that is given by you for yourself or for another person’s benefit. As a caregiver, your plate is never half empty but always full. Your first and foremost promise should be to take good care of yourself so that you are able to take care of your loved one. Make your health the first priority and promise to get a yearly physical exam, assess your caregiving role to see where extra help may be needed, get an exercise routine that involves at least 20 minutes three times a week, keep humor in your day, seek spiritual support or counseling for mental health and attend any support meetings in your area. End your year with the promise of a positive outcome for your caregiving role in the new year.

- Judy Warren, Kenai Peninsula National Family Caregiver Support Program