Senior Voice -

The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following peer support meetings in March. This month’s training topic is “The Power of Music in Caring for People with Dementia.” Come, learn more about the therapeutic effects of music such as connection, remembering happier times, comfort, sense of belonging, lifting of spirits, and relieving boredom.

March 5, Caregiver support meeting at Sterling Senior Center, 1 p.m. This meeting will acknowledge Sleep Awareness Month, with a discussion on sundowners and restful sleep.

March 12, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m.

March 19, Caregiver support meeting at Kenai Senior Center, 1 p.m.

March 26, Open house at Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program in Blazy Mall, Soldotna, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Check out the lending library, durable medical equipment loan closet and more while enjoying a cup of coffee and friendly conversation. Be sure to attend the workshop presentation at 11 a.m. with Central Peninsula Hospital Sleep Center on their services that support family caregivers.

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 (March 14 and 28) at Homer Senior Center, 2 to 3:30 p.m. Hosted by Pam Hooker. Call for more information, 235-4555.

Palmer caregiver support group meets at Palmer Senior Center (aka Mat-Su Senior Services) the first Friday of each month (March 1), 10 to 11:30 a.m. Contact Janice Downing, Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska, 746-3413.

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, 463-6177 or 463-6181.

The Ketchikan Family Caregiver Support Group meets the second Friday of each month (March 8), 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 (March 22). 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, 463-6177 or 463-6181

Ketchikan, 225-8080

Kodiak, 486-6181

Nome, 443-4507

Palmer/Wasilla, 746-3413

Sitka, 747-4600

Family caregiver tip of the month

“You don’t get to choose how you’re going to die or when. You can only decide how you’re going to live.” — Joan Baez

As a caregiver you may have to help your loved one make choices on living, if it means staying home or having to go where they can get more assistance than home care provides. Most folks want to stay in their home as long as possible, however, making the choice of going into an assisted living or a nursing home may become the reality one has to face. When it comes to a long term care decision, a good start is to have a family meeting involving everyone possible to discuss the options. Share, gather and collect information so everyone has the same knowledge and are not left out in the decision process. If more information and options are needed, consider getting some long term care counseling. Contact your local family caregiver support program for more information and help. Then take time for some spring snow with longer days and sunshine.

- Judy Warren, Kenai Peninsula National Family Caregiver Support Program