Senior Voice -

The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following peer support meetings in April. This month’s topic is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and meetings will include discussion centered around age related issues and driving.

April 2, Caregiver support meeting at Sterling Senior Center, 1 p.m.

April 9, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m.

April 16, Caregiver support meeting at Kenai Senior Center, 1 p.m.

April 23, 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 Daryl Mannausau, an American Automobile Assoc. lead instructor who has been teaching drivers since 1983.

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 (April 11 and 25) 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 (April 5), 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 (April 12), 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 (April 26). 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

Ketchikan, 225-8080

Kodiak, 486-6181

Nome, 443-4507

Palmer/Wasilla, 746-3413

Family caregiver tip of the month

With warmer days and sunshine, we start to think about all the tasks we need to accomplish that the weather permits. As a caregiver you can define the help you need to spring clean your caregiving tasks.

First, list tasks in order of importance, length of time to complete and skill needed. Realize that asking for help means you know the situation and are working on a problem solving plan for your situation. Break the list into weekly tasks needed such as appointments, etc. Group these tasks into categories such as personal care, transportation, appointments, household chores, etc.

Do whatever works for you. List things that concern and worry you for better understanding of what you may have to pay for or what others can provide. Share this with someone you trust to get comfortable talking about it. The effort will be worth it as you have defined goals for both you and your loved one. That is “taking care to give care.”

- Judy Warren, Kenai Peninsula National Family Caregiver Support program