Senior Voice -

The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following peer support meetings in August. This month’s meetings will include discussion on anticipatory grief and ambiguous loss issues in caregiving. Please join to share your experiences as a caregiver or to support someone who is a caregiver.

Aug. 6, Caregiver support meeting at Sterling Senior Center, 1 p.m.

Aug. 13, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m.

Aug. 20, Caregiver support meeting at Kenai Senior Center, 1 p.m.

Aug. 27, 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 1 p.m. by Certified Grief Recovery Specialist Gail Kennedy, on how to deal with grief that comes with any emotional loss.

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 (Aug. 8 and 22) 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 (June 7), 10 to 11:30 a.m. Contact Janice Downing, Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska, 746-3413.

In Wasilla, Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska hosts a caregiver support group meeting at Primrose Retirement Community, 889 Elkhorn Drive, 10 to 11:30 a.m. on the third Thursday of each month (Aug. 15).

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 (Aug. 9), 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 (Aug. 23). 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

Creating fun for the person you care for should be one of your considerations. I have memories of years ago when my best friend was caring for his mother who was in an assisted living home in Washington. At least once a week he took her to the local fast food restaurant for a cheeseburger and fries. She so looked forward to this outing and couldn’t wait until the next time. This allowed her the chance to “get out of the house“, and have what she really enjoyed, burger and fries.

In our caregiving role we sometimes forget what those we are caring for can still do and enjoy. Consider what they used to enjoy and how you can help them get “out into the world” and still enjoy those things. A simple trip to the supermarket or a department store, not to purchase but to stimulate memory. A short drive in a neighborhood, park or into the country may also stimulate and revive memory. Whatever you do, just remember that their pace is a consideration according to their condition, and do something you both can enjoy.

- Judy Warren, Kenai Peninsula National Family Caregiver Support Program