The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following peer support meetings in September. This month’s meetings will include discussion focused on strategies for long distance caregiving. Please join to share your experiences as a caregiver or to support someone who is a caregiver.

Sept. 3, Caregiver support meeting at Sterling Senior Center, 1 p.m.

Sept. 10, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m.

Sept. 17, Caregiver support meeting at Kenai Senior Center, 1 p.m.

Sept. 24, Open house at Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program in Blazy Mall, Soldotna, 11 a.m. to 1 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 from 1 to 2 p.m. by Shelley McManamay, former Kenai Peninsula Borough Support Program outreach specialist and experienced long distance family caregiver.

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 (Sept. 12 and 26) 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 (Sept. 6), 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 (Sept. 20).

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 (Sept. 13), 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 (Sept. 27). 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

Caregiving isn’t just a name, it carries so much meaning and can be done by a relative, friend, partner, and neighbor or through a formal service such as an agency. Regardless of who is doing the caregiving there are common bonds through the caregiving process and that is the emotional impact the job requires.

1. The feeling of sadness encountered by losing the normal things taken for granted the individual used to do.

2. Frustration of having to get so many things done, many times on short notice.

3. Isolation created by things not being normal.

4. Resentment felt because you don’t have enough personal time for yourself.

The best way to deal with emotions is to make time for yourself, even if only for five minutes, tap into friends, get some exercise, practice forgiveness using the tool of prayer, and attend a support group meeting in your area and meet folks with the same common bonds you experience and ease that impact.

- Judy Warren, Kenai Peninsula National Family Caregiver Support Program