The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following peer support meetings in January. This month’s discussion topic will be “Beginning a New Year: How We Can Be Better at Taking Care to Give Care.”

Jan. 7, Caregiver support meeting at Sterling Senior Center, 1 p.m.

Jan. 14, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m.

Jan. 21, Caregiver support meeting at Kenai Senior Center, 1 p.m.

Jan. 28, 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 presentation at 11 a.m., with Gabby of Geneva Woods, on 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 or 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 (Jan. 9 and 23) 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 (Jan. 3), 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 (Jan. 16).

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 (Jan. 10), 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 (Jan. 24). 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

Our Outreach Specialist, Sharon Christopher in her resume for employment stated that she was seeking a position that used her communication, administrative and human service skills that would enable her to make a positive contribution. Sharon was with our program at Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program in Soldotna for three years and five months. She indeed did make a positive contribution with all that she did for this program. We are grateful for her contributions. Sharon was also a cancer fighter of six years and her long journey with cancer ended on Dec. 10, 2019. Here is an excerpt from her story that she wrote as a result of that journey:

“It is important to have peace and joy in spite of cancer. Every day is a gift that has become both THANKS and GIVING. I am thankful for life, for time with my family, for adventures, for the beauty of nature, for my dog and cat, for love, for peace. I am a giver, I still have purpose and meaning, I am still able to contribute in the helping field by working part time. I give love and compassion and understanding to others.”

She did honor that statement and we are eternally grateful to have had her.

Start your New Year with thanks and giving. Honor your love, have compassion and understanding and “take care to give care”.

- Judy Warren, Kenai Peninsula National Family Caregiver Support program