Senior Voice -

Editor’s note: This schedule may change, due to coronavirus safety measures. Be sure to confirm with the host agency prior to visiting.

With senior centers still closed, the Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold all September peer support meetings on Tuesdays, 1 p.m., at its new office location, 44539 Sterling Highway, Suite 202 in the Blazy Mall in Soldotna. Social distancing will be respected, and masks will be worn at the meetings, and virtual attendance via Zoom can be arranged for those who can’t make it in person. Different topics will be discussed at each meeting. Bring your questions and ideas.

You may also schedule one-on-one appointments and if you have questions concerning help in the home, staff can refer you to community resources.

There is no charge for these services and everyone is invited to attend

For more information, call Rachael or Judy at 907-262-1280.

The Homer Family Caregiver meetings will meet online via Zoom, hosted by Gay Wellman and the Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska, on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month (Sept. 10 and 24). For more information, call 1-800-478-1080, select option 5.

Palmer caregiver support group meets at Palmer Senior Center (aka Mat-Su Senior Services) the first Friday of each month (Sept. 4), 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 (Sept. 11), 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. 25). 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

Family caregiver tip of the month

As a caregiver you have a lot on your plate. With the onset of this pandemic you now have additional concerns on your plate. There will be visitor concerns, doctor visits, shopping, etc. In addition, you may have a relief worker coming in to relieve your burden from time to time. Meeting these care concerns is your challenge. Carefully follow recommended guidelines on social distancing, wearing of masks, washing and cleaning surfaces on a regular basis. Ensure that your relief help also follows the recommended guidelines, policies and procedures. If they are connected with an agency, ask for the agency’s guidelines. Keep a close record of visitors and the time and day they visited for that “just in case need”. You deal with the most vulnerable people in helping prevent any virus spread. Develop a checkoff list for yourself as a reminder of anticipated guidelines. The protection and safety of your loved one is in your hands. Helping one another through these hurdles during these critical times is essential to everyone’s wellbeing.

“You rise to face the giant of disease and despair, it is your finest hour, though you may be unaware, you are the caregiver and you have done well.”

- Judy Warren, Kenai Peninsula National Family Caregiver Support Program