Rayma Scalzo
What is it you may ask? It is not to be confused with the Source Book that you received in February. It is a compilation of resources provided by residents from the PebbleCreek egroups, speaker presentations, facilitators and members of support groups, Area Agency on Aging, lists from organizations specializing in seniors, and resources obtained from research on the internet. Some resources provided by residents are home watch, home maintenance, computer assistance, pet services, seamstresses, transportation, errands, and caregiving. There are mobile resources including doctors and dentists that do house calls for the homebound, dry cleaning, golf cart services, grocery delivery, massages, meals, salon services, and more. There are outside community services including the Area Agency on Aging, attorneys, baby equipment rentals, financial/estate planning resources, funeral homes/cemeteries, government agencies, hospices, hospitals and urgent care centers, laboratory testing and radiology, meals, medical and non-medical home care, medical products, physical therapy, pick-up and delivery of goods, prescription relief, respite, senior housing, and more. There are valuable resources from the web, which include nutrition, clothing for the disabled, identity theft protection, medical alert products, medically related newsletters, and support/programs/products for a variety of diseases.
Last, but not least, are the free services provided by Kare Bears. Yes, even during COVID, many of them are still being provided. The most used ones are the loan of medical equipment and transportation to medically related appointments.
This year, Eddie Daurora volunteered to use his computer skills to make it easier to navigate online at www.karebears.org. He designed it so you can just click on a resource listed in the table of contents, and you will be taken directly there. You can also print your own copy if you choose to. It is as simple as that!
The UPS store, on Litchfield Rd and Indian School Road (by Safeway), has been very kind to our community. They will provide an entire printed copy of the updated directory for just $1. Such a deal! Ask for the Kare Bears Directory of Services.
While you are on the Kare Bears website at www.karebears.org, you may want to take a moment to learn about us and the services we provide. Plus, if you want to volunteer, check to see what opportunities are available.
As you can see, the directory can be used by everyone, young and old, ill, or healthy. In some cases, such as the support and products area, resources can be used by family and friends all over the country. Check it out!
Important: Each individual using the directory is responsible for vetting the resources. Please view the disclaimer on the front page of the directory.