Kare Bears’ Korner

Kare Bears upcoming events

Calendar of Events

April 14: The Groves Tour 11:30 a.m.

April 20: Monthly Presentation, 11:00 a.m., Eagle’s Nest Ballroom

April 21: Abrazo Hospital Tour, 10:00 a.m.

April 29: CPR/AED Class, 8:30 a.m., Tuscany Falls Ballroom One

May 12: Estrella Estates Tour, 11:30 a.m.

May 19: Abrazo Hospital Tour, 10:00 a.m.

Thank you, Kare Bears donors

Sue White

Non-campaign donations were received from the following residents and groups:

Mary Wilkening; Michael Shouse from sales of his book; Lester and Phyllis Minsuk; Friday Golf Gals; Jean and Benjamin Fox; Jean and Les Gill; Kevin Haselhorst, January Program Speaker from his book sales; Mary Couzens Realty; Pat and Linda Brisnehan; Don and Patricia Richter; Nancy Swanson;

Ardyce DuRand; Harold and Sandra Isaksen; Connie and Alan Hatfield and Benz Enterprises

Equipment Use Donations were received from Michelle Hickert and William and Donna Duncan.

Memorial contributions were received from Jim and Michelle Hundt, Howie and Claudia Tiger and Barbara Murphy in memory of Stan Wisnes; Patti Murphy and Fred and Kathryn Pelzer in memory of Jeanne Sorenson and Knimble Kneedles in memory of Maria Sheridan.

Transportation Use Donations were received from Joanne Crandall and Kaye Perrier.

The generosity and thoughtfulness of these residents and groups will enable Kare Bears to continue to serve the needs of our PebbleCreek residents.

National Heathcare Decision Day

Kare Bears recently received information from Aging with Dignity regarding National Healthcare Decisions Day, April 16, 2016!

National Healthcare Decisions Day is the date set aside each year to encourage all adults to discuss and plan ahead for a serious illness. Five Wishes makes advanced care planning easy because it is written in everyday language and deals with the things people care about most: their comfort, maintaining their dignity and other personal, spiritual and family matters.

You may find more information on this important subject at www.agingwithdignity.org. If you wish to call them, the number is 888-594-7437.

Mark your calendars with this important date!

CPR class – April 29

Have you always wanted to learn CPR, but never took the time—well, here’s your opportunity to learn a lifesaving technique. The class will be held on Friday, April 29 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Tuscany Falls Ballroom, Room One.

The CPR/AED defibrillator and resuscitation class is open to all employees and residents of PebbleCreek. The certified instructor does an excellent presentation with hands-on training in all equipment and technique.

The cost is $30 for residents and can be paid with cash or checks to Arizona Pro CPR and First Aid LLC at the beginning of the class.

A sign-up sheet is available in the Kare Bears folder at the Community Information Mailbox across from the Eagle’s Nest Pro Shop.

Any questions? Please call the Kare Bears house at 536-1200.

Abrazo Hospital tours

Sue White

Kare Bears has scheduled a tour of Abrazo Hospital, formerly West Valley Hospital on Thursday, April 21. We are offering a tour and lunch to the first 16 people to sign up.

Please call the Kare Bears House at 623-536-1200 to make a reservation. Your name must be on the list to attend the tour.

If April is full, you may sign up for one of the next two scheduled tours on either Thursday, May 19 or Thursday, June 16.

We know you’ll enjoy this tour and appreciate all the must needed information. The hospital has undergone tremendous new construction which we feel everyone will be pleased to see.

This is the nearest hospital to PebbleCreek offering a Level 1 Trauma Center, accredited chest pain center, cardiac arrest center, joint commission certified, primary stroke center and board certified physicians.

Abrazo Hospital has the Robotic Surgical Services using the de Vinci Surgical Platform, Outpatient Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine. They do offer free wellness events on Living with Knee or Hip Pain.

Abrazo Hospital is located at 13677 W. McDowell Road. We will meet at the hospital’s main entrance for the tour just before 10:00 a.m.!

There’s no place like home: Resources for remaining independent

Kare Bears would like to invite you to hear Jennifer Lawless, with Benevilla, at the Kare Bears monthly presentation on Wednesday, April 20 at 11:00 a.m. in the Eagle’s Nest Ballroom.

So how can you stay at home and remain independent? Experts from Benevilla, the 35 year old non-profit whose mission is to help people to meet this basic need, is here to help. And, Benevilla is expanding their services to our area! Jennifer will be sharing information on all the services available plus volunteer opportunities.

A 2010 AARP survey found that 88% of their respondents 65 and older said they wanted to stay home as long as possible. However, this same study showed that many of those homes are not well suited for aging. Slightly less than half of the respondents to an AARP/Roper Public Affairs and Media group poll reported that their home would not fully meet their physical needs as they age. To age in place, seniors must be able to either afford to remain in their current homes, making any necessary aging-related modifications or choose from affordable residential options in their communities.

Wealthier households may have sufficient personal savings and assets to self-finance aging in place. However, many households are financially insecure. Many middle-income households, paying to age in place is a serious challenge. Middle-income households that do not qualify for subsidized housing support services may not be able to afford to pay for in-home care, home modifications or other options designed to help them stay in their homes. They may not be able to afford or may not want to move to an assisted living or continuing care community. Although numerous government programs support low-income seniors, they do not meet the current demand for services. Communities will need a wider range of affordable housing options to help middle-income households age in place.

Benevilla provides free services like grocery shopping, rides to appointments, light handyman services and more. These sorts of simple services can make the difference between staying at home and having to move. They will discuss how to prevent falls and stay healthy and discuss when you should ask for help in order to remain at home. This presentation will also address the importance of medication management. Benevilla will also discuss the importance of social connections and suggest great ways to remain a vital part of your community.

Jennifer Lawless has lived in Arizona since 1976 and earned her degree in Fine Art from Arizona State University where she graduated magna cum laude. She has over 10 years of experience working in the senior care field. Currently the Senior Director of Marketing at Benevilla, her past work experience includes jobs with Sun Health Senior Living, Home Instead Senior Care and more.

All PebbleCreek residents are welcome to this free event!

Soft refreshments will be served!

We hope you can join us!

Assisted living tours planned

Sue White

Kare Bears is arranging the following Assisted Living Tours in the next two months.

On Thursday, April 14 we will tour and lunch at the Groves. The Groves is located at 2655 N. PebbleCreek Parkway. We will meet at the main entrance at 11:30 a.m. The Groves offers independent and assisted living. They also have a memory care unit.

On Thursday, May 12 we will tour and lunch at Estrella Estates. They are located at 14930 West Wigwam Boulevard. They offer independent living with assistance when needed. In addition, they serve three meals daily, offer weekly housekeeping and have laundry facilities.

Both of these communities offer all utilities (except phone), 24 hour staff on duty, housekeeping, dining, a full activities program and scheduled transportation.

Join us on the tours to see the complete list of amenities for each community.

Please, don’t wait till you need to find somewhere to get assistance—be prepared!

Space is limited—don’t delay!

You can sign up by calling the Kare Bears House at 536-1200.