Kare Bears needs you!
Rayma Scalzo
As the summer draws near and many of the snowbirds get ready to leave, Kare Bears finds the need for Unit Coordinators. Life does not stop during the summer at PebbleCreek and many of us find ourselves in need of a little help from a friend during the long hot months. Kare Bears has always been committed to making sure our services do not wane during this time of year. Due to changes by natural attrition, folks moving from and to PebbleCreek and/or changes of one’s personal life, we need your help in order to maintain our high standard of service to the residents of PebbleCreek. Kare Bears is putting out an appeal for volunteers to service as Unit Coordinators who are needed year-round.
Unit Coordinators are the backbone of Kare Bears. In practice, the Unit Coordinator acts as the liaison between a neighbor in need of assistance and the services offered by Kare Bears. The main responsibility of a Coordinator is staying in touch with the residents through phone calls, emails or by visits just to let them know you are there for them. A cheery visit, a get well card and comfort in the time of loss are just a few of the many things they do.
The most urgent need for coordinators at this time is in Units 2, 12, 25, 32, 35, 54 and 58. If one of these units is yours, please consider becoming a Coordinator. As a Coordinator you are assigned specific lots within your unit. Unless your unit is small there are several Coordinators in each unit.
We also have a need for Roving Coordinators so if you don’t see your unit listed above or if we need additional volunteers in large units, we need you, too! A Roving Coordinator is willing to go anywhere within PebbleCreek to help where there are no Coordinators or if someone is on vacation.
Talk to any of our Unit Coordinators and they will tell you that they find great pleasure in this position as well as much enjoyment from really getting to know their neighbors. Great friendships are made. Granted the pay is nothing, but the rewards are great!
Please call Rayma Scalzo at 623-935-1819 or email her at [email protected] today!
You will be happy you did! There is no commitment just to talk about this unique opportunity.
Thank you, donors!
Sue White
The Kare Bears Board of Directors wishes to acknowledge various donations received in April from the following residents and/or groups.
Non Campaign donations were received from: Russell Steglich, Barbra Patrow, George and Margaret Schwab, James and Jill Lewis, John and Melanie Fitzsimmons, Georgia Weinstein, Linda Strauss Lewis, Virgil Scherping, Ditta M Hoffelner, Ardyce DuRand, Albert and Rebecca Gardner, William and Barbara Ence, Joseph and Sharon Haskovec, Ted and Thelma Lindhorn, Robert and Janet McPherson, R.T. and A.J. Holmes, Lloyd and Barbara Chilton, Steve and Nancy Duncanson, David and Deborah Deal, Bernice Johnston, Jay and Sally Ward, Angelo and Elizabeth Fergione, Nyle Neumann
Memorial donations were received from the following: Carol Socks-Parker in memory of Dorothy Clyne and Steven Nathan/David Kiesling in memory of Kathy Korosa’s father.
Equipment donations were received from Charles Brown, Mrs. Taylor, Georgia Weinstein, Cindy Stahl, Bill Prater and Nancy Treece.
The generosity and thoughtfulness of these residents and groups will enable Kare Bears to continue to service the needs of our PebbleCreek residents.
Michelle Toft, MSW of Cypress Home Care will be the speaker at the June Kare Bear Presentation.
Ambiguous loss – presentation
Kare Bears would like to invite you to hear Michelle Toft, MSW of Cypress Home Care at the Kare Bears monthly presentation on Wednesday, June 21 at 11:00 a.m. at the Eagle’s Nest Ballroom.
Ambiguous loss is a term that is used to describe the grief or distress associated with a loss (usually a person or relationship) in which there is confusion or uncertainty about that person or relationship. There are two types of ambiguous loss:
•When the person is physically present but psychologically unavailable. An example of this might be when someone in your life has Alzheimer’s or dementia, has a mental health diagnosis or chemical use issues which make them emotionally unavailable, even if that person is physically present.
A person experiencing ambiguous loss may:
Have difficulty with transitions or changes; have difficulty making decisions – feeling paralyzed or overwhelmed when having to make choices about one’s life; have decreased ability to cope with routine childhood or adolescent losses – not being able to move on from a disappointment or loss or feeling stuck; exhibit learned helplessness or hopelessness; have depression and/or anxiety; have feelings of guilt.
Families and care partners of people with dementia experience loss throughout the disease process; this loss is difficult to describe as the person is still present, but the disease masks who they have always been. In this session we will learn more about ambiguous loss and finding meaning on the journey.
Michelle earned her Master of Social Work in 1997, then in 2011 Michelle earned her Master of Education in Human Resource Development. The majority of Michelle’s work experience has been with the elderly population. She has managed memory care units in both skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities and has worked as a social worker supporting families and educating staff about dementia care. Michelle is also a support group leader for care partners of people with dementia.
Light refreshments will be available along with water, lemonade and coffee.
This is a free event!
We hope to see you at this event!
Kare Bears calendar of events
Sue White
June 5 and 6 – Comprehensive Wellness Assessments – Eagle’s Nest Parking Lot- Mobile Unit
June 7 – AARP Safe Driving Class – Milan Room
June 13 – Blood Drive – Palm Room
June 17 – Monthly Presentation and Annual Meeting
Annual meeting – 6/21/17
Sue White
The annual meeting of Kare-ing Neighbors, Inc., d.b.a. will be held on Wednesday, June 21 at 11:00 a.m. in the Eagle’s Nest Ballroom.
Written yearly reports of the Board of Directors as well as the annual Treasurer’s Report will be available. The election of directors will follow for open positions. All residents of PebbleCreek are cordially invited to attend. This meeting will provide information about the organization and what this group of committed volunteers makes available for our community each year.
In addition, we will also have our monthly presentation.
We look forward to seeing you at the meeting!
Blood drive – June 13
As part of Kare Bears Health and Wellness effort, we are pleased to be offering a Blood Drive open to all residents on Tuesday, June 13 from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. in the Palm Room at Eagle’s Nest.
The sign-up sheet is at the at the Eagle’s Nest Clubhouse across from the Pro Shop. Appointments are scheduled every 15 minutes starting at 8:30 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. Two appointments can be scheduled at the same time. If you would rather sign up at home on your computer, there is an instruction sheet explaining this process.
We want to encourage you to sign up on the computer to streamline the process on June 13.
To register online with United Blood Services, complete the Health History Questionnaire. The instructions, entitled Streamline your next donation: Complete your Health History Online, are with the signup sheet or instructions can be found at www.UnitedBloodServices.org/HealthHIstory.html. Donors who complete the online health history questionnaire should print out the Fast Track Donation Ticket and bring it with you to the drive on June 13.
Blood donation reminders on the day of the drive:
1) Hydrate and eat a meal prior to your donation – even better start hydrating the day before.
2) Bring ID with you (UBS Donor Card, Driver’s License work well)
3) Make sure you are free of any cold or flu symptoms.
4) Have medication list available if needed.
5) Wear a top with loose-fitting sleeves (preferably short sleeves) so that we can check blood pressure and locate the best vein to use to collect your blood.
6) Bring a list of all countries (and cities/areas you have visited (with dates) in the past 12 months and do the same for all European countries you have visited since 1980.
7) You must weigh at least 110 pounds.
8) Waiting period between donations is 56 days for whole blood, 112 for double red cell donations.
Did you know you can save three lives just by donating your blood and it will only take a half hour out of your day? In addition, your body produces healthier red cells after a donation; red cells carry oxygen to your vital organs. The blood supply at Valley Hospitals is in need of constant replenishing. UBS-AZ is one of three approved blood banks that can send blood to our military overseas.
Also, if you are taking prescription medications, 95% of them are fine and will not prevent you from donating blood. Some examples of acceptable meds are: insulin, blood pressure, cholesterol, anti-depressants, thyroid, allergy and aspirin.
Many thanks for helping Kare Bears helping neighbors!
If you have any questions, please contact the Kare Bears House at 536-1200.
AARP Safe Driving Class
Sue White
An AARP Safe Driving class will be held on Thursday, June 7 from 8:00 a.m. to noon in the Milan Room at Tuscany Falls for all PebbleCreek residents.
Cost for AARP members is $15 and for non-members the cost is $20. Checks for the class should be made payable to AARP.
Safety techniques and driving principles will be explained in the class. Some auto insurers do give a discount upon completion of the class, so please check with your insurance carriers. It is well worth the time and cost. A certificate of completion will be distributed at the end of class.
A sign-up sheet is 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 623-536-1200.
Comprehensive Wellness Assessments
Sue White
Kare Bears is committed to good health, so we are excited to announce that we have teamed up with Wellspring to provide on-site Comprehensive Wellness Assessments that include:
1. Allergy Testing (62 panel comprehensive test); 2. Audiometry (hearing test) that detects early hearing loss so that it can be addressed; 3. Body Composition Assessment (to help detect and prevent a multitude of health issues); 4. Diabetes Screening that detects both pre-diabetes and diabetes; 5. Heart Health Study that accurately assess multiple heart functions; 6. Lab Service that covers regular lab tests that predict early disease indicators; 7. Pulmonary Function Testing that helps in the detection of certain lung disorders; 8. Vision Screening that quickly and accurately detects vision issues; 9. Imaging and Ultrasound that visualizes images of all the major organs; 10. Dermatology Screen looks over your skin for any possible abnormalities
Visit Wellspring’s Comprehensive Wellness Assessment website www.wellspringcwa.com for more information.
How much will this cost?
There will be $0 co-pay with all testing covered by your health insurance. You will receive a coupon with your care package with program details.
When and where will it be?
The dates for the Comprehensive Wellness Assessment on our premises will be on Monday, June 5 and Tuesday, June 6 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Eagle’s Nest parking lot in the Mobile Unit.
What do you need to do?
1. Sign up for your Comprehensive Wellness Assessment by contacting Wellspring at 480-664-3840 or register at wellspringcwa.com or sign up across from the Eagle’s Nest Pro Shop.
Wellspring will be contacting you to get insurance information and let you know that it is covered.
We look forward to your taking this important step for your health!