Kare Bear board opportunities
Teri Sellers
For more than 20 years Kare Bears has been serving the residents of PebbleCreek. Now, there are a few opportunities for you to serve Kare Bears as a Board of Directors member. Teri Sellers, President and Joyce VanOrnam, President-Elect and Ronni Stalker, Nominating Committee Chair are currently accepting inquiries for the following positions:
1st Vice-President: this board member manages the Kare Bear Coordinator program.
*Work with special volunteer to recruit and train new coordinators
*Maintain coordinator listing
*Update and distribute coordinator manual
*Oversee activities of other special volunteers
*Cover for President when President is absent
2nd Vice-President: this board member works with and oversees special volunteers and volunteers to maintain the services provided through the Kare Bear house.
*Work with special volunteer to recruit and train office volunteers
*Update procedure manual and training materials for all changes in office procedure.
*Work with special volunteer to prepare and maintain office staffing schedule.
Communications: this board member uses all avenues of communication, including the Post, PebbleNews, PebbleTV, Kare Bears and PebbleCreek e-groups to inform residents of activities and upcoming events. Some writing skills are needed but many board members choose to write their own and submit them to the Chair for publication.
Health and Wellness: this board member organizes the following healthcare events during the year:
*Annual Health and Wellness Fair
*Annual flu and pneumonia shots
*Four blood drives
*Two hearing tests
*Four AED/CPR training classes
*Four AARP Safe Driver classes
Some may think that these positions require a lot of time and work, but Kare Bears has a full roster of volunteers that love special projects. Our volunteers are more than capable and willing to help with those special projects and ongoing responsibilities.
Kare Bears is an awesome organization managed by a fantastic Board of Directors. If you are interested in learning more about the above opportunities, please contact Teri Sellers, President at [email protected] or 602-793-0299 or Joyce VanOrnam, President-elect at [email protected] or 602-318-4666 or Nominating Chair Ronni Stalker at [email protected] or 515-321-0323.
Skin cancer screening offered
Hilary Coltman
Kare Bears Health and Wellness will have a mobile van here April 9 and 10 and again April 16 and 17 for skin cancer screening. The van will be located at Tuscany Falls between the sales office and the restaurant. There will be three people per hour starting at 8:00 a.m. with the last appointment at 2:40 p.m. If you are interested the sign-up sheets will be at Eagle’s Nest across from the Pro Shop. Please remember that if you sign up, you need to keep your appointment. This screening is free.
Abrazo Hospital tours scheduled
Janis Korba
Kare Bears has scheduled tours of Abrazo West Campus Hospital and Level 1 Trauma Center for the residents of PebbleCreek, which includes lunch in the board room with Stan Holm, the CEO. In emergencies seconds count and we are fortunate to have this hospital within a few minutes’ driving time.
This month’s tour will be Thursday, April 26. The tour and lunch are available for the first 16 people that sign up. Please call the Kare Bear House at 623-536-1200 to make a reservation. Your name must be on the list to attend. If you can’t make the April tour please sign up for the May 24 tour. We will not be having tours during the summer months. Tours will resume September 27.
We know you’ll enjoy this tour and lunch. The day of the tour we need to be in the lobby of the Main Entrance located at 13677 W. McDowell Road, just before 10:00 a.m.
Our Memory Trainer is back
Joyce Van Ornam
Our Memory Trainer is back! Laurie Fox has been in the non-medical field since 1999 in Maricopa County. She is a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA), trained as a Memory Trainer for Banner Alzheimer’s Institute as well as a facilitator for an Alzheimer’s/dementia support group at Grace Bible Church.
Memory, or lack of it, affects our lives in small and big ways. Every day concerns or when dealing with Alzheimer/dementia – it becomes frustrating in our everyday life to accept that we just cannot remember things like we used to. If you had an opportunity to learn about how to improve this – I am sure you would jump at the chance to do so. We are bringing that training to PebbleCreek Kare Bear Presents.
Laurie Fox also serves on the management team of the West Valley Professionals’ Roundtable and the women only networking group in Sun City. She enjoys working at the Cypress HomeCare Solutions assessing cases and helping families find solutions for their loved ones. She always says, “It’s personal” as she was the Agent Power of Attorney for over seven years for her mother who had Alzheimer’s Disease. When she is not working, Laurie enjoys spending time outside, volunteering for the desert clean up at the White Tanks Mountain Preserve. Laurie loves working with people and using her extensive network to help people find the resources they need. Join us on Wednesday, April 25 at Eagle’s Nest Ballroom at 11:00 a.m.–noon. It is free. Refreshments and bakery goodies are available so you can enjoy the presentation and learn how to improve your memory!
Wellness assessments April 16-18
Hilary Coltman, Director of Health and Wellness for Kare Bears
Kare Bears Health and Wellness has scheduled comprehensive wellness assessments April 16, 17 and 18, 2018.
Because we are committed to your health, we are excited to announce that we have teamed up with Wellspring to provide on-site comprehensive wellness assessments that include:
Allergy Testing (62 panel comprehensive test)
Audiometry (hearing test) that detects early hearing loss so that it can be addressed
Body Composition Assessment (to help detect and prevent a multitude of health issues)
Diabetes Screening that detects both pre-diabetes and diabetes
Heart Health Study that accurately assess multiple heart functions
Lab Service that covers regular lab tests that predict early disease indicators
Pulmonary Function Testing that helps in the detection of certain lung disorders
Vision Screening that quickly and accurately detects vision issues
Imaging and Ultrasound that visualizes images of all the major organs
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 a $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 will be from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on our premises in their Mobile Unit in the parking lot between the Sales Office and TF restaurant.
What do you need to do?
Sign up for your comprehensive wellness assessment by contacting Wellspring at 480-664-3840 or [email protected].
Wellspring will be contacting you to get insurance information and let you know that it is covered and provide your appointment time.
We look forward to your taking this important step for your health!
Blood Drive planned for April 10
Hilary Coltman, BA, RN, Director of Health and Wellness for Kare Bears
As part of Kare Bears Health and Wellness effort, we are pleased to be offering a Blood Drive open to all residents on Tuesday, April 10 from 8:00 a.m. until noon in the Palm Room at Eagle’s Nest.
The sign-up sheet is at the Eagle’s Nest Clubhouse across from the Pro Shop. Appointments are scheduled every 15 minutes starting at 8:00 a.m. until noon. 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 April 10.
To register online with United Blood Services, complete the health history questionnaire. The instructions, entitled “Streamline your next donation: Complete your health history on line” 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 April 11.
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 percent 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 help neighbors!
If you have any questions, please contact the Kare Bears House at 536-1200.