Health and Wellness has events scheduled in October
Donna Blomquist, RN and Dee-Dee Patrick, MS, RN, co-directors of Health & Wellness, Kare Bears
Skin cancer screening
CareToU will be providing a mobile unit at the Eagle’s Nest Parking Lot (across from Activities Center). Schedule a half-hour appointment for one of the following dates: Monday, Oct. 14; Tuesday, Oct. 15; Monday, Oct. 22; or Tuesday, Oct. 23. Hours of availability are 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day.
Once you register, CareToU staff will contact you to confirm your appointment. Please bring your insurance card with you to your appointment.
Blood drive
Tuesday, Oct. 15, from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Palm Room.
1. Sign up, and schedule your appointment at RedCrossBlood.org.
2. Invite your spouse or significant other. Share love as you share the life-saving gift of blood together.
3. Invite a friend. Donating blood is always more fun with a friend, so bring one along or in place of your donation.
Patients in need count on drives like ours to provide a steady supply of blood. Each donation can help save up to three lives, so by meeting our goal, we can touch so many lives in our community and around the country.
Walk-ins are welcome!
AARP safe driving class
Wednesday, Oct. 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Palm Room.
The cost for AARP members is $15, and $20 for non-members.
* Taking this class could save you money on insurance.
* You’ll learn how to manage and accommodate common age-related changes in vision, hearing, and reaction time.
* A certificate of completion will be issued.
Flu shot clinics
Walgreens will be administering standard and high dose 65-plus flu shots in the Tuscany Falls Ballroom.
Friday, Oct. 11, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 17, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 18, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 23, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Walk-ins are welcome!
Comprehensive whole-body assessments on Oct. 21 and Oct. 22; 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Tuscany Falls parking lot.
* Allergy testing (62 panel comprehensive test).
* Diabetes screening – detects both pre-diabetes and diabetes.
* Heart health study – accurately assesses multiple heart functions.
* Lab service – covers regular lab tests to predict early disease.
* Pulmonary function testing – detects certain lung disorders.
* Vision screening – detects vision issues.
* Imaging and ultrasound – visualizes images of major organs.
* Dermatology screen – assesses skin for abnormalities.
Harmony Medical Care offers a comprehensive whole-body assessment. Visit www.comprehensivewholebodyassessment.com for more information or call 480-664-3840.
CPR & AED class
Training includes comprehensive and practical first-aid instruction tailored to meet the needs of those of us living in Arizona.
Friday, Oct. 25; 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Tuscany Falls Ballroom.
The fee for the class is $30, payable by cash or check the morning of the class. Please, no credit cards.
Sign-up sheets are in folders at the community information mailbox across from the Eagle’s Nest pro shop, unless online registration is indicated.
Call the Kare Bears house at 623-536-1200 with questions.
Medicare. What’s new and different this year
Teri Sellers
Kare Bear Presents is all about Medicare in October! Every year, there are changes in the Medicare program, and most of us are not aware of them. We have the option of making changes to our Medicare insurance plans annually, but unless we know what our options are and how they affect us personally, we can’t make a good decision.
Are Medicare costs going up? Are Medicare plans changing this year, or will there be changes to the Prescription Plan donut hole?
October’s featured presenter is Maryna Sachs. She is the Benefits Assistance Program volunteer coordinator for the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) Region One in Phoenix. For the past seven years, Ms. Sachs provided assistance with Medicare enrollment, Medicare savings, and extra help programs for eligible beneficiaries.
The Benefits Assistance Program provides objective information about Medicare and other health insurance benefits to seniors, the disabled, and caregivers. Trained volunteers are available at a number of locations throughout Maricopa County to provide free, personalized assistance. Services include:
* Information about Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans (HMOs, PPOs, etc.), Medicare Supplement plans (Medigap), and options under Medicare
* Assistance with Medicare appeals and problem resolutions
* Basic information on applying for Social Security, Medicare and SSI
* Information and assistance on Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage
* information on eligibility for low income related programs including Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Arizona Medicaid (AHCCCS), and the Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, and QI-1).
Benefits Assistance counselors do not sell and will not recommend one product over another. The program provides assistance and information to help clients make informed decisions.
Mark your calendar for Oct. 23. The program starts at 11 a.m. in the Eagle’s Nest Ballroom. Refreshments and admission are free, provided by your Kare Bears!
Abrazo Hospital tours schedule
Janis Korba
Kare Bears scheduled tours of Abrazo West Campus Hospital and Level 1 Trauma Center for the residents of PebbleCreek, which includes lunch in the boardroom with the CEO. In emergencies, seconds count, and we are fortunate to have this hospital within a few minutes driving time.
The tours and lunch are available for the first 14 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. The next tour will be Oct. 24.
We are not scheduling tours for November and December because of the holidays. Jan. 23 will be the first tour after the first of the year.
This is the nearest hospital to PebbleCreek offering a level 1 trauma center, an accredited chest pain center, cardiac arrest center, joint commission certified, primary stroke center with board certified physicians. Abrazo has the robotic surgical services using the de Vinci Surgical Platform, outpatient wound care and hyperbaric medicine.
We know you’ll enjoy this tour and lunch. The hospital has undergone tremendous new construction which we feel everyone will appreciate seeing. The day of the tour we need to be in the lobby of the main entrance located at 13677 W. McDowell Rd., just before 10 a.m.