Kare Bears Service Stats
Rayma Scalzo
Listed below are some statistics on what services Kare Bears provided in the month of May.
Amount of medical equipment loaned out:
* 62 items
Mileage driven to medically related appointments:
* 2,369 miles
Health & Wellness programs:
* Hearing tests—15
We gladly accept donations to maintain these services and other programs too. They can be made through our website at www.karebears.org. If you prefer to write a check, please make it payable to Kare-ing Neighbors, Inc. and send or deliver it to: 15383 W. Cheery Lynn Rd., Goodyear, AZ 85395. Thank you.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Marilynn Rebhun
Kare Bears is an organization of dedicated volunteer residents who are concerned about the health and welfare of our neighbors. We sponsor health and wellness events, health screenings, AED and CPR training, flu shots, FREE loan of medical equipment, and FREE transportation to non-emergency medical, dental, and therapy appointments. We also provide friendly visits and extensive reference materials during illness or loss.
It is important to let your friends and neighbors know about our services.
We need you to join our team and become a Kare Bear Unit Coordinator, particularly in the newer areas of PebbleCreek. If you are interested in lending a hand and can spare 2 to 3 hours a month, simply log on to the Kare Bears website at www.karebears.org, click on the volunteer tab, complete the interest form, and submit. Training is provided. It’s a great way to make new friends. To be able to give is a blessing.
A CPR/AED and basic first-aid training class will be held July 22 at PebbleCreek.
AED Update
Dee-Dee Patrick, MS, RN Director, Kare Bears’ Health & Wellness
AED stands for automated external defibrillator. It is a safe and easy-to-use device that delivers a therapeutic electric shock to the heart as treatment for a victim in sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). AEDs are mobile and often found in cabinets mounted on the walls of several of our buildings, much like a fire extinguisher. As mentioned in the May issue of the PebbleCreek Post, there are 18 AEDs in our community.
Why Do We Use AEDs?
During SCA the heart stops suddenly and in 90% of cases the heart goes into a fatal rhythm known as ventricular fibrillation (often referred to as VF or V Fib). The only treatment to correct ventricular fibrillation is to defibrillate the heart by applying an electric shock to it. AEDs can be used on a victim of any age by people with no medical training. The unit has a diagram showing the user where to apply the gel pads and audible prompts to assist including when to push the shock button.
Of course, it will make you more comfortable if you get hands-on practice in the use of these devices. AED training is now routine in CPR and First Aid certification classes and CPR renewal classes.
Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone at any time. People of all ages—from infants to teens to older adults—can experience sudden cardiac arrest without warning. This means a cardiac arrest emergency could happen to you or someone nearby while you’re out and about in PebbleCreek—whether exercising at the fitness center, playing sports, dining in a clubhouse restaurant, or just gathering socially with friends.
AED Facts and Statistics
* AEDs are easy to use.
* AEDs can be used on adults, children, and infants.
* AED usage within the first three minutes of SCA can increase survival rates over 80%.
* 383,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur annually in the U.S.
* 4 out of 5 cardiac arrests (88%) occur at home, so it’s likely that if you know CPR and have access to an AED you may save the life of a loved one.
* Less than 8% of people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of a hospital will survive.
* Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is present in almost 90% of adult cardiac arrest; the only way to stop VF is with a defibrillator.
* The sooner an AED is used the more likely it will work. A SCA victim loses 7% to 10% chance at survival for every minute after SCA that an AED is not used.
CPR/AED & Basic First-Aid Training at PebbleCreek
When: Friday, July 22, 2022, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Where: Palm Room, Eagle’s Nest Clubhouse
Register: Go to KareBears.org