Elder Law Attorney to speak to Kare Bears
Kare Bears would like you to join us on Wednesday, April 15 at 11:00 a.m. at the Eagle’s Nest Ballroom for an informative talk by Stephanie A. Bivens, a Certified Elder Law Attorney. Her talk will provide information on how to plan for optimal financial and medical issues related to aging!
Ms. Bivens is a Phoenix native who received her law degree, cum laude, from Arizona State University. She has practiced law for over 18 years, focusing her practice on estate planning, elder law and special needs planning. She is recognized as having special knowledge and experience in the field of elder law and is one of fewer than 500 attorneys nationwide certified by the National Elder Law Foundation, recognized by the National Bar Association and accredited by the State Bar of Arizona. She and her law firm, Bivens & Associates, continue to focus on the needs of seniors, disabled persons and their families. Ms. Bivens is a frequent speaker on elder law issues for the State Bar of Arizona, Maricopa County Bar Association and other organizations.
Health, money and aging are predominant issues weighing on the minds of seniors and baby boomers. Most people just worry, but why not plan? As Ben Franklin said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” If you have done estate planning you probably really only considered how to leave your assets to your heirs.
This seminar, however, will go beyond the basics of estate planning in the event of death. This seminar will focus on estate planning and elder law issues you must understand to plan for optimal financial and medical outcomes and peace of mind during your life. Learn what you really need to know and how to practically plan for issues that often arise with living, also known as aging.
For example, what would happen if you had a sudden illness or disability and could no longer direct your own medical care or handle your own financial matters for some period of time? Are your power of attorney documents adequate and will they really work when put to the test? What if you needed home health, assisted living or memory care? Despite common misconception, Medicare does not cover long term care. Could you afford it? Do you know how you could preserve your assets against the cost of such care? Do you have the right support system in place in case of emergency? Would your family even know where to begin if they had to help you with these issues?
With good fortune, we will all be old someday. So isn’t it best to know what to expect and plan for all contingencies? Ms. Bivens is an experienced elder law and estate planning attorney with over 18 years’ experience assisting individuals and their families navigate the unique life issues of aging; come learn from her experience!
Also, in honor of Kare Bears celebrating our 20th Anniversary, we will be giving away a raffle prize.
Left to right are some of the Past Presidents of Kare Bears: Rayma Scalzo, Patti Wegehaupt, Laura Measles and Arlis Legler.
Kare Bears honors past presidents
Sue White
This year Kare Bears is celebrating 20 years of service to PebbleCreek residents! As part of this celebration all the Kare Bears Past Presidents were honored at the Kare Bears monthly meeting on February 18.
Past Presidents are Rayma Scalzo, Marlene Walker, Mary Becker, Patti Wegehaupt, Jim Reynolds, Linda Bolon, Laura Measles and Arlis Legler.
Kare Bears thanks all of our Past Presidents for their dedication to Kare Bears and the PebbleCreek Community.
Kare Bears April events
April 14: AED/CPR Class at 12:30 p.m. at Tuscany Falls Ballroom
April 15: Monthly Meeting with Speaker at 11:00 a.m. at Eagle’s Nest Ballroom
April 23: Tour of The Groves
April 28: AARP Safe Driving Class at 8:30 a.m. in the Sienna Room at Tuscany Falls
Mary Couzens (left) presents donations, received from PebbleCreek residents that attended a concert sponsored by Mary Couzens Realty, to the President of Kare Bears, Mary McMahon.
Mary Couzens Realty collects donations
Sue White
Mary Couzens Realty recently sponsored a free concert by the PebbleRock Band for PebbleCreek residents. Those attending gave donations for the tickets. These donations were presented to Mary McMahon, president of Kare Bears, at the February monthly meeting by Mary Couzens.
Kare Bears wishes to thank Mary Couzens Realty for facilitating this donation and also a thank you to all PebbleCreek residents who attended the concert and made a donation.
We could not do what we do without all of your support!
Did you know?
Sue White
Kare Bears would like to thank the PebbleCreek Ceramics Club for firing over 100 coffee mugs for us. Thank you for using your unique talents and equipment to support Kare Bears.
Kare Bears recently purchased three AED units for the Ballpark, the Eagle’s Nest Guardhouse and the Pickleball Courts. Through the generosity of many PebbleCreek neighbors we were able to purchase these.
On Thursday, April 23 Kare Bears is sponsoring another assisted living and memory care facility tour at The Groves. It is located on the northeast corner of PebbleCreek Parkway and Virginia. The tour and lunch start at 11:30 a.m. The Groves is a lovely facility close to PebbleCreek and will be ready for residents the first of April. Please call the Kare Bears House at 536-1200 if interested.
Are you looking for a Prostate Cancer Support Group? Well, you are not alone. The SCW Prostate Cancer Support Group meets on the second Thursday of the month at Lord of Life Lutheran Church (northeast corner of Meeker and R.H. Johnson) at 9:00 a.m. For more information call Ray Kamka at 623-546-7128.
AARP Safe Driving Class April 22
Sue White
An AARP Safe Driving Class will be held on Tuesday, April 28, 2015, from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. in the Sienna 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 carrier. It is well worth the time and cost. A certificate of completion will be distributed at the end of the class.
A signup 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.
AED/CPR Class April 14
Sue White
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 Tuesday, April 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The AED/CPR – 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 AZ Pro CPR & First Aid LLC at the beginning of the 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 536-1200.
Recent donations
Sue White
The Kare Bears Board of Directors wishes to acknowledge the following donations received in February.
The following non-campaign donations were received from the following residents: James and Arlene Martin; Mary Couzens Realtors; Steven and Rebecca Chealander; Gerald and Belva Curtright; Robert and Barbara Gilman.
Memorial contributions were received in memory of Jackie Halvorson from the following: Michael and Donna Wisnoski; Dennis and Nancy Stara; Guy and Rebecca Sternal; Gary and Janet Solberg.
A complete list of all resident donations can be found on the Kare Bears website, www.KareBears.org.
The generosity and thoughtfulness of these residents will enable Kare Bears to continue to serve the needs of our PebbleCreek neighbors.