The 2024 Source Book Will Soon Be Delivered!
Tracey Schryver
Kare Bears volunteers will be delivering your 2024 Source Book and community map. We anticipate the delivery in mid to late February. Each household will receive one book and map that will be left in a plastic bag by the front door. After the home delivery takes place, additional copies will be available at the Kare Bears’ house.
Updated delivery information will be made available through PebbleNews, the Kare Bears’ website and Facebook page, as well as on the egroup.
For those of you who have offered to help deliver this year’s Source Book, you will receive an email with all the details you need once a delivery date has been determined. Thank you once again for offering your time in order to make the distribution of the Source Book possible.
Once the distribution has taken place, we ask that you retrieve the book as soon as possible so that it is not laying around outside. Remember, both the book and map are a wonderful resource to each of you. Should you have any questions, please email Laurel Prom at [email protected].
Health Fair Returns!
Tracey Schryver
It’s been quite some time, but finally following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Health Fair is returning to PebbleCreek! This popular event will take place on Saturday, Feb. 10 from 9 a.m. until noon in the Eagle’s Nest Ballroom.
The Health Fair is a wonderful opportunity for our residents to meet medical and dental professionals as well as allied healthcare services. This event is free of charge to all residents. Don’t forget to mark your calendar!
PebbleCreek Hearing Evaluation Clinic
Kathy Koncel, Kare Bears Director of Health & Wellness
Every day we hear thousands of sounds. Hearing loss may happen gradually over time and may just be accepted as a ‘fact of getting older.’ Oftentimes, it goes unnoticed. However, hearing loss can make the brain work harder, straining to hear and fill in the gaps. This may be at the expense of other brain functions. A recent long-term study done by John Hopkins University showed that for older adults with hearing loss, the use of hearing aids was able to reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
With this in mind, Kare Bears is pleased to collaborate with Ascent Audiology to conduct a free Hearing Evaluation Clinic on Friday, Feb. 9 from 8 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. in the Tuscany Falls Palmero Room.
To register, please go to karebears.org, click on the drop-down arrow next to EVENTS at the top of the page, then select Hearing Clinic. There are limited appointment spots available, so register early.
Kare Bears Welcomes a New Board
Tracey Schryver
The start of this year welcomed new Kare Bears board members. The new team is led by President Mai Nacht along with Co-Presidents Laurel Prom and Barbara Harvey. Other board members include Secretary Nicki Forbes Robinson and Treasurer Karen Doster. The Health and Wellness Team is run by Kathy Koncel and Pat Engelmann. Mark Pelletier continues to be the head of tech services.
This new board is looking forward to many exciting things happening but also wishes to give a heartfelt thank you to the previous board members as follows: Tom Meek—President, Maureen Plate—2nd VP, Carolyn Moore—Secretary, Mai Nacht—Health and Wellness, Mark Pelletier—IT.
Let’s Hear It for Kare Bears!
Tracey Schryver
Many of you have heard about the Kare Bears’ House, but you may not realize what these wonderful volunteers actually accomplish. Last year alone, the 78 office volunteers worked almost 3,000 hours loaning equipment, scheduling rides and answering phone calls all for the residents of PebbleCreek.
Our 40 drivers hit the road for a total of almost 25,000 miles while volunteering their time for 817 trips. Residents were taken to and from their medical appointments without having to worry about transportation.
Residents were also loaned 795 pieces of equipment including canes, wheelchairs, walkers, and knee scooters. These pieces of equipment were all loaned free of charge.
Not only does Kare Bears provide these services, but they also set up screening clinics for vaccines, hearing, and early detection of skin cancer. A physical therapist joined us for a balance and mobility baseline. Finally, Kare Bears also scheduled an angioscreen program to detect stroke and heart attack.
Whether you’ve benefited or not from the Kare Bears’ programs and offerings, the volunteers certainly deserve a round of applause. Thank you, Kare Bears!