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Metering Package Postage

Thu, July 1, 2021 Published by

The Welcome Center staff would like to announce some changes when it comes to mailing packages and our new postage meter. The USPS has changed the way the meter figures the postage on packages. Unlike our last machine it only went by weight; however, our new one is both weight and size. With that, we would like to encourage the use of flat rate shipping boxes (small, medium, and large) as they can be cheaper than using regular boxes and to help bypass the input of dimensions making the process quicker. We are happy to provide any size box we have available without charge aside for the postage.

As a reminder, the USPS has announced increased postage rates starting August 29th.

List of price increase:

  • Standard Letters: .58
  • Metered Letter: .53
  • Postcards: .40
  • Certified Mail: 3.75
  • Return Receipt: 3.05

National Mental Health Month

Sun, May 26, 2019 Published by

May is National Mental Health Month, and it gives us an opportunity to address issues surrounding mental health and our community. One of the most common conditions that affects many of us at one time or another is depression.

Depression is more than ordinary sadness that comes and goes; although we sometimes use the word in a more casual sense, depression also manifests itself as more than a passing blue mood. Although depression is not an “expected” part of aging, it can accompany life changes that are common to the aging process, such as the death of a partner or friends, physical illness and other life changes.

It’s important to know that help is always available, whether you are feeling down for a day or find yourself in a more persistent state. While sometimes mood can be improved by taking a walk, listening to music, or talking with a friend, there may be times when more intervention is needed.

One group of local professionals is the Crisis Response Network. Available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, their trained counselors are there to listen. Your call is confidential, and they can help by problem solving with whatever situation you present. They are there with the “Hot Line” to help if you have thoughts of suicide, but also have a “Warm Line” if you just need to talk to someone confidentially. The Crisis Response Network Crisis Line can be reached at 602-222-9444.

You can also reach out to our Campus staff with whom you have a good rapport, or to those who have had the Mental Health First-Aid Training course. As the name suggests, the “first-aid” training helps staff evaluate whether you would benefit from a more involved professional intervention, and they may, in turn, suggest calling the Crisis Response Network. The Crisis Response Network can send a team of professionals your way, at no charge, to do a more detailed interview. There are no flashing lights or emergency vehicles, just two “plain clothes” mental health counselors. They may offer either in-patient or out-patient support groups, connected with behavioral health networks, to address more persistent needs. This process lets you be in charge of how much help you want, and when you want it. Whether your feelings of depression are temporary or long term, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the support that is available.

Campus Responders with Mental Health First-Aid Training:

Rev. Peggy Roberts, Sr. VP of Spiritual Life, x16109.

Rev. Andrew Moore, Associate Chaplain, x18481.

Josephine Levy, Success Matters Resource Navigator x16117.

Crisis Response Network Crisis Line (602) 222-9444.

Beatitudes Campus Town Hall

Mon, May 13, 2019 Published by

Prior to the Town Hall Meeting, a Celebration of Life was held to honor the memory of Rev. Dr. Culver “Bill” H. Nelson, D.D., LHD, the beloved founder of Beatitudes Campus. Michelle Just, President and CEO, Dosia Carlson and Leroy Calbom spoke of the outstanding leadership, vision and community service that exemplified Dr. Nelson’s life. The Life Center was filled with grateful residents honoring Dr. Nelson with their presence.

David Ragan, Sr. VP of Resident Services, welcomed residents and especially some residents who were attending a Town Hall for the first time. He noted that years ago, when he attended national meetings, Beatitudes Campus was the standard in residential care and Dr. Nelson’s leadership was legendary.

Michelle Just was delighted with Mayor Kate Gallego’s Proclamation stating that May, 2019 is Older Americans Month. The Proclamation explained that President Kennedy recognized seniors 60 years and older in 1963. Beatitudes Campus began in 1965 and was one of the first Senior Independent Living and Health Care Residences in the nation. Beatitudes Campus has served 17,000 older adults since its beginning. The watchwords for Older Americans Month are connect, create and contribute.

During the April 10th meeting, six of the eleven standing committees and three of the six building Senior Representatives reported. Of significant interest: Community Relations reported that the Campus is providing volunteers to Maryland School and five scholarships to Washington High School students; Health and Wellness conducted a seminar “Money Matters” in March, will be doing a workshop in April entitled “Ready, Set and Go”, and have planned a five part program “Behind the Curtain” in July and August; preparations are being made for the Earth Day “Protect” march and program, April 26th.

David Ragan announced that the new battery operated leaf blowers have been ordered and will soon be seen around campus. The gas powered blowers will still be used around the edges of the campus, but responding to the wishes of residents, battery operated blowers will be used in the other areas of the campus and are a worthwhile investment.

David introduced Zack Coronado from the Mobile Valley Physicians group which will be offering an on-site clinic here on Campus, beginning July 1st. Zack explained that the group was established three years ago in the East Valley. Through strategic growth, they now have over 1000 patients and are happy to have the opportunity to show residents the quality of services they provide. For the next 60 days, we will see Zack and his associates around campus explaining the process for registering for the clinic and how it will work. The group has contracts with over 60 insurance companies and can OK your insurance when you provide them with your insurance card. Whether you currently have a physician you are happy with or not, it is advisable to sign up for the Mobile Valley Physicians clinic so that you can use it if you are ill and cannot get an immediate appointment with your own doctor. Mary Rihani, a family nurse practitioner who is board certified in Adult-Gerontology, will be the attending physician in the clinic here on Campus. If you wish, Mary will visit you in your apartment to provide medical services. The Clinic will be located in the Plaza South building where Dr. Mawyer practiced. New patient registration forms for Mobile Valley Physicians can be picked up at the Welcome Center desk.

Gabi Holberg, Assistant Director of I.L., introduced Louis Molina from Unique Lab Services who will be offering blood lab services here on campus. Louis said that his group has contracts with Labcorp and Sonora Quest and is able to take all insurances. The lab will be open from 8:30—9:30AM on Wednesday mornings in the Recreation Center. Bring your lab orders and insurance card to the Clinic. Louis is willing to go to a resident’s apartment after 9:30AM to collect blood if a resident does not want to have it collected in the Recreation Center. Call 480-765-2677 for an in-home visit or for more information. As David quipped—“if you want a nice guy to stick it to you, Louis is the guy.”

Jessica Myer, Director of Success Matters, noted that May is Better Speech and Hearing Month. A handout on tips and tricks for improving your communication with hearing loss is available from the Success Matters office. Jessica said that Mark Pelkey is starting a Hearing Loss and Resource Group. If you are interested in joining this group, contact Mark at x15586. Josephine Levy, Resource Navigator for Success Matters, talked about the Tip of the Month: Living Will vs. Last Will and Testament. She explained that a Living Will is a health care document outlining your wishes for end of life care. A Last Will and Testament is a document that specifies what you want done with your assets (property). Residents should work with an attorney on this document and Josephine can assist you in finding an attorney.

Director of Life Enrichment, Jon Schilling, announced that Adi Muñoz will be the new CAREcorps Volunteer Coordinator and will be transitioning from the Welcome Center to her new position. Didi Cruz, Life Enrichment Specialist, provided residents with a list of the upcoming off campus events. They include a morning outing at the Desert Botanical Garden on Tuesday, May 14th at 9:00AM for a free self-guided tour; tour of the Prisma Printing Company on Friday, May 17th at 9:30AM. Call x12905 to reserve your seat on the bus for these tours and for the lunch outings on Friday, May 24th to IronWorks Restaurant. Didi also announced that the Gaming Connection Debut will take place on Wednesday morning, May 22nd at 10:00AM in the Life Center. For those who play games, this is your opportunity to understand how you will be able to connect with other residents who are playing the games you like to play. Don’t miss out on this awesome new amenity.

Fitness Specialist, Mike Smallwood, discussed a Silver Sneakers article on Sadness vs. Depression. When you are sad, you can usually trace the cause to something going on in your life or maybe a negative memory from the past. With depression, the negative feeling sticks around for a while, most of the day, every day, for weeks at a time. Five ways to start feeling better include, get moving through exercise, meditating, spending time outside in nature, fostering close relationships with friends and family and making daily lists of what you are grateful for. If you experience negative feelings for more than two to four weeks, it is time to talk to your doctor. Mike noted that the “Strictly Strength” class is meeting in the Fitness Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11:00AM. Morning and Midday Motions with Mike take place on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9:30AM, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1PM in Plaza View on the 3rd floor. The Tai Chi Class with Carol-Ann is at 11:00AM on Tuesdays and 11:45AM on Thursdays in the Recreation Center. The Basketball Bounce Game meets every Monday from 1:30 to 2:30PM in Agelink 2. The lucky B-Fit winner for May is Farrell Kenimer.

David reminded residents that anyone utilizing Beatitudes Guest WiFi must use the new password which can be obtained from the Welcome Center. The new password is part of the WiFi hard-wired into resident apartments and does not require residents to make changes to their apartment WiFi. David also reminded residents that the Community Channel has been changed to 1-1. It is still the default when you turn on the TV. Residents may listen to upcoming events that are listed in the Roadrunner by dialing 19756 at any time.

Remember the Hootenanny occurs every Wednesday evening at 5:45PM in the Life Center. It’s free and a great place to bring your friends and enjoy the music. Also, Sundaes with Dave will be on May 15th from 2 to 4PM in the Plaza Bistro. Come enjoy a free yogurt Sundae and chat with David if you have thoughts to share. Again, many thanks to Gregory’s Fresh Market for their service to the Beatitudes and hundreds of people throughout the Valley. Best wishes for a happy and patriotic Memorial Day to all our residents.

The next Town Hall will be on June 5th at 2:00PM in the Life Center. Come and find out what is happening on our vibrant Campus!

Radical Hospitality

Sun, March 31, 2019 Published by

Radical: “out of the ordinary,” “revolutionary”, favoring extreme changes in existing views, habits, conditions, or institutions.  Hospitality: generous and friendly treatment of visitors and guests.  Put them together and you are part of a movement that began a few years back but is still every bit of who we are as a community.

What does it mean for us to have someone we have never met and has no relationship to us – in other words, a stranger – being treated by every single one of us at Beatitudes Campus with not just politeness, but overwhelming “revolutionary” generosity?  It is radical!

Back when I served a church, I had a relationship with a Samoan United Church of Christ Congregation where I was invited to preach.  I did not realize at the time that, in their culture, the minister was considered the descendent of what once was the Chief of all of Samoa.  Consequently, ministers are treated like royalty today.  That was a new experience for me to be sure.  I am not saying I have been mistreated as a clergyperson – except for some hate mail now and then from some justice issues I stood for.  Being treated like royalty, though, was not an experience I was accustomed to in the American church.  But at this church I was showered with a plate of food so big that it was a weeks’ worth in one sitting.  (After a stomach ache later, I learned that it is permissible to take some home.)  I was given gift after gift including every member and child giving dollar bills or more to me as I was seated in front of them – and not just once but numerous times by each.  It was an experience that I will never forget and a people I will always cherish.

What was amazing to me was how authentic and heartfelt it was; it was their culture but it was also them.  There was such a deep feeling of sincerity in their gestures that it moved me deeply.  It was the most radical of all hospitality experiences I have ever happened upon.

I want you to feel that way here at Beatitudes Campus.  I want to feel that way.  I want all staff to feel that same way when they are around you and me.  I want every guest, volunteer, visitor, prospective resident, family member or stranger to have a radical hospitality experience.  There is not a person in the community, from any faith, any race, any sexual orientation, any gender who is not worthy of our most radical of all welcomes.   It is how everybody deserves to feel when they walk into our Beatitudes Community.  It is a spiritual experience when it happens, and I look forward to continuing to work with you to make sure it does here (ok, minus the money—no tipping policy, you know).

Money Matters

Sun, March 17, 2019 Published by

Ever wonder how all the pieces of your financial puzzle fit together? Join us Friday, March 22nd at 1:00PM in the Agelink Great Room (AGR) for an informational panel to address the financial questions that are most relevant to residents.

Our panel features professionals on issues large and small that impact our daily lives and our long-term well-being. Panel members include Allen Bloch, Chief Financial Officer of Beatitudes Campus; Ellen Dean, Financial Planner; Laurel Hickok, CPA and Daily Money Manager; and Megan Selvey, Bivens and Associates Elder Law Attorney.

While money is important to us at any age, it can become even more so as we grow older. Demographic changes mean we are living longer after retirement, and funding those decades of longer life can be a challenge. Social Security is the primary source of income for many older adults, and about one-third of retired people rely on Social Security for over 90 percent of their income.

Additionally, questions about long-term care costs, money management, and frauds and scams have become part of our daily conversations. Concerns about escalating health care costs can also cause us to worry, which, incidentally, can negatively impact our health.

The format of our panel will include a brief self-introduction by panelists, to be followed with moderated questions that address central themes, and will conclude with questions from the audience.

Topics of interest will include:

Money and family: “How do I know if it is still ok to give money to my adult children? Should I add them to my bank account? Should I co-sign a loan?” 

Personal finance: “I expect to live twenty more years, but my money only expects to live about five more years. What is available to help people like me?” “Should I keep my life insurance policy?”

Long Term Care: “Why does my long-term care insurance premium keep going up? Are there ways to lower the premium without losing benefits? How do people afford higher levels of care on Campus?”

Legal issues: “Do I need a will even if I am not wealthy?” “I’m confused about what a durable power of attorney means. Should I have one?” “Should I file for bankruptcy?”

Our panel is brought to you by the Health and Wellness Committee and Success Matters. We hope you can join us on Friday, March 22nd, at 1:00PM in the Agelink Great Room.

 

Arizona State Retirement System Changes

Sun, February 10, 2019 Published by

Are you an Arizona State Retiree who gets health insurance through your retirement plan? This year the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) announced a change in one segment of its retiree health insurance.

ASRS has traditionally had two plans to choose from: they offered both an HMO Plan (Medicare Part C) and a Medicare Senior Supplement (Original Medicare with Part B Supplement, also called a Medigap plan). If you previously had Medicare coverage through the ASRS HMO Plan, these new changes do not affect you. If, however, you had Original Medicare with a Senior Supplement through ASRS, the 2019 changes will affect your coverage.

Both ASRS plans rely on “passive enrollment,” which is a convenient way for people to keep their current plan from year to year. This year, however, retirees who had the Senior Supplement Plan (not the HMO) were passively enrolled out of Original Medicare and into a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) through UnitedHealthcare (the same insurer who provides coverage for the HMO beneficiaries).

The “behind the scenes” problem with this change is that retirees were not informed that by enrolling in a Medicare Advantage Plan, they would lose “guaranteed issue” to future Supplement / Medigap policies. Guaranteed issue means that you have the right to buy a policy without medical underwriting, which can lead to denials of coverage or inflated prices based on age and health conditions. Another concern is that the new lower premiums, while attractive, are due to a temporary rate adjustment, and future costs may not remain low.

How might this affect you? Both our contracted outpatient services through OASIS and our Campus Home Health program accept Original Medicare but not Advantage Plans (HMOs or PPOs), with the exception of Home Health accepting UHC Community and UHC Dual Complete (AHCCCS). For example, if you are a retired teacher previously on the ASRS Senior Supplement Plan, you are now on a PPO Plan. You may have had physical therapy on campus as an outpatient, or through the campus Home Health service. Now, however, you will not be covered and will need to seek outpatient services off campus, and Home Health from an outside agency.

SHIP Medicare Counselors believe individuals can get better coverage at a better price by remaining on Original Medicare with a Supplement and Part D coverage. The new deadline to change your Medicare coverage from the new PPO to Original Medicare with a supplement is March 3rd, 2019.

If you are affected by this change, and wish to speak to a Medicare counselor about making a change, please let Josephine know no later than February 15th at x16117.

Quarterly Air Filter Change

Sun, January 27, 2019 Published by

Please be advised, Maintenance Technicians will be in all residential buildings—Central Park North, Central Park South, Central Park West, Plaza North & South, Plaza View and the Health Care Center. On Thursday, Jan 31st, between 8:00AM and 5:00PM, to change out the air filters in all resident homes. Due to the size of this task, Maintenance is unable to provide a specific time for the filter change.  If you would like to be home when Maintenance changes your air filter, please adjust your schedule accordingly.

 

Moving Offices

Sun, October 28, 2018 Published by

In a letter written in 1789, Benjamin Franklin wrote that “Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Franklin popularized that idiom, which has oft been used ever since, but recently I have been aware of another inescapable aspect of life – moving house. Some of us have moved internationally. Perhaps others have been deployed at a moments notice to a place hitherto unknown. Some will have lived in places for many years, others have moved around more frequently. Whatever our individual experiences, we all know something of the experience of packing up, sorting out, moving boxes filled with our treasures; and then doing it all again in reverse. In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes… and moving. All of the moves that I have made have been times of excitement amidst change, and that is certainly true of this latest one, which has been taking place this week.

The eagle-eyed among you may have noticed that there have been some changes in where you can now find the members of the Spiritual Life Department.

Chaplain Peggy has moved into her new office on the ground floor of Plaza View (Assisted Living), Chaplain Andrew will be moving from his current office (next to the Life Center) into Peggy’s old office (just East of the Boardrooms), and Kimberly (our Spiritual Life Department Administrative Assistant) will be moving into Andrew’s old office. Following the feedback which we have heard from residents, desiring a space for quiet contemplation and prayer, Kimberly’s office will become our new Meditation Space. Our telephone numbers and extensions will be remaining the same. We are all excited about these moves, and particularly about having a more permanent presence among our Assisted Living residents and staff.

We look forward to continuing to serve you in whatever ways we can from our new locations, as well as seeing familiar and new faces at our doors. Come and visit us!*

Thermometer or Thermostat

Tue, January 24, 2017 Published by

Are you a thermometer or a thermostat?  It’s a question Jesus would ask even though they didn’t have them in that day.  How many say thermometer?  Thermostat?  How many say what the heck am I talking about?  A thermometer reflects its environment; it shows what the temperature is – if it’s hot outside, it says it’s hot; if it’s cold, it says it’s cold.  A thermometer is in a constant state of fluctuation. It can be “up” and “down” within hours. It is a reactionary instrument. It is informational, relaying valuable news to the reader, but lacking the ability to change that news. It exerts no influence on what’s around it – rather it is influenced by it.  It doesn’t take much to be a thermometer—all you have to do is be agreeable.  All you have to do is to go along with what everyone else wants.  All you have to do is think of your own comfort and ease.  When others around you are joking – all you need to do is to be quiet, to not make waves – you may even join with them in a gentle put down.  How many times are we caught up in thermometer life? God did not intend us to be mere thermometers.  Paul said, “Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”  He knew how easy it is to just reflect the world around us, allow our lives to be influenced by life’s temperature around us. A Peanuts cartoon shows Peppermint Patty talking to Charlie Brown.  She says, “Guess what, Chuck.  The first day of school and I got sent to the principal’s office.  It was your fault, Chuck.”  He says, “My fault?  How could it be my fault?  Why do you say everything is my fault?”  She says, “You’re my friend, aren’t you Chuck?  You should have been a better influence on me.”  Peppermint Patty has a thing or two to learn about personal responsibility but she has a point.  We do have an influence, for good or bad, on our friends, on our family, on those around us.

There is value in gauging and knowing what the temperature is around you; what people are thinking and saying. It can be helpful to know the current conditions that influence our society. But we are not just in the news reporting business. We can make news and create history. We  can be thermostats, take initiative in changing what is wrong in the world.  A thermostat has power, it sets the temperature, it changes things.  Someone who lives a thermostat life is an influencer. It is well connected and cannot function alone. It has a power source to activate it and sends electronic messages to a furnace that supplies enough heat to raise the temperature in the room. The thermostat is set to a determined temperature regardless of room environment. It is in partnership with a furnace that can cause real change.  We can be influencers or we can simply speak of how bad things are.  We can lament the state of things and do nothing or we can become a catalyst for real and lasting change.  Are you a thermostat or a thermometer?

 

New Phone System and Frequently Asked Questions

Fri, August 5, 2016 Published by

Here at Beatitudes Campus, we provide a FREE phone service to all residents, including a phone number, voicemail, call forwarding, call waiting and Caller ID. We are able to do this by owning and operating our own phone system. This ownership requires that we continually perform upgrades to stay up to date and avoid extended outages. We have just completed such an upgrade, and are working through the kinks generally associated with revamping 750 phones in a mostly 50 year old wiring infrastructure.

I was asked the question today, “Why did we make this change if things were working good in the first place?” Well, our previous phone system was a digital/analog Nortel Meridian 61C that was in service here  for 13 years and served our community very well. When an electronic piece of equipment that you rely upon very heavily on a daily basis becomes that old, you enter a time frame where there’s a risk of catastrophic failure. If that were to happen, all 750 phones would stop working with no clear idea of how soon repairs could be made. So, with that said, our new system is a Mitel My Voice Business system and utilizes the most up-to-date telecommunication technology called Voice Over IP or “VoIP” for short. Due to some backwards compatibility equipment, we’ve enabled our residents to continue using the analog phones that they’re used to. However, as with all technological advances—there is change.

I would like to point out some of the more prominent changes that you, as residents, will need to learn and get used to. Our goal is to help you transition through these changes and be able to utilize the new systems comfortably. Here are the most common frequently asked questions (FAQs):

How do I dial an on-campus extension?

  • Simply add a “1” to the old extension and dial all 5 numbers. Ex: 2611 = 12611
  • Please note that dialing “0” does not require a 1.
  • A new resident directory reflecting these changes will be distributed soon.

How do I dial an off campus number?

  • Dial a 7 to access an outside line and then dial the full 10 digit number. Ex: 602-995-2611.
  • All off campus dialing will require the full 10 digit number to be dialed—even 602.
  • Don’t forget to change your speed dials.

How do I know I have voicemail or an answering machine?

  • If you retrieve your messages by pushing a button on your phone base, you have an answering machine.
  • If you retrieve your messages by calling a number and pressing buttons on your phone, you have voicemail.

How do I access voicemail?

  • Dial *86 on your phone to access and set up your new voicemail box and greeting.
  • If you dial *86 and get a wrong number recording, you’re not set up for voicemail on our system and need to call in a work request to have voicemail added for you.

How do I forward my phone to another phone?

  • Dial *355 then 7 and then the full 10 digit number. Ex: *355, 7, 602-995-2611.
  • To cancel forwarding, dial *350 and hang up.

Everyone should have received a copy of the “Beatitudes Campus Resident Technology Services Resource Guide.” This guide explains all technology services offered to residents. If you do not have one, there will be copies available at the Welcome Center in the Nelson Administration Building and at the Information Station in Town Plaza. If you have experienced any problems with your service, please know that we are working diligently to restore all service back to 100% and we apologize for any inconvenience. If you haven’t already, please call to place a work request for your concerns. *