Minutes of April 29, 2009 - Alzheimers Society

Posted by Jantine Stam 
 

Presided by: President Norm Narancsik

Attendance: Rama, Norm, Steve, John, Paul L, Peter VW, Paul T, Wim, Paul B, Keith, Al, Rick, Peter S, Doug and Jantine

Guests:  Visiting Rotarian Tom Hemsworth, and Guest Speaker Judi Restemeyer

Fines and Happy/Sad Bucks: Erik did a fine job fining those who went away on vacations, and fining those not wearing their name badges

Announcements:

May 9 - "Stand up for Mental Health".  This event uses stand up comedy as recovery for persons with mood disorders.  Cost is $30 a ticket.  See Norm is you would like tickets.

May 25 - Group Study Exchange (GSE) Team that returned from their exchange in Australia will be at the Tavistock Club.  We have decided to Cancel our meeting for May 27 to attend the Tavistock meeting.  $20 for tickets.  6:30 social, 6:45 dinner at the Legion in Tavistock.

 

July 22 - "Kick of the Cat" Summer Meeting at Peter VanWees' Place.  All are invited.  Mark your calendar and RSVP to Peter.

GSE Team from Korea - Rama has volunteered to organize our club's participation with the GSE Visit

May 5 - Ryla Meeting in Orangeville

Fish Fry - Erik spoke a little on the Fish Fry, but will have more details following the Fish Fry Committee's meeting.  WDDS had a successful silent auction which supported their summer camp.  Thank you to all those who helped out!!!

Speaker:  Judi Restemeyer from the Alzheimer Society of Oxford

Judi has been on staff at the Alzheimer Society as an Education Coordinator since 1995.  She has attended Ryerson University, Conestoga College, St. Frances Xavier University, Algonquin College for her studies in Nursing, Adult Education and Dementia to name a few. 

Alzheimer's disease is a disease which attacks the brain and results in symptoms such as: loss of memory; judgment and reasoning; changes in mood, personality, language abilities and behaviour; and inability to perform everyday activities.

  • for 103 years we've had a name for Alzheimer's Disease
  • the life expectancy in 1900 was 41, not it's in the 80's
  • the #1 risk factor for Alzheimer's Disease is increasing age
  • there is no test today to diagnose this disease accuratly while a person is still alive
  • people were living with this disease behind closed doors and keeping silent about it
  • in 1978 the 1st Alzheimer's Society formed to help families coping with these diseases
  • in the 1980's, research enters the picture
  • inthe 1990's some genetic links to Alzheimers.  5.7 out of 100 people who have Alzheimers are because of a genetic link which is less than 10%
  • Alzheimer's turns chemicals in the brain poisonous to other brain cells
  • 1992 the first gene identified that causes Alzheimers
  • 1997 the 1st drug available to treat people with
  • within the last 12 years, 4 more drugs became available
  • 1999 researchers developed brain inflamation drug testing, they are still working on the vaccine
  • 2004 the last drug was introduced
  • 2005 received a 3 million grant to do more research
  • when they diagnose Alzheimers, it's only a probably diagnosis by observation
  • if they can reduce strokes, people with Alzheimer's Disease have less severe symptoms
  • the Alzheimer's Society encourages a healthy lifestyle by staying active, not smoking or drinking, and taking care of yourself
  • at the Alzheimer's Society of Oxford, there are over 500 clients
  • people normally live with this disease for 8-10 years, however is can be many more years

Thanks for coming out Judi and informing us.  It was a great presentation and you answered a lot of our questions.  Please check out their website if you have any questions.  http://www.alzheimer.oxford.on.ca

Next Week's Speaker - the inbound exchange student from Thailand will be speaking on Wednesday May 6.  He's being hosted by the Woodstock Rotary Club.  Please join us if you are interested in youth exchange and learning about the life and culture in Thailand.