Luncheon May 4
The first May meeting was a good one...even if the singing of Oh Canada was abysmal! Pres Marieze introduced our guests which included our speaker Laurie Myres, 'near members' Giselle and Althea and our youth exchange was well represented with past outbound student Tiana Smith and of course Camille.
Laurie is the Support and Education Coordinator for the S. Okanagan/Similkameen (Summerland to Rock Creek) for the Alzheimer Society of BC. She is an excellent speaker and obviously very invested in her role as evidenced by the member interest and number of questions. Laurie first defined the scale of disease in BC, currently at 70,000 that are known with another 30,000 that are not diagnosed or identified and while we think of Alzheimers as an 'old' persons disease, 10,000 of those are under 65. Alzheimers is the most common form of dementia, which is an overall term for symptoms caused by brain disorders and it is irreversible, destroying brain cells and causing cognitive abilities and memory to deteriorate.
She stressed that at the earliest signs of potential dementia, seek medical help to both define what the disease is and if appropriate start a drug program (one of 4 available) that could help in slowing down its progression. People can be very high functioning in the early stages.
Laurie suggested that all of us can initiate a brain health program ourselves..now. They include protecting the brain (helmets etc), challenging it (doing things differently), monitoring heath as in knowing your numbers ( blood, sugars etc) and exercising, staying social. Sounds like Rotary...except for the helmets.
We should have her back...note to the new Program Chair (Mike) and in the meantime check our their website at www.alzheimerbc.org.
One final note of interest is that the countries with the lowest incident rates of alzheimers are India and Pakistan and the notion is that there is a relationship with diet, so bulk up on your tumeric and cumin!
Tiana updated us on her time since Finland 4 year ago. She just completed her 3rd year at UVIC in kenisiology and has some upcoming decisions on specialization in her field. Great to see her back. Camille reported some prowess in soccer with 2 goals in the past week and then a goal in hockey...and she does not play either!
Linda won the 50/50 and yet again donated it to the S. African project. And speaking of that project, 3 toilets (of the 20) that we are sponsoring are being installed this month.
Following the meeting Marieze led an initial planning session for members thinking of travelling to S.Africa to inspect our international project. Looking very positive with 13 members/friends considering it, leaving later in January next year for 3 weeks.
Dates to note:
June 4th - Cactus Jalopies
June 11th - Rotary Golf Tournament
June 27th - Installation
July 1st - Pancake breakfast