Dementia Care - A Global Continuum
By Dr. Randy Bjork

Dr. Bjork

Our guest presenter was Randall J. Bjork, M.D., Board Certified, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology from Colorado Springs. What was anticipated to be a "downer" presentation on Alzheimer's turned out to be a very upbeat discussion of aging. As Dr. Bjork stated, aging is not a disease, but rather another stage of life.  All things age, and those who attain an advanced age should be celebrated as survivors!

Alzheimer's disease and other dementia currently affect 5.4 million Americans, and is expected to become a consideration for us "baby boomers" over the next 10-20 years as we age. The good news, however, and despite the recent media hype, is that Alzheimer's disease remains uncommon in the aging population and there is no current or expected epidemic! Alzheimer's disease and other dementia are a normal part of the aging process. Classic Alzheimer's disease occurs in a fraction of the population in people who are 65 years and older.

With that understood, Dr. Bjork went on to describe his idea for addressing the fact of aging and the normalcy of a certain percentage of the population living with Alzheimer disease. It is clearly understood that no one wants to live in a nursing home; and doctors should do things for, and not to, patients.

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Next, it is a responsibility of a moralistic society to provide palliative care for its most vulnerable older citizens suffering from dementia in all its forms. Palliative care's components include providing comfort, hygiene, dignity, a safe place to live and to have the freedom from responsibility. Dr. Bjork then provided a vision of what this palliative environment might look like.

Congratulations to RF Smith who drew a blue and won $44 in the Progressive Drawing and donated it back to the Rocky Mountain Youth Leadership Conference.

Steve Parker thanked committee members - Gov Vaughn, Ron Heard, Al Wolfe, Al Brown - for their continued efforts recruiting corporate sponsors. If you would like to become a corporate sponsor or know of a business that would be interested, please contact one of the committee members.
 

Larry Adams thanked Mike Wicklund for forging past successful years as the Project Manager with Salvation Army Bell Ringing. Larry will be the new Project Manager and is implementing some changes including Assistant Project Managers, Facebook page, and more - stay tuned!!

Watt Hill

 

Watt Hill displayed a copy of the Military Order of the World Wars March edition of Officers Review Magazine which featured the Rocky Mountain Youth Leadership Conference 2011 as the cover story. The lead paragraph stated: "The 19th Annual Rocky Mountain Youth Leadership Conference hosted 112 students from 29 Colorado high schools on Colorado State University- Pueblo campus. The Monument Hill Kiwanis Club and individual members graciously fully-funded 59 student scholarships, 29 students were sponsored by Companions of the Order, and others were sponsored by organizations and individuals who support YLC goals."

 

Watt added that the 20th Annual RMYLC to be held July 9-13, CSU-Pueblo needs sponsors for deserving high school students. Full-scholarships are $250 for the 5-day conference and partial donations combine to create full-scholarships. ALL DONATIONS ARE NEEDED AND APPRECIATED. Mail checks, payable to RMYLF, Inc., 15045 Deby Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80921. Rocky Mountain Youth Leadership Foundation, Inc. is an IRS recognized patriotic foundation and all donations are tax-deductible. Support is needed and appreciated! Questions - call Watt Hill or Bill Kaelin.

 

Jerry Losey gave a brief report on the results of the successful DECA competition. There are seven students from Lewis-Palmer High School and eleven students from Palmer Ridge High School going to Nationals.

 

The Tri-Lakes area will once again be offering an entire day of festivities on the 4th of July. This year's theme is titled "Stand Up for the Red, White, and Blue." Beginning at 9:30 am with the Children's parade and the main parade at 10 am (sponsored by the Monument Hill Kiwanis Club), this event is growing in popularity every year. This year we expect local marching bands, animals from the local Renaissance Festival, as well as many local businesses and non-profit organizations who will be walking and showing off their pride for our country's Independence Day!

 

There is another Must Go at Monday Night Bingo on Mar 12 with a payout of $1,199 for the second game of the evening. Bingo players' names and emails are being collected and a weekly enewsletter sent with updates, information about Must Go's, special offers and more. REMEMBER: 'Like' us at Facebook.com/Monument Hill Kiwanis Club Monday Night Bingo.

 

March Madness brackets are due to Glenn Scott by March 12. Good Luck to everyone and THANKS for supporting the March Madness Sports Pool with proceeds going to the Monument Hill Foundation.

Sixty-nine people attended the Mid-Winter Mixer and a GREAT time was had by all. The next Mixer in June 8th, which will be a cook-out at the Woodmoor Barn.

Stephen Plank announced the 9th Annual Oil Can Open Golf Tournament to benefit Tri-Lakes Cares, May 14th 9:00 am, at Kissing Camels Golf Club. Cost $125 per person.

A delegation from MHKC members will be attending the Kiwanis Club of Greeley 90th Birthday Party with a presentation on March 21st.

Steve Stephenson attended the Rocky Mountain District Kiwanis meeting along with Stephen Plank, who is the Kiwanis Rocky Mountain Division #4 Lt. Governor. Many topics were discussed including the new 20/30 Club concept, a project to tract Key Club members into college and possibly the college CKI Clubs, Soap Box Derby, and a Pro-Cycling Challenge marketing event.

Jim Murphy announced Board actions approving Kristin Damian and Bob Weyand as new members. Welcome Kristin and Bob!!

Tom VanWormer announced the Association for Former Intelligence Officers meeting to be held on Thursday, Mar 15 at 11:30 at the Inn at Palmer Divide. The speaker will be Sheriff Maketa who will speak on his recent trips to Israel for the US Government.