284-5885
laftree@comcast.net
 
ARIANNE ARRIVES WINNING HEARTS, MINDS & THE RAFFLE
 
How's this for a smashing debut by Arianne Anez Merlin, our new exchange student from Santa Cruz, Bolivia? She is introduced by host family patriarch Steve Ware, gives an excellent introductory slide presentation, and pulls the winning raffle ticket, which happened to be hers. This young woman arrived with a delightful smile and a magical touch. Her slide presentation provided an overview of her country, city, home, family, school, classmates and her personal interests. The mention of belly dancing got an interesting reaction from our otherwise staid membership. Welcome to Lafayette Arianne, we look forward to helping you feel at home with us too.
 
TRAFFIC COPS AGAIN AT ARTS & WINE FESTIVAL
 
David Waal says yes, we can do that again, but no tasers allowed this time. We can also be money changers in a booth or anonymous "watchdogs" to be on the alert for "nefarious" doings. Dave will define nefarious at our next meeting. A sign up sheet was passed around for all who will be able to participate for a time on Friday through Sunday, September 17-19. We await the usual participation $100 challenge from our brethren of the noon club, which for us is guaranteed money in the bank.
 
SHERRY SHILLS GOLF AND WINE CLASSIC RAFFLE TICKETS
 
For only $10 you too can win a weekend at a Tahoe mansion that sleeps up to twenty, dinner for two at Il Pavone restaurant, a Spa Special, and/or several other delectable prizes. John brought tickets with him in case there were any loose $10 bills floating around. The event is October 4 at the Rossmoor Dollar Club course. We can expect to field the unbeatable LSR teams yet again. In spite of all the levity which seems to ooze from these musings every week, this is a solid, well run, fun event put on every year by the Nooners, and we are very pleased to participate!
 
PEEKS PINGS HOME TEAMERS FOR APPEARING SANS PINS IN LAMORINDA WEEKLY PHOTO
 
The Home Team got the cream and Kevin Croak, Ken Kosich and Brad Davis got the raspberries from Thomas, The Terrible, to the tune of $20 each for the aforementioned transgressions. I am about to suggest that permanent (read tattooed) body art, in an always visible place, is the only thing that will save our publicity crazed membership from either potential bankruptcy or committing mayhem upon our hanging judge Prez Peeks.
 
PROGRAM
 
Richard Wexler is President and CEO of Goldenhand, LLC, whose slogan is "Creating Peace of Mind for Life." His business experience began in the legal field before leading multiple trust companies. Richard previously held sales management positions in high technology and has served as a coach and also on the Board of Directors of Little League. He currently has a national presence in the field of aging and Family Life Planning.
 
Richard began his presentation with a slide show featuring George Carlin and a philosophy for old age. It takes a look at life a decade at a time, with key words associated with each step, e.g. becoming 21, turning 30, pushing 40, reaching 50, making it to 60, hitting 70, etc.
 
The moral of the story - Keep learning, enjoy the simple things, laugh, cry, cherish health, don't take guilt trips and surround yourself with what you love.
 
Then came a personal story about how Richard and his wife Anna got into their business. Their lives changed dramatically when three of their elderly parents became seriously ill within a period of 18 months. Their preteen children needed them, they had demanding lives and careers, but they now had elderly parents who needed them. They were not prepared, nor were they ready, for this. They struggled greatly and had no understanding of how their parent's conditions would impact their lives. They learned from their experiences and realized that many others face a similar path. So a Golden Hand is dedicated to helping others get prepared for the day when they too will be called upon to respond. They help families have the conversation that many hesitate to have. Talking with a loved one and siblings before a crisis is the only way to retain the expectations that we all have.
 
The statistics supporting the need for this family planning concept are sobering:
 
99% of the population over the age of 70 will need long term care.
Average length of care per patient is 4.6 years.
Average care time per week is 20 hours
There are 65.7 non-professional care givers to day
There are 78 million baby boomers (46-55) with parents who will be needing help.
 
So what topics of family conversation need to take place?
 
          Wishes - what do mom and dad want?
          Estate Planning - Do it, and keep it current.
          Financial Plan - For sickness/long term care.
          Doctors/Perscriptions - who and what are they?
          Care - Who and where provides it?
          Life Stuff - The house, obligations
          Multiple Loved Ones - Out of state? who does what?
 
There is a wealth of good information on the website. At www.agoldenhand.com. Or by phone 877-465-4265. This was a serious program meant for all who were present. Boomers or their parents. These conversations need to happen. Thank you Richard for making us all a little uncomfortable for exactly the right reasons!