Kari Quinn-Humphrey – Alzheimer’s

Rotarian Shirley Zinman introduced Kari who is married and lives in the west end of Toronto. Kari and her husband who is originally from Huntsville have a 2 year old son. Kari went to the University of Windsor and has been with the Alzheimer Society for the past 5 years.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common of a large group of disorders known as “dementias.” It is an irreversible disease of the brain in which the progressive degeneration of brain cells causes thinking ability and memory to deteriorate. The disease also affects behavior, mood and emotions, and the ability to perform daily living activities. The older people are, the greater their risk of getting Alzheimer’s or related dementias. Early signs of dementia include confusion and loss of memory. Eventually, assistance is needed for everyday things like eating and dressing. Later symptoms include wandering, aggression, resistance and incontinence. The disease can last 10 years or more. The cause is unknown and there is no cure, although researchers are making great strides. Canada has some of the best dementia services and researchers in the world.

Risk Factors

• Age
• Family History
• Gender
• Previous Head Injury
• Strokes
• Diabetes
• Smoking Depression
• Lack of mental/intellectual challenge
• Low levels of formal education

10 Warning Signs

1. Memory loss that affects day-to-day abilities
2. Difficulty performing familiar tasks
3. Problems with language
4. Disorientation in time and space
5. Poor or decreased judgment
6. Problems with abstract thinking
7. Misplacing things
8. Changes in mood and behavior
9. Changes in personality
10. Loss of initiative

The brain is one of your most vital organs, playing a role in every action and every thought, and just like the rest of your body it needs to be looked after. It’s never too soon, or too late to make changes that will maintain or improve your brain health, changes that may also help reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Reducing the Risk

• New Learning
• Social Interaction
• Physical Exercise
• Control of Blood Pressure/Cholesterol
• Good Nutrition
• Control Stress
• Sleep

Role of the Alzheimer Society

• Provides support, education, and information for:
• People with dementia
• Family members
• Health care professionals
• General public

Rotarian Anne Ellis-Taylor thanked our speaker and handed her a book on Toronto as a token of our appreciation.

Attendance

There were 28 Rotarians and 3 guests in attendance. Millie introduced Yien Watson who is a local florist conveniently located across the street from Sister’s Restaurant! Donna proudly introduced her new daughter-in-law Tess Worden. President Bruce welcomed back Rotarians Pat and Hermann.

Open Membership Classification

Mike Cooksey announced that the Membership Committee was now looking for new members from the “Advertising business.”

Announcements

Don Hall announced that last night the Ribfest Committee held a successful meeting with 17 Rotarians and 1 guest attending. Our Club will be borrowing a fundraising idea which was extremely successful this year with other Clubs that hosted a Ribfest.

Shirley Zinman announced that there was a snag to her Ghana Child Slavery Project this past year and that the International Committee will have to resubmit the proposal for this year (2010-2011).

Kim Nilsson announced on behalf of Josie that the Ribfest Entertainment Committee was still looking for items to fill the Ribfest entertainers’ gift bags

Woods/Cunningham Wheel

Guest Yien spun the wheel for the $150 pot and Mike Murton held the winning number 31. The 2nd spin however landed the ‘Queen’ of Hearts!

Sergeant-at-Arms – Gerard Baribeau

Rocco paid a fine for speaking during Grace!

Jimmy paid a happy buck for being thanked by the Claremont Conservation Centre for his magnificent wood carving for them.

Gene paid a fine for not wearing a tie. Gene exclaimed his hands were “tied!”

Kim was relieved to state the 2nd line in the Rotary 4-Way Test during an interrogation by Millie! She originally wanted to pay a happy buck for a recent client referral.

Mike C. paid a buck for a belated birthday.

Mike M. tried in vain to avoid paying a fine for his golf shirt and shorts attire!

Don for reasons unknown paid a buck to have a kiss on the cheek from the SAA!

Pat paid a happy/sad buck by announcing that after 9 years at our Club she was transferring to the Toronto Eglinton Club.

Gerard paid a happy buck for Jimmy’s carving of “Buddy” the dog.

Chris paid a fine for sharing her travel agency’s “day trips” when asked by a fellow Club member.

Yours truly was also fined for apparently not smiling at the Habitat for Humanity Ground Breaking ceremony photo!

Blue Badge Presentation

Hermann Pfaller was called to the floor and was presented with his permanent Blue Badge by President Bruce

Celebrations

A Little Humour Compliments of Gerard Baribeau

Questions you just can't answer ~~~~~

Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are flat?

Why do banks charge a fee on 'insufficient funds' when they know there is not enough?

Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?

Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?

What is the speed of darkness?

Why is it that people say they 'slept like a baby' when babies wake up every two hours?

If the temperature is zero outside today and it's going to be twice as cold tomorrow, how cold will it be?

Do married people live longer than single ones or does it only seem longer?

How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?

Did you ever stop and wonder.....

Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, 'I think I'll squeeze these pink dangly things here and drink whatever comes out?'

Who was the first person to say, 'See that chicken there... I'm gonna eat the next thing that comes outta its bum.'

Why do toasters always have a setting so high that could burn the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?

Why do people point to their wrist when asking for the time, but don't point to their bum when they ask where the bathroom is?

Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours? They're both dogs!

If quizzes are quizzical, what are tests?

If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, then what is baby oil made from?

If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?

Do illiterate people get the full effect of Alphabet Soup?

Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him on a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?

Upcoming Meetings -to update your information, e-mail Gary at garymac@clarkehenning.com

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