SPOKES VOL. LXIV NO. 19                                                                               November 14, 2017
 
 
Our Greeters this morning consisted of Tom Rummel, Tony Martorano and Paul Hix (for a few minutes).
 
We opened our meeting with Pledge of Allegiance and Art Ayers offered our invocation. 
 
Guests:
Our guests today included prospective member Dan Thompson and our friend Don Shook.
 
Spotlight:
There was no spotlight today, but President Renner but on each table were the results of our recent survey for members to see.  The Board will discuss the survey results this month and report back to the club any actions that are taken as a result of the survey results.
 
Music:
Jim Davis was our song leader again this morning, assisted by Larry Wittkop and Dottie.  We began with "If You Knew Susie" which is the title of a popular song from the 1920s written by Buddy DeSylva and Joseph Meyer.  In the largely comic song, a man sings that he knows a certain woman named Susie to be much wilder and more passionate than most people realize.  We followed that with “Let a Smile be Your Umbrella”.  Famous DJ Joey Reynolds's autobiography is titled Let a Smile Be Your Umbrella, but Don't Get a Mouthful of Rain.  We finished with “Roll Rotary, Roll”.
 
Announcements:
 
  • Snowbirds are reminded to let Bob Straits and Rhonda know when you will be gone and to take care of your financial arrangements prior to leaving.
  • Members are encouraged to move around each week so you get to know your fellow Rotarians, especially new members.
  • Our next Blessings in a Backpack work session is scheduled for Thursday, December 1st at 1:30PM.   Let Rhonda know if you will be able to help.
  • Our Christmas Party has been scheduled for Tuesday, December 12th at Hawkshead.  Please put this date on your calendar.  A sign up list has been passed around.
  • Next week’s meeting will be at South Haven High School.  Please park in front of the building and enter through the main door (Easternmost).
  • Our first Thursday night supper is this week.  Volunteers needed!
50/50
Paul Hix hit the jackpot this week with the right ticket and drawing the right card.  Later in the meeting he donated his winnings back to the club.  Don Hodgman won the $2 prize.
 
Fines:
  • Bob Copping celebrated the birthday of his daughter Robin and, after a good deal of negotiation, celebrated with a Ludington style birthday song..
  • There were several wishes of good luck to the MSU Men’s basketball team.  Misguided wishes as it turned out.
  • Larry Wittkop was pleased with the men’s soccer team from WMU for their conference championship and entry in the NCAA tournament.
  • Tom Fleming reminded us that it is Big 10 Tuesday at local Shell stations this week if you have a fuel rewards card.
  • Glenn Peitenpol was partly happy today, suffering from bridge and ND losses, but happy for the Packers.
 
President Renner introduced our speaker, our own Steve Larsen.
 
Steve reviewed some history of senior living construction.He indicated that while proper design and construction is important, the most critical part is for the management to hire people who care.
 
Steve talked about the levels of senior living.The simplest is just senior apartments, with no special accommodations other than age appropriate facilities and possibly activities.
 
These are often coupled with Independent living facilities that include things like spas and theaters as part of the amenities.
Assisted living is the next level where help is available for specific concerns and care needs of the resident.These facilities often include many amenities.Steve highlighted that food is a big deal at these facilities, with low fat, organic food a key factor.
 
Often Assisted living facilities include memory care units.These units typically have smaller rooms, are more intimate and involve a heavy use of IT to keep track of residents.They even have badges that automatically lock doors when approached by a resident who is not supposed to be allowed through.
 
The highest level of care is a nursing home that provides nearly full time nursing care for seriously ill or injured patients.
Steve also mentioned that home health care is a popular optionbut once a patients requires more than 2 -4 hours of care, assisted living is probably a better option.
 
Adult day care is a possibility but works best as relief for caretakers.
 
Typically, assisted living costs about $39,000 per person per year, although costs in Michigan are a little less expensive.
Steve listed who typically pays for this kind of care, including private pay, Long term care insurance (although you need to check your policy to see what kinds of care it covers), Social Security, V A Aide, Life Insurance, Bridge loans and even a tax deduction for children.The average stay in these kinds of facilities is 2.3 years and begins about age 83.
 
Tom presented Steve with one of our speaker’s gifts and thanked him for presenting.
 
We closed the meeting with the Rotary Four Way Test.
 
Next week’s program: Tour of the newly renovated South Haven High School
 
Next week’s Greeters:  Bob Herrera and Kathy Brickley
 
Editarian:  Dene Hadden