Our guest speaker this week was Angela Caughey.  After 14 years as a full-time carer for her husband Bryan who had dementia with lewy bodies, Angela wrote two books (Dealing Daily with Dementia and How to Communicate with Someone with Dementia- A guide for Carers) to help others cope with the challenges of taking care of loved ones with dementia.                 

Angela shared with us her view that growing old is normal and that while dementia is a brain disease that causes long-term and gradual decrease in the ability to think & remember (often affecting a person's daily functioning), the most important thing in caring for someone with dementia, is not to forget who the person is inside. Angela shared that while many think dementia is a condition that affects older people, there are also cases of early onset dementia (people in their 20's or 30's).  She said statistically, some of us in the room, may even be pre-disposed to dementia (ie. those who carry a specific gene) however, all of us can take steps to improve our brain health and defer the effects.

Angela is an avid researcher on dementia and shared with us a list of "Normal and Abnormal Memory Loss" as well as "14 steps to Brain Health". The first on the list is "EAT MORE DARK CHOCOLATE" and the last one is "Get a good night's sleep..stop using computers after dark". (See Stories below for Kenneth's computer tip).

Angela also shared with us The Lancet Commission's new life-course model which shows potentially modifiable, and non-modifiable risk factors for dementia. Please contact Phil Caughey (philip@wilsonandnicholson.co.nz) if you would like a copy of the handouts or if you'd like to purchase one of Angela's books. 

During our Sargent's session, James #2 (Billing) & James #3 (Hook) surprised us with their lime scooter stories - eg. #2 clocking in 34km an hour while almost knocking down an old lady were it not for his agile cat like moves, and #3 about not being scared of blood and ambulances when he picked up a lime scooter that had been involved in a recent accident. Guess they both have pretty good luck, great life insurance policies, or a direct line to Dr. Bill!

At the end of our meeting we had a banner exchange with visitors Kiwi-born, Swedish Rotarian Robbyna Svard (aka Robyn Spencer) and her husband Bjorn Eisner from the Rotary Club of Helsingborg RAA-Ramlosa which has 45 members. Robbyna & Bjorn often visit Rotary Clubs when they travel and encouraged our members to do the same as a great way to meet likeminded people.    

During our meeting Gill & Diane took a poll to see if we should change the date of our Rub Shoulders BBQ and it was agreed to move it to 17th March. Please mark your calendars. Diane has also organised a Greek band and No 1 Family Estate is sponsoring bubbles. It will be great fun.                                        

Our speaker next week is author Michael Graham who will talk with us about "Secret SAS Missions in Africa". His book is thought to be the first to tell the story of a little known C Squadron of Special Air Service that operated in Africa from 1968-1980 to help counter communist terrorist operations. 

On the 12th March, we are fortunate to have Brian Gaynor, CEO  Milford Asset Management speak with us. As we expect many members and non-members in attendance, we will open up registrations early. You can either book directly on our club website or through the email invitation sent to you by Dan Turkel. Seating is limited to 90 people so please register as soon as possible. 

A last word on Mal's challenge, as of today I'm pleased to report that 20 members have generously contributed amounts ranging from $200-$5000 and that we have 5 weeks left to capture Mal's Challenge. This is a Club-wide membership initiative so please show your support and give whatever amount you can to help us leave a legacy which we all can be proud of. 

Have a great weekend ahead & see you next Tuesday.

Lucy