Breakthrough
General Membership Meeting
June 3, 2008
Member networking 8 – 8:30
John Rothbarth, Vice-president opened the meeting with the announcement that our President, Debbie Schuster was on vacation in Hawaii. After introductions, Wade Baughman, Outreach Committee Chair introduced our guest speaker. Dr. Turner Overton is with the Washington University HIV Clinic. Handouts were distributed and a Power Point presentation was given on “Aging and HIV – Staying Healthy, Living Well!”
Important points of interest included that fact that there are 1.2 million people in the United States who are living with HIV. Thirty-six million people worldwide are affected by this virus. AIDS is the #1 killer in America. Dr. Overton gave a brief background on the discovery and history of this disease. Current studies are on- going and treatments exist that have changed the virus to a chronic medical illness, but there is no cure. Education is the key to helping eradicate the spread of HIV especially among older adults. It is also important to erase the myths and stereotypes some doctors have about older adults who are still sexually active. Doctors should be involved in informing and making older adults aware of the potential danger of contact.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Find Out Fridays – presented by Tower Grove Manor and Purcell and Amen, attorneys at Law, LLC. An event was held June 6, “Healing with the Right words, presented by Steve Miskovic, MSW, with Washington University and PACE. To find out about future meetings, contact Gail Lee @ 314-966-8077.
The First Annual Fisk Memorial Marketing conference – entitled “Building Success” will be held on October 8th, 2008. To find out more about sponsorship opportunities and exhibits, call 314-393-4101 or e-mail: www.COCMA.org
St. Andrews Senior solutions – has a “Caring with Compassion” Personal Assistant training program for seniors. If you know someone who is looking for extra income and enjoys helping take care of others who can’t care for themselves, call 314-726-5766
Bethesda Health Group- is having a series of open houses, beginning in mid to late July. Events will be held at St. Andrews, Bethesda Home Health and Bethesda Meadow memory care Unit. Call Jeff Waldman at 314-800-1908 for further information.
The Mid-East Area Agency on Aging (MEAAA) is having a Senior Fair, June 13th, from 9 -3 at the St. Ann Community Center, 1 Community Center Dr., in St. Ann. For more information, contact John Gamache at 636-207-0847 ext 106.
Haven House St. Louis – located at Olive and Mason in Creve Coeur, Haven House has 5 hotel-like suites open to families who travel more than 25 miles to see patients in hospitals or nursing homes in the area. For more information, call Kathy Sindel, Executive Director at 314-434-5863.
Arlington House Adult Day Services held a Dollhouse Miniatures/Garage Sale fundraiser on June 7, 2008. Arlington House is located at 3770 McKelvey. Director, Ruth Clerkey can be reached at 314-739-0434 ext. 22.