Erin Dickerson’s Prayer
God,
We struggle with feelings of inadequacy. We feel we are not strong enough, physically or emotionally. We feel we do not possess the right education or training to be of value in certain situations. We focus on our shortcomings as parents, grandparents, caregivers, friends, and coworkers. We weigh ourselves down with guilt for needing help, making mistakes, or taking a break. We spend too much time focusing on what we cannot do, rather than on all that we have to offer. Lord, help us to realize we are enough, for we are who you created us to be and what you knew the world needed.
Amen.
Announcements
Volunteer Needed for the Americana Festival Booth!
Karen Charnesky, Chair of the Americana Booth, has announced that more volunteers are needed for the Americana Festival on July 4, 2024. If you’re interested in helping out, please sign up using the Member Calendar.
Understanding Dementia and Cognitive Health: Insights from Lori Horstman
Introduction from Stan Fronzaglia:
Lori Horstman is a certified dementia specialist and a Division Vice President of Operations for Trilogy Health Services. She was the instructor at a Brain Boot Camp training program I attended earlier this year with my wife Joyce and a few other club members. It consisted of six 1.5-hour classes with a lot of homework.
Lori created a program to maintain and improve overall brain health. It is truly outstanding, and she is going to share some of it with us today.
You can view the slide deck of the presentation here.
Key Points from Lori’s Presentation
Dementia is Not a Normal Part of Aging
Dementia is not an inevitable part of getting older. While mild cognitive impairments (MCI) can occur with age, they do not necessarily lead to dementia. Understanding the difference between normal age-related forgetfulness and dementia is crucial.
Types and Diagnosis of Dementia
There are over 120 different types of dementia, with Alzheimer’s being just one subset. Accurate diagnosis is essential as dementia itself is not a specific disease, but a syndrome caused by various diseases and conditions.
Risk Factors and Prevention
Common risk factors for cognitive decline include:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Depression
- Lack of mental and physical activity
By addressing these factors through lifestyle changes, the risk of developing dementia can be significantly reduced.
Lori highlighted that only 1% of dementia cases are hereditary, meaning lifestyle and environmental factors play a substantial role in prevention.
Symptoms to Watch For
Symptoms such as getting lost in familiar places, repetitive questioning, inappropriate behaviors, and personality changes are red flags that warrant further investigation. Early detection and intervention can make a significant difference in managing the condition.
Five Steps to Maintaining Brain Health
- Cognitive Stimulation: Engaging in challenging mental activities helps keep the brain active.
- Healthy Diet: A diet rich in colorful fruits and vegetables, like the Mediterranean diet, supports brain health.
- Regular Exercise: Physical activity promotes the production of neurochemicals that repair brain cells.
- Adequate Sleep: Quality sleep is essential for brain regeneration and cognitive function.
- Social Interaction: Staying socially connected reduces the risk of cognitive decline.
Importance of Neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to form new connections and pathways, can be enhanced through continuous learning and mental challenges. Lori mentioned the “nun study” which showed that individuals engaged in lifelong learning had better cognitive health despite having brain pathology typical of dementia.
Diet and Lifestyle Considerations
Avoiding harmful substances like aspartame, which can cause brain inflammation, and maintaining a balanced diet can prevent cognitive decline. Lori stressed the importance of avoiding diet sodas and artificial sweeteners, which are linked to increased dementia risk.
Exercise and Mental Health
Regular exercise not only benefits physical health but also boosts cognitive functions such as memory, decision-making, and multitasking skills. Just 20 minutes of exercise three times a week can significantly reduce dementia risk.
Educational Programs and Support
Lori offers various programs, including a comprehensive six-week brain boot camp and a free monthly support group at Southbrook Christian Church, to help individuals and caregivers manage and improve cognitive health. These programs provide tools and strategies to enhance brain function and overall well-being.
Six Recommended Things from Lori Horstman
Here are the six things she recommends in order of importance to keep your brain sharp:
1. Exercise Regularly
Multiple research studies show that physically active people are less likely to experience a decline in their mental function and have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Aim to exercise several times per week for 30 to 60 minutes. You can walk, swim, play tennis, or do any other moderate aerobic activity that increases your heart rate.
2. Get Plenty of Sleep
Sleep plays an important role in your brain health. Some theories state that sleep helps clear abnormal proteins in your brain and consolidates memories, which boosts your overall memory and brain health. Aim for seven to eight consecutive hours of sleep per night, not fragmented sleep of two- or three-hour increments.
3. Eat a Mediterranean Diet
Your diet plays a large role in your brain health. Consider following a Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes plant-based foods, whole grains, fish, and healthy fats, such as olive oil. It incorporates less red meat and salt than a typical American diet.
4. Stay Mentally Active
Your brain is similar to a muscle — you need to use it or lose it. There are many things that you can do to keep your brain in shape, such as doing crossword puzzles or Sudoku, reading, playing cards, or putting together a jigsaw puzzle. Consider it cross-training your brain. Incorporate different types of activities to increase effectiveness.
5. Remain Socially Involved
Social interaction helps ward off depression and stress, which can contribute to memory loss. Look for opportunities to connect with friends and family, especially if you live alone. Research links solitary confinement to brain atrophy, so remaining socially active may have the opposite effect and strengthen the health of your brain.
6. Keep Your Blood Vessels Healthy
The health of your arteries and veins is important to your heart health but it is also critical for brain health. Get your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol checked regularly and take steps to keep your numbers within a normal range.
Thank You
Thank you, Lori Horstman, for sharing your expertise and valuable advice on brain health. Your insights are greatly appreciated.
Welcome Guests
| Guest | Guest Of |
| Carolyn Stefanik | Debe Dockins |
| Eric Horstman | Stan Fronzaglia |
| Gary Brinkman | Larry Lynde |
| John Curd | MIke Newkirk |
| Josh Campbell | Matt Goeke |
| Nick Wilson | Jane Fiehrer |
| Todd Press | Mike Bevis |
| Zach Winning | Tom Henderson |
| Randale Honaker | Don Stafford |
| Joey Geisert | Blanca Criner |
New Member Readings and Inductions
| Name | Sponsor | 1st 2nd 3rd Reading or Induction |
| Thomas Wagner | Andy Higgins | 2nd Reading |
Happy Bucks
| Member | Reason |
| Ellie Parker | Thank you to Ron Thompson and Dr. Dan Passidomo for helping her at lunch last week. |
| Luke Neff | Heard his daughter sing “Take me out to the ball game” on Father’s day at the Dayton Dragons. |
| Myron Rheaume | Today is the birthday of his wife, Charla. |
| Debe Dockins | Her son Stephen has finished his first year of residency and he was chosen as the most outstanding intern this year. |
| Gary Brinkman | He is appreciative of the ideas he learned at today’s meeting and will take them back to the Dorwood Optimist Club. |
| Tom Novak | Thanks for all of those that have helped with Avenue of Flags. |
| Bill Williams | Found out on Father’s Day that they are going to have another grandchild. |
| Maha Kashani | Her daughter is spending the week at Safetyville Square. She thanked Katie Calloway and her team. |
| Jane Fiehrer | Rachael Goetz was a great co-chair for the Visual Arts Contest Committee and thank you to Don Massie for being part of the team. |
| Bob Lawson | His granddaughter was awarded the Chuck Dickerson Memorial scholarship which is awarded to a child or grandchild of a CNO member each year. |
| Bob Lawson | Thank you to the 20 volunteers that helped with Fishing Derby. |
| Charlie Goodwin | He just took 12 family members in Disney World. His family got him a shirt that said, “Disney Pappa, scan for payment.” |
| Andy Dickerson | Thanks for everyone that helped with The Castle Fishing Day. |
| Scott Langer | Scott said, “If I’m late you fine me. If I’m early you fine me. Today I was exactly on time and no fine!” |
| Joan Cordonnier | Happy Ellie Parker comes to meetings even when she isn’t feeling great, which is when you need your Optimist friends the most. |
| Joan Cordonnier | The community looks so great with all the flags out for the Avenue of Flags. |
Sergeants at Arms
| Member | Infraction |
| Larry England | Larry is wearing a fish tail on his shirt that reminds Sergeant Matt Goecke about beaches being closed because of sharks while on his recent vacation in the South. |
| Beth Duncan | She blamed the sergeants for her missing name badge. |
| Greg Griffin | The label printer that prints guest name badges is broken. |
| Andy Dickerson and Bob Lawson | Sergeant Chris McAlpine said that today is National Fishing Day. Since they run the Fishing Derby, they are fined. |
| Bob Lawson and Wayne Christie | Used a five dollar bill to buy one 50/50 ticket. That tells the sergeants you have some singles, so they are fined. |
| Cindy Gaboury | It has been too long since she has attended a meeting. |
| Any one with the name Don or Larry | If your name is Don or Larry pay a fine. |
Membership Anniversaries
| Member | Joined | Years |
| Denise Green | June 19, 2013 | 11 |
| Kathy Linder | June 19, 2019 | 5 |
| Michelle Tagliamonte | June 19, 2019 | 5 |
| Wes Cleaves | June 22, 1993 | 31 |
| Matt Goeke | June 23, 2023 | 1 |
| Nancy Henson | June 23, 2023 | 1 |
| Chastity Irwin | June 23, 2023 | 1 |
| Phil Speelman | June 23, 2023 | 1 |
Birthdays
| Ron Kuker | June 19 |
| Deb Ulrich | June 22 |
| Gary DeMarco | June 23 |
| Dick Lee | June 23 |
| Carrie Million | June 23 |
| Jay McAlpine | June 24 |
| Dave Ball | June 24 |
CNO Donations – Since 2013
Click here to see a summary of donations the club has made since 2013
Thank You Notes Received
CLICK HERE to see the Thank You Notes received this week