THE SENIOR MEN'S CLUB OF NEW CANAAN
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 5, 2010
President George Perkins opened the meeting with 108 of 488 members.
NEW MEMBER(S): None
GUEST(S): Paul Stein introduced Paula Bruns, Community Liaison for Masonicare.
MINUTES: Roger Langevin read the minutes of January 29, 2010.
MEMBERSHIP ASSISTANCE Chairman, Bob Moylan reported that John Newman and Craig Wright (no visitors) are now home, and Don Hunziker, now at Waveny, is going home tomorrow.
ANNOUNCEMENTS were made: The SMC raised $840 from the sale of Harlan Anderson's autobiography. Dues ($35) have been paid by 281 members with another 200 to go. New activities have been recently established for photography and bicyclists. Is anyone interested in forming another group (e.g., poker)? Next week there will be a short presentation on Government census taking. We're seeking a speaker on genealogy and genealogical research.
The status and plans were reported for various activities and couth trips:
ACTIVITIES: 4F Luncheon - 2/26, location to be announced. Bridge - as usual. Amateur Chef's - 3/18 bratwurst is wait listed. Photography - Wednesday, 2/17, 1:30 show and tell on box cameras and tips on Adobe Photoshop. Photography show at Carriage Barn on Sunday. Paddle - Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, time changed to 9-10:30 AM; coffee afterwards.
COUTH: Culinary Institute of America, Tuesday, 2/9; fully booked with 48 people; meet 9:15; depart 9:30. New York Philharmonic Rehearsal, Wednesday, 3/10, $80/person; six openings.
HUMORIST: Jack Messert described how a policeman stopped a biker on a Harley, who said his name was now just Fred -- because his medical credentials (e.g., MD and DDS) were taken away as well as his last name, which was Johnson.
SPEAKER: Vice President Paul Stein introduced Suzanne Rosenberg and Dr. Jennifer Lim, directors of Masonicare Community Services. Suzanne discussed "The How and Why of Healthcare Decision Making," and emphasized the need to talk about it.
Dr. Lim addressed the "Implications of the Payment System for Healthcare" and explained the ethical and legal environment. She noted that the reimbursement legal system is in conflict with the Hippocratic Oath, because payment is based on testing and treatment, not time spent on patient evaluation and education.
Suzanne reported that the recently proposed Health Care Reform Bill contained a provison that would allow Medicare to pay physicians to discuss living wills and other end-of-life issues with their patients - once every five years. She explained several End-of-Life Decision Making considerations.
Dr. Lim explained the difference between Palliative Care and Hospice. She clarified certain Hospice Myths and noted that for certain terminally ill patients, hospice is associated with longer survival times (29 days longer) than without hospice.
Suzanne shared thoughts on Advance Directives: Living Wills, Ethical Wills, and appointing a health care representative. She referred to the American Bar Association Toolkit (http://www.abanet.org/aging/toolkit/), which addresses questions regarding life-prolonging treatment. In closing she outlined how to make good healthcare decisions.
Roger Langevin, Assistant Secretary
Note: Here is a copy of their presentation.