Announcements
Several members reported that they enjoyed Wayside take-out meals.
Trudy and her women's group, centred in London, gathered with Wayside food, to fill 50 backpacks with emergency supplies like blankets, toilet paper, writing paper and pen, hat, mitts, scarf, granola bars, soap, deodorant etc. They give the backpacks away from their cars between now and Christmas to those who may be homeless and/ or down on their luck. Weekly, they have set up a goodie table from which people can take items like cookies, socks, personal items. BRAVO
Thanks go to Trish for setting up the Polio event at City Hall, to Ron for retrieving the flag, and to Nancy for inviting the RCRC (see below), and thanks to President Gerry for his remarks regarding polio eradication.
President Gerry reminded us that we can receive the Rotary magazine digitally. He also lamented that the Tour of Homes events are not occurring this year because of you know what.
Upcoming meetings:
4Nov20-Rotary Zoom meeting with District President, David Elliot; Gerry will send the link by email.
10Nov20-District Remembrance day presentation/webinar by Zoom
18Nov20 Remebrance Day presentation by Rev. Michael Wellwood by Zoom
11Nov20 no regular meeting.
Barbara presented her perspective on living in Aylmer during COVID. People are protesting against masks, science, gov't control, and social distancing. She does not know who the people are and is concerned about a negative impact on commerce in Aylmer.
Laura Sherwood spoke of plans for the Hospice of Elgin build for spring-summer 2021. See the link below:
Focus only on the slide show below the heading "Flipsnack". Please find the website dedicated to Hospice of Elgin:
The existing hospices in the region are supported by St Joseph's Health Care Family. 800 people die per year without access to a dedicated hospice facility, 3-4000 other people are impacted negatively. We live in an area with the largest ageing population in the region, yet we do not have a dedicated hospice facility. Hospice costs 1/3 of acute care in a hospital.
Laura told us that hospice is the following (see the meeting area of a hospice outside of Elgin above):
- the last home for residents
- a facility that can be personalized for patients, eg a Rosey Rhubarb theme can be built in because people from Shedden are familiar with that
- natural environment outside with sufficient parking and accessible, located centrally
- like a home environment with health care
- a hub for hospice care in the community
- caregiver resource centre ( currently provided by Serenity House at St John's Anglican Church is a separate corporate structure)
- bereavement counselling and wellness centre
- Therapies like massage, physiotherapy, spiritual care, library
- community-driven/ supported and free to the community
- supported by 200-300 community volunteers
- the community will be involved in the co-design
- service without prejudice or judgement
- for those wishing hospice care before completion of the build, call 519-361-7495
Before we get to boots on the ground and shovels in the ground, the county needs to raise $9.5 million, of which 45 % has been raised. The government of Ontario contributes about 1/2. 2 possible properties are being considered and locations are confidential (answer to Bills question).
Malcolm asked the difficult question of whether the MAID (Medical Assistance in Dying) program will be supported. There would be a transfer of care to provide this type of treatment.
Stew asked if the facility can be designed with defences against COVID. Some of all rooms may be under negative pressure; that would allow for a "Smudging" ceremony. Entrances for each patient could be from the outside.
Our club can help by learning, educating, spreading the word, help with co-design, and donating.
Happy Finns
Trudy- her "21st birthday", good polio turnout, Tuna Tues backpack initiative, Interactors rake and run volunteer project earned $80 unsolicited
Trish- Laura's presentation, Barbs work setting up programs even with Zoom, thanks to all club members for "keeping on" and especially Gerry for leading
Stew- Trudy's Zoom background
Catharine- Laura's presentation, polio event, Zoom, Gerry's hard work
Gerry- Lauras progress with Hospice, Trudy's backpack initiative