UTA RETIREES’ CLUB MINUTES FOR MAY 14, 2013
We met on Tuesday, May 14, 2013, in Room 102B of the Maverick Activity Center (MAC) at 10am for refreshments and visiting.
Announcements
Frank Gault, president, announced the June events (June 8, 2013, Annual Retirees Dinner and June 11, 2013, meeting to discuss retirees benefits presented by HR). Everyone should receive an invitation to the dinner in the mail. Eunice Currie could not be with us but she sent wellness T-shirts for everyone via her mother. Frank asked Josie O’quinn to read the slate of officers for next year: Frank Gault, president; Larry Barcroft, Vice-President for Membership; Bob Wegner, Vice-President for Programs; Joyce Palmer, Treasurer; RosanneMinyard, Secretary. Midge Holiday made a motion to elect the officers by acclimation and it was seconded by Max Spindler. The motion was carried. Officers will be installed at June 11th meeting.
Program
Harley Courtney, vice-president for programs, introduced our speakers, Dr. Christopher Ray and Dr. John Biggan from the UTA Center for Healthy Living & Longevity. Harley has been a participant this last year in their study and exercise program.
Dr. Ray gave a presentation titled “Trends in Aging”. He discussed how advances in technology are affecting the health care industry. Some of the trends include requiring all doctors to keep e-records on patients, remote or electronic patient monitoring, jitterbug phones, Coker implants, cognitive training tools, social networking, health call centers in every state, biofeedback and medication optimization. He encouraged everyone to set your own standards for exercise and try to increase as you become more fit. Dr. Ray said that since coming to UTA he has lost weight and become more fit but he knows his limitations; he is currently training for an Iron-Man competition.
Dr. John Beggan who has a background in experimental psychology gave a presentation on dementia. The most commonly feared diseases by seniors are cancer 33% and Alzheimer’s 44%. Over 35 million people worldwide suffer from some form of dementia. Some of the contributing factors to dementia are cognitive changes (ability to learn new things and poor problem solving ability) as well as behavioral changes (fear, sadness, anger, impaired normal functions). Also genetics, depression, heart disease, inactivity, drug & alcohol use, poor diet and brain tumors can contribute to dementia. He gave us a history of Alzheimer’s, discussed DNA, and explained how the hippocampus affects memory. Things that can help with symptoms are medication (Aricept, Exelon patch), keeping active, and maintaining healthy blood pressure. People with more education are less likely to experience dementia. Keep accepting challenges and experience new things. Call Dr. Biggan at 817 272-2328 to set up a screening to participate in the study and exercise program conducted during the fall and spring terms.
Frank adjourned the meeting. Minutes submitted by Rosanne Minyard, Secretary.