March 23, 2017, DMARSPA MINUTES
1. President Justine Finley welcomed DMARSPA members and guests to the March 23,
2017, meeting.
2. The speaker, Dr. David Demarest, from "On With Life" was introduced by Justine. On With
Life is a non profit organization and a Midwest leader in brain injury and rehabilitation. They
began as a dream of dedicated and passionate survivors and families faced with challenge
of rebuilding lives shattered by brain injuries. Since opening in 1991, On With Life has
served over 2500 Iowans and their families. It was started mostly by moms. Dr. Demarest
is a neuropsychiatrist, working with people with traumatic brain injuries or/and strokes. He
also does out-patient work, too. His master's degree was in child psychology. Then he went
back to school, and now works with adults. He's evaluated people as old as 104 Brains
aren't meant to go past 85. The average age of people he works with at On With Life is 50.
He also works with congenital brain injuries - autism, learning disorder, intellectual disability,
ADHD. A question was raised about the difference between Alzheimer's and dementia.
Alzheimer's is a specific disease that can cause dementia. Dementia is an old term. It is
now called neuro cognitive disorder. You can have dementia with other diseases -
Parkinson's, liver failure. A 21 year old he works with has dementia because of a traumatic
brain injury. Dementia means your thinking skills are lower. Seventy percent of dementia
is caused by Alzheimer's. Thirty percent is caused by organic reasons - vascular related.
Early on-set Alzheimer's is onset before 65. Doctors sometimes misdiagnose because of
depression. Sometimes parts of the brains will atrophy, but can be brought back with
treatment. Another interesting fact is Ambien will sometimes wake people from a Catatonic
state. Many things can affect the brain - chemo, anesthesia, alcohol. So much is to be
learned about the brain. Still trying to understand ADHD. It's a behavioral diagnosis. It is
misdiagnosed because of behavior. Most because of parents. Treatment - all the
behavioral interventions done with kids with ADHD, including helping the parents know what
to do. Medicine is also used. Is Autism more prevalent today? Professionals debate this.
Immunizations? He doesn't think the literature supports this. It's hard to know whether it's
more prevalent or not because it's more discussed now. Dr. Demarest says his main focus
is educating. If anyone wants to contact Dr. Demarest, they could call On With Life.
3. March birthdays were recognized
4. President Finley led the Pledge to the Flag, followed by a moment of silence.
5. Buffet Lunch catered by Barratta's.
6. The March 23, 2017, business meeting was called to order by President Finley.
A. Secretary Minutes - Sherry Wilkinson. Misspelling of jack lashier's name. Minutes
were approved as corrected.
B. Treasurer's Report - Rosemary Hillman. Report will be filed for audit. Total assets as
of February 23, 2017, $14,372.00. Checking account balance on March 24,
2017, $11,355.65. Scholarship Fund as of March 24, 2017, $3,016.35.
C. Scholarship Committee - Dee Fleischacker - Scholarship applications are coming
into her slowly. Because of our extra funds, we are now going to give three
$1500 scholarships. Thank you for donations.
D. Courtesy - Dee Fleischacker - note to Linda Noble upon her son's death, Becky
Valentine is being treated for cancer, Janice Wiling on her death, Welch - passing away.
Fran Beno, knee surgery. Jack Lashier - retirement and thank you card. If you hear of
anyone having good news, she would like to hear about that, too.
E. Legislative - Gary Thelen - Only one bill was introduced in the Senate concerning
IPERS about taking merger of IPERS and DM Plan. It's staying in the sub
committee. It's not going anywhere this year. IPERS bills are only done in even
years. Next year there could be a whole slew of IPERS bills. Some want to turn
IPERS into a defined contribution plan, which means lower monthly pensions.
One group want to take the whole thing and turn it into a defined plan, which
would affect everyone. Gary doesn't think this would happen since the
legislature is also covered by IPERS.
F. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Continue to log your volunteer hours.
2. Continue to alert Bill and Joelle of any changes for the Directory.
3. Time to pay your dues.
4. Justine, Warren and Sharon talked to Jack Lozier about parking at the Hall of
Pride. It may continue. His secretary has put our dates on the calendar
G. NEW BUSINESS:
1. FOOD BANK OF IOWA next month's program. Please bring a cash or check
donation; no food items.
2. Nominating Committee - Please consider becoming an officer. A Vice
President and head cashier are needed. Bill Synder discussed new
members. Bill asked members to take brochures on the tables and
give to someone to get new members.
3. Who will have a "Free" lunch in June? - Only NEW retirees for this year
2016-2017. A free lunch will be extended to NEW retires ONLY if
they respond that they will attend at a later date. Suggestion to consider
another month in the year, too, to cover the cost of a meal for those who
have been retired and would like to come and become a member.
4. Marilyn Reese - She has heard from people that we are not friendly. She
would like to have ideas. Suggestions: Have callers at certain tables;
certain colored name tags for new people; have callers talk to people;
greeters at the door;
8. Cashiers for the month of April are: Liz Benjamin, Marilyn Reese and Dee Fleischacker.
9. Announcements;
A. Spring District 5 meeting will be held in Knoxville Thursday, May 11, at the Marion
County Extension Office, 201 North Iowa Street in Knoxville. Registration at
8:30 a.m. Meal reservation by May 1; email Lyle Stirling - lylestirling@gmail.com
or call 641-208-6012.
10. Introduction of guests, visitors.
11. Puzzle: Dee Fleischacker read the answers to the puzzle.
12. If anyone has an idea for a speaker, please give names to Justine.
12. Door Prize: Jan Christianson.
13. President Finley adjourned the meeting at 12:36 p.m. The program on April 27 will be
"Storm Chasing with Channel 8 Weather Team."
1. President Justine Finley welcomed DMARSPA members and guests to the March 23,
2017, meeting.
2. The speaker, Dr. David Demarest, from "On With Life" was introduced by Justine. On With
Life is a non profit organization and a Midwest leader in brain injury and rehabilitation. They
began as a dream of dedicated and passionate survivors and families faced with challenge
of rebuilding lives shattered by brain injuries. Since opening in 1991, On With Life has
served over 2500 Iowans and their families. It was started mostly by moms. Dr. Demarest
is a neuropsychiatrist, working with people with traumatic brain injuries or/and strokes. He
also does out-patient work, too. His master's degree was in child psychology. Then he went
back to school, and now works with adults. He's evaluated people as old as 104 Brains
aren't meant to go past 85. The average age of people he works with at On With Life is 50.
He also works with congenital brain injuries - autism, learning disorder, intellectual disability,
ADHD. A question was raised about the difference between Alzheimer's and dementia.
Alzheimer's is a specific disease that can cause dementia. Dementia is an old term. It is
now called neuro cognitive disorder. You can have dementia with other diseases -
Parkinson's, liver failure. A 21 year old he works with has dementia because of a traumatic
brain injury. Dementia means your thinking skills are lower. Seventy percent of dementia
is caused by Alzheimer's. Thirty percent is caused by organic reasons - vascular related.
Early on-set Alzheimer's is onset before 65. Doctors sometimes misdiagnose because of
depression. Sometimes parts of the brains will atrophy, but can be brought back with
treatment. Another interesting fact is Ambien will sometimes wake people from a Catatonic
state. Many things can affect the brain - chemo, anesthesia, alcohol. So much is to be
learned about the brain. Still trying to understand ADHD. It's a behavioral diagnosis. It is
misdiagnosed because of behavior. Most because of parents. Treatment - all the
behavioral interventions done with kids with ADHD, including helping the parents know what
to do. Medicine is also used. Is Autism more prevalent today? Professionals debate this.
Immunizations? He doesn't think the literature supports this. It's hard to know whether it's
more prevalent or not because it's more discussed now. Dr. Demarest says his main focus
is educating. If anyone wants to contact Dr. Demarest, they could call On With Life.
3. March birthdays were recognized
4. President Finley led the Pledge to the Flag, followed by a moment of silence.
5. Buffet Lunch catered by Barratta's.
6. The March 23, 2017, business meeting was called to order by President Finley.
A. Secretary Minutes - Sherry Wilkinson. Misspelling of jack lashier's name. Minutes
were approved as corrected.
B. Treasurer's Report - Rosemary Hillman. Report will be filed for audit. Total assets as
of February 23, 2017, $14,372.00. Checking account balance on March 24,
2017, $11,355.65. Scholarship Fund as of March 24, 2017, $3,016.35.
C. Scholarship Committee - Dee Fleischacker - Scholarship applications are coming
into her slowly. Because of our extra funds, we are now going to give three
$1500 scholarships. Thank you for donations.
D. Courtesy - Dee Fleischacker - note to Linda Noble upon her son's death, Becky
Valentine is being treated for cancer, Janice Wiling on her death, Welch - passing away.
Fran Beno, knee surgery. Jack Lashier - retirement and thank you card. If you hear of
anyone having good news, she would like to hear about that, too.
E. Legislative - Gary Thelen - Only one bill was introduced in the Senate concerning
IPERS about taking merger of IPERS and DM Plan. It's staying in the sub
committee. It's not going anywhere this year. IPERS bills are only done in even
years. Next year there could be a whole slew of IPERS bills. Some want to turn
IPERS into a defined contribution plan, which means lower monthly pensions.
One group want to take the whole thing and turn it into a defined plan, which
would affect everyone. Gary doesn't think this would happen since the
legislature is also covered by IPERS.
F. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Continue to log your volunteer hours.
2. Continue to alert Bill and Joelle of any changes for the Directory.
3. Time to pay your dues.
4. Justine, Warren and Sharon talked to Jack Lozier about parking at the Hall of
Pride. It may continue. His secretary has put our dates on the calendar
G. NEW BUSINESS:
1. FOOD BANK OF IOWA next month's program. Please bring a cash or check
donation; no food items.
2. Nominating Committee - Please consider becoming an officer. A Vice
President and head cashier are needed. Bill Synder discussed new
members. Bill asked members to take brochures on the tables and
give to someone to get new members.
3. Who will have a "Free" lunch in June? - Only NEW retirees for this year
2016-2017. A free lunch will be extended to NEW retires ONLY if
they respond that they will attend at a later date. Suggestion to consider
another month in the year, too, to cover the cost of a meal for those who
have been retired and would like to come and become a member.
4. Marilyn Reese - She has heard from people that we are not friendly. She
would like to have ideas. Suggestions: Have callers at certain tables;
certain colored name tags for new people; have callers talk to people;
greeters at the door;
8. Cashiers for the month of April are: Liz Benjamin, Marilyn Reese and Dee Fleischacker.
9. Announcements;
A. Spring District 5 meeting will be held in Knoxville Thursday, May 11, at the Marion
County Extension Office, 201 North Iowa Street in Knoxville. Registration at
8:30 a.m. Meal reservation by May 1; email Lyle Stirling - lylestirling@gmail.com
or call 641-208-6012.
10. Introduction of guests, visitors.
11. Puzzle: Dee Fleischacker read the answers to the puzzle.
12. If anyone has an idea for a speaker, please give names to Justine.
12. Door Prize: Jan Christianson.
13. President Finley adjourned the meeting at 12:36 p.m. The program on April 27 will be
"Storm Chasing with Channel 8 Weather Team."
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