Noting that he was “really excited” to be here today, Schulze said he’d been with the organization for about 19 months, and is working to bring the medical center back to what it had been here. When word spread in his workplace that he was coming to Rotary to speak, many there wanted to come along and talk too – including Emergency Services (Nursing) Director Jacqueline Maturan and Seton Community Board Vice Chair Fred Naranjo who had donated a lot to this community to help with food insecurity (a big challenge here, he said) and Dr. Edmund Toye who is a general surgeon.
Schulze had learned about Rotary a couple months ago at a regional meeting to discuss what the next big project would look like. He learned that Rotary and District 5150 wanted to improve mental health in this country and the world; he had met Rotarians and learned of Rotary’s role in polio eradication. He has family members in Rotary in Taipei (district 3481) who met their significant others through Rotary.
He said he is not here to tell us how to fix health care but to share some facts about it. He noted that this is the only developed country where health care is not a (constitutional) right. But the U.S. is a health insurance marketplace. Here, you buy health insurance, and your health insurance company has a network of doctors, hospitals and ancillary providers they contract with. He invited us all to engage in the discussion too, since he wanted to learn more about passions with health care in San Mateo County.
He listed some numbers: the number of Americans age 65 and up is expected to increase from 58 million in 2022 to 82 million in 2050. When Medicare started in the 1960s, it was only designed to provide coverage for 5 years (i.e. age 65 to 70) and people are now living beyond the average age of 100. There are longevity conferences around the world focusing on how to live to be over 100?
The U.S. population now is older that it has ever been, so we have to have infrastructure in place to support the care that will be needed. We know that the majority of health care in this country – about 80 percent of health care -- is used by people 65 and older. We need to educate the population to use health care more when they are younger versus when they reach 65 and up. Between 1980 and 1922, the median age increased from 30 years of age to 38.9 years of age; we are seeing many states with populations getting older. Maine, for example, has a median age of almost 45; New Hampshire’s median age is 43.3.
We also are seeing obesity increase among Americans, to about 40 percent. And there is also a rising demand for elder care, especially among individuals of lower income and those with dementia; that number is doubling from about 6 million to 13 million.
Schulze said he is bringing this up because, as we start getting older as a population, we have to make sure we have the infrastructure to care for these individuals, make sure they are healthier, visit their doctors when they are younger -- you can’t wait till you are 65 to begin going to your doctor. There are many things we can do to keep our population healthy.
One item he wanted to add, is food insecurity. In 2022, about 9.1 percent of people 65 and older have food insecurity – they may not know where the next meal is coming from, or if they’re going to have dinner.
Stacy asked for clarification: What exactly do you mean by “food insecurity”? Answer: Not being able to afford healthy food, not fast food. We’re talking about a good serving of fruit, vegetables, meat, proteins.
California recently passed a law saying that, for hospitals, if you have excess and unexpired food, you have to work with a local food bank to donate it. Sometimes food in hospitals or cafeterias doesn’t get used; work is ongoing with food banks to donate it. When we’re looking to solve issues with health care, this is something we need to focus on.
Longevity: He mentioned that the number of individuals living past 100 is growing, in the 1950s, 1990s, 2000s. Currently we’re at about 101,000 centenarians, a number expected to grow by 2054 to about 422,000 individuals living past age 100.
Globally, we’re seeing about 722,000 centenarians, a number expected to grow to 4 million. You’re talking about the infrastructure to support the longer time that people are living.
Senior housing is very, very problematic, especially in San Mateo County. There is not enough senior housing available, to support individuals living longer. By 2030, we’re expected to have a shortage of 550,000 senior housing units. What’s needed is about $275 billion invested to improve that shortfall. And it’s not just seniors; we know the shortage of housing in the state, which is why property values are so high. Supply and demand. But especially the senior community; there’s not enough assisted living facilities to support the growing need. Facilities here are at 90-95 percent capacity, with wait lists. There is a shortage of independent living facilities as well. And it’s not cheap; the going rate for a shared room is about $8,000, and for your own room, about $12,000 a month. That’s insane, Schulze said; “We really need to figure out how to improve senior housing, especially in this community.”
Sandra Winter, Executive Director of Senior Coastsiders, welcome us and thanked us for prior contributions. Note the special dessert—a Canadian dessert bar (Naimo Bar?)/The meal we were served is very typical of the daily lunches provided by Senior Coastsiders kitchen. The kitchen serves up to 350 people each month. It is restaurant quality food. There is also a meal delivery service,; meals are provided to Puente to deliver on south coast; and they provide meals to CADHC.
Two other organizations use the kitchen—Table of Plenty and No Strings Attached Breakfast. At this time 27-28% of Coastsiders are seniors. The 85 and older group is the fastest growing segment. The organization meets the needs of a diverse age range from 55 and older (up to 100). Seniors generally make up 18% in other areas.
Other offerings include transportation, a new van was acquired last year. Classes include creative writing, art, crafts, grief support, Parkinson’s support. The mission is to support successful aging. This support takes into account where someone is and where they want to go. There are 13 on staff and 250-300 volunteers. Many volunteers are older adults. There is a full time care manager and the organization is looking for an additional one. The van takes people shopping, to social events, etc.
Programs at Senior Coastsiders are age dependent. The housing on this campus is provided by three non-profits, and there are about 400 residents. There are many Chinese seniors, so Senior Coastsiders hired a native Chinese speaker to help them learn English. The van also takes them into SF to shop. CERT training is also available. Senior Coastsiders also provides computer training and had a program to give out 75 tablets along with training. They work with AARP to provide tax services. There is a free assistive device program—the biggest challenge with that program is storage. The minor home repair program focuses on safety and functionality and includes Home Rehab Day. The Pet Buddy program provides volunteers and limited financial support.
Q. Do you help with insurance? A. Yes, we engage HiCap to help people to sign up for Medicare. You could have them speak to your group after November.
Q. In Bodega Bay the fire department would change alarm batteries. A. We could do that for you.
Q. Why so many Chinese residents? A. I’m not sure why, but there is a waitlist. It is a county-wide list, an applicant has to take what is available.
Q. Does a homeless person get priority. A. That is up to the housing non-profits who manage the housing.
Q. Do you provide mental health services? A. Not currently, but the new hire may.
Q. Where does your funding come from? A. From grants, donations and other. Our budget is 1.5 million.
Q. A. Do you serve meals 7 days a week? A. We serve 5 days a week and a frozen meal if needed.
Q. Do you charge for the meals? A. We allow people to contribute. About a quarter of meal recipients contribute.
Q. How does Senior Coastsiders differ from Village of the Coastside and Coastside Adult Day Health Center. A. CADHC provides medical services; we don’t provide medical services; we support more active seniors. Village of the Coastside is a focused on social outings,. You pay for those events. They also have a volunteer driver program and have workshops. It is a membership driven organization.
Q. Has the new Senior housing increased the number of participants? A. We’re not sure that is the case. HMB is a nice place to retire to. HMB also participates in the Age Friendly program and Senior Coastsiders supports the program.
Q. What can groups such as Rotary do to help? A. We are always looking for volunteers, grants are helpful, participation in special events like the Pumpkin Run and telling people about our services.
CLUB MEETING - October 3, 2024
Everyone assembled in the meeting room of the Half Moon Bay Library. It began when everyone moved outside the room into the sunshine, to pose for a photo for Mitone Griffiths’ District Governor Intro for and with her club, one that would show our meeting place. So everyone piled outside, smiled and posed.
Pledge of Allegiance - The pledge of Allegiance was led by Nancy Wolfberg.
Inspirational Thought - Kevin said that since it was a beautiful day, everyone should “channel your inner Ray Charles” to join in for “America the Beautiful.” Everyone did.
Visitors and Guests -Visiting Rotarian Kayla and Marla Wong.
Lobster Fest - Presentation to the Boys and Girls Club - Liz Schuck and Nancy Wolfeberg invited Jill Jacobson Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club up front “for a very important presentation.” She reminded those present that during the Lobsterfest we raised funds to help the Boys and Girls Club sponsor 80 students to one-day camps during the off-school times “so they don’t have to stay home and be latchkey kids” or endlessly be on their phones. Our Club had raised the $4,000 for which Jill and the Boys and Girls Club team had written the proposal, and so she was presented with a gigantic facsimile cardboard check plus the real one on behalf of the Half Moon Bay Rotary Club Foundation. Enthusiastic applause followed that presentation.
Jill said that the first half of the camp is scheduled for before Thanksgiving at Cunha, and all are invited to stop in to see it. There will be another camp over the Presidents Day and Spring break respectively. We were very excited at all that they are doing, said Liz, who added encouragement that members stop in and see the kids.
Barb Nielsen added that the club name is also listed on the nonprofit wall on Main Street at the vault, and any money raised through it goes to the Boys and Girls Club. The vault is an idea from David Oliphant, and it showcases local artists and the display changes every three months. If you put in tokens there, and also at New Leaf, you will further support the club.
The second check from the Rotary benefit goes to Maya Luna for Sea Hugger, but the representative was not there today.
Pres. Irwin's Quiz
Club president Irwin Cohen led a quiz, with a prize of a little box of cannoli: How many bones are there in one foot? Several guesses were made (163, 75, 52, 18), with the winner being 26 – 27. Irwin tells us that a quarter of all the bones in the body are in your feet. He knows, right?
TRF Update from Club TRF Chair Warren Barmore - Invited up as the club’s TRF chair, Warren Barmore spoke for the importance of EREY (Every Rotarian Every Year) which shows our support the Rotary Foundation. Not to be confused with the Rotary Foundation of Half Moon Bay, this is Rotary International’s foundation, which we commit to giving at least $25 every year through the Annual Share fund. Warren pointed out that the donation bucket is going around, and he described the advantages of being on Rotary Direct, for giving every month or one-time-a-year in July (the beginning of the Rotary year.) Currently our club has 17 members on Rotary Direct. He pointed out that Oct. 12 is “All Hands on Deck,” headed with the Rotary Foundation visit to the USS Hornet. That’s a great opportunity to see the Hornet and to view the potential impact of the collected funds. Today’s meeting attendees were able to fill out names and contact information on the 10 forms for raffle tickets) to get to the Foundation. We’re looking for $250 from our club. Susan Kealey filled out one such form last year and from a related drawing won $700. The top prize is $2,000. More information followed about the Rotary Foundation raffle and about Rotary Direct. Warren noted that he is on Rotary Direct for the minimum amount of $17 per month; and we can fill out more raffle ticket forms today, even if you don’t want to participate more. If we’re not signed up for EREY we can still go online to give to Rotary. It was noted that it is important to each give $25. Warren passed out pens to help. We can drop the filled-out forms to his office by tomorrow.
She began with calling for helpers to go to the shed at 3:15 tomorrow to clear our shed of equipment we can use for the event. But the school is right on the entryway to the high school which is crowded at 3:15, so the time to meet at the shed was adjusted, and (sad news) Terri’s pickup got sold. We can’t get into the hall until 4 and we don’t have a pickup to haul equipment, so Rotarians with a vehicle large enough to haul stuff from our six bins, will meet at the high school at 2:00: volunteers included Mike, Osborne, Ed, Heather. Next item is the auction. First, from our Wendy who is fighting breast cancer, is the $1,500 set of peridot necklace, earrings and bracelet she donated to the auction. Who has peridot in their collection? Liz asked. These were passed around to oohs and aahhs. Liz went on to say the Mitone and Ginger “have been working their tushes off” for this event. Ginger talked about the checkout and how well organized it is; how items will be displayed along with descriptions. We have less-elaborate display than in past years, but we’re trying to keep the auction small so as to focus on selling raffle tickets. She spoke of dining gift certificates, and Betty the Yeti, who is the slot machine (“Ding-Ding-Ding!” said Liz). More discussion followed about the auction (difficult to make out through the chatter for note-taking purposes) and Ginger talked about how we are streamlining the process to make it easier for attendees to eventually get their items. We have a total of 29 items of which four will be raffle items: Who Wants to be a Millionaire Scratcher basket, a Relay for Life quilt, a basket of assorted honey goods and a gift certificate for a lobster boil for four. You can get multiple tickets and choose which box you want. Ginger said the raffle items, like the auction items, will be identified by signs, and you can put your tickets in the box alongside your desired item.
Irwin Cohen introduced Assistant Governor Anne Campell, a retired educator with 40 years experience including teaching and being a principal of middle school, a school district superintendent, chairing a Measure H bond oversight committee for the San Mateo community college district, and San Mateo County Superintendent of Schools. She enjoys travel, reading and “hanging out with Rotarians!”
Anne introduced District Governor (2024-2025) Steve Wright. She called Steve and wife Colleen “a dynamic duo of service to Rotary.” He is from the Rotary Club of Pacifica and, after deciding that being club president wasn’t enough he and Colleen co-chaired the district conference for three years and then became PDG Gary Chow’s Chief of Staff. Believing in International Service, he and Colleen with his club had led a Global Grant supporting clean water and adult literacy for three years. “Every level of Rotary you’re thinking about, Steve was there,” she said, before introducing Steve, to a standing ovation.
Steve drew attention to the handout/brochures he had set at each place – inspired by Past District Governor and current Foundation Chair Gary Chow. These contained information about future events at the district level, and about the Grand Slam Award. It’s new this year: If you are a Major Donor, Bequest Society member, a Paul Harris Society member, and a Polio Plus Society member, then you’re a Grand Slam member.
The brochure contains a Resource Guide, a list of 100-plus names on the District Leadership team 2024-2025 (which includes our own Mitone Griffiths, the District Governor-Elect!) The brochure also described the Grand Slam Award and gave key dates: the foundation Amsterdam-Belgium Canal Cruise on Aug. 14-21, the Sept. 7 Membership Summit, the Oct. 12 Foundation event aboard the USS Hornet, World Polio Day (Oct. 24,) the World Peace Conference Jan. 24-26 in Rohnert Park, the District Assembly March 22, the Celebrate Hope in Action district conference in Santa Rosa and the Rotary International Conference on June 21-25 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and relevant Rotary Web sites.
Steve said that when people hear “district,” they tend to picture a monolith, and when someone had asked him what the district would do with a multimillion-dollar grant for affordable housing, he said the district would nix that, because the district is volunteers. Quoting Paul Harris, he said that “Everybody in Rotary has equal value. Some people just have greater responsibility for a period of time.”
PUMPKIN FESTIVAL 2023 - ROTARY CLUB CLAM CHOWDER BOOTH
Joe truly exemplifies the Rotary motto of Service Above Self in everything he does. We at the Rotary Club of Half Moon Bay are honored to have Joe as our valued member. Joe Brennan is most deserving to be recognized as District 5150’s Rotarian of the Month for September 2023!
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
United States of America