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The FOGHORN
ROTARY CLUB OF HALF MOON BAY
February 16, 2023
Mitch Williams of Home Helpers
Article by Joe Brennan
Photos by EJ Dieterle
Krystlyn introduced out speaker Mitch Williams of Home Helpers. They are a locally owned, trusted provider of quality, compassionate senior home care on the Coastside and throughout San Mateo County. They customize their home care to fit each unique situation for an affordable solution that keeps your elderly loved one where they are happiest: at home. (Staying at home is more expensive than a support facility)
Mitch explained the terminology of the three care options:
HOME HEALTH: This provides medical assistance for physical or mental therapies, medications monitoring, dressings, hygiene and other medical needs in the home. 
HHOSPICE/PALLIATIVE CARE: This is just making the patient comfortable and safe.
HOME CARE: Home Care is the service Home Helpers provide. This is the providing of non medical care @ home for life’s needs which may include some or all of the following needed services:
- Post HOLIDAY SEASON
- DRIVING
- FOOD/NUTRITION
- HYGIENE
- BEHAVIOR
- DAILY TASKS
- EXERCISE
- MEDICATION
- FINANCES
- SAFETY
Care givers are not Physical Therapists but can see that PT instructions are followed
Dementia care is a broad category of maybe 100 stripes of conditions.
Symptoms begin to show up and an assessment is advised to determine what type of condition is present and accordingly what therapies are needed. This will be done by family and friends long before turning to professionals.
What to do?
Establish gentle communications, open ended questions so they do not feel badgered or cornered but just a breezy conversation. When necessary seek professional help who can do some research and make recommendations. One size does not fit all and a plan can be developed when the limitations and goals are known.
Activities of daily living are important to plan for, execute and reflect upon. Establishing routines give a welcome structure to their daily life.
Q: What does Home Helpers look for in employees? A: Compassions, Experience, Reliability. It is lways difficult to find help especially during Covid, still that way…
Q; One day relief? A: No Most cases require 3 to 5 - 4 hour visits a week minimum
Q: What are your shifts? A: One day shift or one night shift. Live in for overnight.
Q: What are the challenges of the business? A: Retention & Recruiting = how do you keep the good ones, how do you find more of the same?
Q: Do you provide Languages other than English? A: Languages are available and they find reversion to native language in the progression of dementia. A heavy accent is a no-go with dementia and also with hearing loss patients.
Q: How long have you been around? A: 10 years @ 655 Miramontes 650-532-3122
CLUB MEETING, February 16, 2023
President Krystlyn Giedt rang the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Warren Barmore provided an inspiring thought for the day
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Announcements
Rotary Climate ActionTeam Work announced.
MAGIC OF THE COASTSIDE plans presented by Barb Nielson
August 19th 5 to 9PM in the IDES Hall
Menu: Lobster, sausage, corn on cob, potatoes etc.
Start 150 to 200
New England Lobster Market is purveyor
Plans required MANY volunteers as in years past.
Music, band, magician?? Working on this
Hiring security?
Inventory our equipment
Warren to find sponsors = Colleen’s sponsored
Liquor license & Food handling certifications
Marketing, Krystly to assist
Calculating price
Fund Raising.
No Auction this year as it is a lot of work
Fund a need appeal instead of auction
Costs will be $50 to 60/person so looking at ticket for $90-95
Liz Schuck reported on Donations from other Rotary clubs after the shooting and how she and Barbra distributed Safeway gift cards at Moon Ridge with Joaquin Jimenez. They also shared observations about the flooding problems at Moon Ridge as well as parking issues. City attempting to annex Moon Ridge into City Limits (built intentionally outside and up a canyon). Mary Rogren added that the water billing situation is also a blow to residents who will see bills grow $100 to $400 a month. There are 160 units there and fully occupied. The project was pushed by Anna Eschu and developed by Mid Pen. The City will schedule Listening Sessions soon.
District Assembly coming on March 25th. Register now! This shows our spirit and supports incoming president Liz. The Club will pay our registration fee:
Joe Brennan reported the La Paz, Baja, Mexico trip roster:
- Ginger Minoletti
- Kevin O’Brien
- EJ Dieterle
- Rose Mortilla
- Bill Johnston
- Austin Stowell
- Jim Holley
- and Joe
They will be departing March 8th and Returning on the 14th.
We will be cooking Breakfast at the Lutheran Church on Feb 22nd. Contact Warren Barmore for more information and to sign up for the 6am or 8am shifts.
Dictionaries need distributing if you’d like to participate please contact Warren
Doug and Stacy have a stepped up to the co-captains of our Relay for Life Team. The event is on July 15th, put it on your calendar and donate now to support our teams goat tour help Cancer Research and victim/survivor support!
Marble Game - 
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PHOTO GALLERY
