Program: Mount Evans Home Health Care and Hospice
Charley Shimanski
 
We were privileged to have the President and CEO of Mount Evans Home Health Care and Hospice visit us today.  Mr. Shimanski provided an excellent overview his facility's services and an explanation of why they need support.  Their coverage area is huge, including four counties:  Jefferson, Clear Creek, Gilpin and Park counties.  The services they offer include a large list that goes well beyond their name, to include home health care, palliative care, hospice, grief support, Camp Comfort and Mountain Journey, and that includes all ages.
 
Their home health services are desired and widely accepted by patients because it is less expensive and more convenient than driving to a ficility for therapy and care.  Palliative care specializes in care for people with serious illnesses but not terminally ill.  Hospice is care for patients who have illnesses that will end in death within 6 months.  Its purpose is to make the patient comfortable and to give them dignity.  In addition, hospice care provides just as much support for caregivers and family members.  Grief support services are for those left behind.  There are a grief support groups for both adult and child losses and they are free of charge.  Camp Comfort is for children 6-12 years old who have lost a family member.  It includes mentoring, workshops and fun activities.  Mountain Journey is a free program for isolated people, provided by social workers.
 
Mt Evans is addressing the challenges of their present and future proactively and with conviction.  Providing for the aging population in the foothills is the first challenge.  Called the Silver Tsunami by AARP, projections are for a doubling the over-70 population in the next 15 years.  Other aspects include a workforce shortage—nurses, nurse practitioners and geriatricians and dealing with government regulation and insurance changes.  For example, Medicaid patient payments fall well short of costs.  This is where charitable contributions allow Mr. Evans to care for these patients and to provide free programs.  In fact,  Mt. Evans provides care for patients without insurance—20% of their patients expenses are not fully covered.  For that reason, charitable donations provide 25% of their budget.
 
Mt Evans has two major fundraisers each year, and their Benefit Gala is this Saturday February 25th at Mt. Vernon Country Club.  Check it out at https://www.mtevans.org/feb-25-benefit-gala/.  And if you cannot make the event, you can still participate in the silent auction online auction at the Mt. Evans web address.  Auction items will be posted online starting this Friday at 8:00AM. 
 
 
Announcements/Business:
  • Club Events
    • We plan to send 12 young people for this year’s RYLA; the Club and the Foundation monies will pay for scholarships.
    • The August 19 Evergreen Blue Grass Festival will donate proceeds to the 285 Back Pack Project!  Our Club will have a booth and we will need volunteer help.
    • The new Platte Canyon Community Partnership Resale Boutique (Thrift Store) is inviting the Club to partner for 2 months this year (months to be determined).  By providing volunteer assistance to the Boutique, our club will receive 75% of the profits for the Back Pack Project.
    • St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Fundraiser Party is March 17 at the Evergreen Lutheran Church at 5980 Co Rd 73, Evergreen.  Yvonne has flyers and tickets for distribution and sale.  Mega thanks to Conifer Interact High School students who created our St. Patrick's Day Fundraiser flyer and tickets.  In addition to volunteering, club members can support the effort by donating $20 for wine purchase.
    • NO CLUB MEETING MARCH 14 because we will be preparing for St. Pats!
    • Pat Hagan has free Mountain Area Garden and Home Show tickets to give away.  The dates are April 22 and 23 at Conifer High School.
    • The 9Health Fair community event at Our Lady of the Pines and the Veterans Rendezvous will both be on May 20.  We will divide up our volunteer efforts into registration support for the health fair and cleanup at the Rendezvous.
    • We plan to meet June 3 for Road Clean-up---Mark will confirm with the highway department.
    • The Club Foundation will meet to discuss scholarships, RYLA scholarships, and books for newborns via the Dolly Parton Foundation.  Wendy will send email to board members.
  • The Mardi Gras Fundraiser Party for Evergreen Rotary International projects is this Friday.  Get information and tickets at http://www.evergreenrotarymardigras.com/
  • Ben Allen from Evergreen Rotary thanked the club for all the support in transporting Anna Carolina to and from her medical appointments.