Blog: 3D News

Nor– Bu Lodge 3-427 participated in a “Walk to End Alzheimer’s” in October.  It’s lodges like Nor-Bu, Norrona, Gateway to Florida and others that are making a difference for the future.

Under the leadership on District 3 President Kathy Dollymore and with the dedicated perseverance of Lodge leaders like Audun Gythfeldt and Kaare Hansen; The 3rd District, “Supports a Dementia Friendly Society”  As Sons of Norway Lodge members, none of us has to look very far to find inspiration for joining the fight to put an end to this dreaded disease.  What is your lodge planning for 2022?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

However your lodge choses to work toward creating a dementia friendly society, you have the backing of the 3rd District for your efforts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Newsletter Contest

Beginning now there will be a newsletter contest and all lodges will be eligible to win!

Simply, insert the exact statement; “Lodge name– Supports a Dementia Friendly Society” as a permanent part of your lodge newsletter’s masthead.

Submit your newsletters to me, Dirk Hansen     Submissions will be judged on prominence and overall appearance.  A $100 donation will be made to the 3rd District Charitable Trust in the winning Lodge Editors name.  Sorry, Southern Star is not eligible even though they have already begun to do this.

 

Know the early signs of Alzheimer’s Disease

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  Recognize memory loss that disrupts your daily life. We may all have “senior moments”, like missing an appointment or having difficulty locating our keys. If these lapses in memory become more frequent, if you ask repeatedly for the same information or forget the name of a close friend, it doesn’t hurt to get your cognitive abilities checked out.

• Are you experiencing challenges in planning or solving problems? When certain tasks such as following a recipe or paying bills become increasing difficult, they may be red flags and that you are experiencing a mild case of Alzheimer’s.
• Is it difficult to complete familiar tasks? You went to local store and had trouble remembering how to get home. You were knitting Norwegian mittens and forgot what to do.Tasks you once completed with ease are now taxing to complete.
• Are you experiencing confusion with time or places? Those with Alzheimer’s often feel confused even when they are in the most familiar places. They tend to get lost easily or forget where they are. If you struggle to remember what day of the week it is too frequently, it is not normal and may be a sign of cognitive decline.
• Do you have trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships? Our normal aging will usually affect our vision. For those developing Alzheimer’s. the changes may be more significant and potentially dangerous. It may be very frustrating to be unable to read a book, but misjudging distance and colors especially when driving can be disasterous.
• Do you have new problems with words in speaking or writing? Language difficulties and declining conversational skills can be very frustrating and discourage us from mainting our social relationships. Perhaps others have noticed you struggling for the right word or often repeating yourself.
• Are you misplacing things and losing your ability to retrace your steps? We all misplace things but those with early Alzheimer’s may hide things in unusual locations. When they cannot find them they may in frustration accuse others of taking them or losing them.
• Are you using diminshed or poor judgement? We all make poor judgements occasionally but those with Alzheimer’s will do so more frequently. They may dress inappropriately or forget routine personal grooming or hygeine.
• Have you withdrawn from work or social activities? It is important to recognize changes in your behaviour. Have you stopped activities you once enjoyed and find yourself sleeping more? Have you discontinued seeing friends and family or going out to a lodge meeting?
• Are you experiencing changes in mood and personality. Those suffering from Alzheimer’s experience changes that are not consistent with their past experiences. They may feel depressed, anxious, paranoid, suspicious or an endless variety of feelings that are not familiar.
• If you feel any of these early signs or a sense of reduced cognitive ability is affecting your daily life seek professional assistance. The warning signs of Alzheimer’s can be frightening but the sooner you get a diagnosis, the sooner you can be relieved you don’t have it or the sooner you can treat it.

 

October Foundation Month Update

To:  Sons of Norway District Foundation Directors

From:  Jon Tehven

RE:  Together We Are The Future – Report

Date:  January 11, 2022

 

The ‘Together . . . ‘ campaign goal was to raise $150,00 between September 2021 and January 15, 2022.

As of January 6, 2022, $164,607 has been donated by our lodges and members.

Here is an unofficial comparison, which will be updated once the 2021 campaign has concluded and donations/records verified:

2020 Together 2021 Together

Amount donated $137,000* $164,607*

Number of Lodges 113 137

$Total Lodge Donations $56,510 $68,657

$ Average per Lodge $416 $501

Number of Members -details later

$Average per Member -details later

* Does not include any donations of $20,000 or more.

A final report should be ready in February.

Thanks to all who made the ‘Together . . . ‘ another successful SON Foundation initiative!

PS – This edited report was also sent to the SON Foundation Board of Governors

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New officers are getting the feet wet.  Convention planning and delegate elections are beginning to happen and many lodges are making budgetary decisions for 2022.  How does the 3rd District Charitable Trust, The Sons of Norway Foundation and Alzheimers/Dementia awareness fit into your lodge’s financial plans for the coming year?

 

Please email me (Editor) with any future plans your Lodge has in support of Alzheimers/Dementia Awareness, The 3rd District Charitable Trust and The Sons of Norway Foundation