A Blurry Eye Opening

A Blurry Eye Opening

By Steve Novotney

He had heard the word, “Alzheimer’s,” but never thought twice about the cognitive decline. He’s a young man, his memories are fresh, and no one in his life has been affected.

C.J. Rose, soon to complete his junior year at Wheeling Central Catholic High School, then experienced a dementia tour during a class visit by representatives of Right at Home. It not only altered his perspective, but also changed his mind.

Rose will be paying more attention to the connections between his diet, his heart, and his brain.

“When I first heard the term, ‘Alzheimer’s,’ I thought the person had said, ‘Oldtimer’s,’” he admitted. “I thought only older people could have it even after I made the distinction between the two terms, but I now know differently. Another thing I learned was that Alzheimer’s isn’t the only kind of dementia there is. That I didn’t know.

“I know a couple of my friends have grandparents who have been diagnosed with dementia, and they’ve told me that it’s sad to see,” Rose continued. “That’s why I was really interested with taking the virtual dementia tour.”

And Rose did. He listened intently to our staff members as he was introduced to few pieces of equipment utilized during the tour. He placed the shoe implants first; then he donned the glasses and the gloves; and then the headphones. Rose was then asked to perform simple, every-day tasks like opening a pill bottle and counting change.

“Even after I put everything on, I didn’t think I would have much trouble with anything I was asked to do,” he said. “I was so wrong, though. I couldn’t concentrate, and I couldn’t really see that well. Oh, and those things in my shoes? Those things drove me nuts.

“Now, I guess, I know more about how those folks live, and I also know I don’t want that to happen to me,” Rose said. “I paid a lot of attention to the conversation about your diet, and it makes sense.”

April Wintermoyer, owner of Right at Home in Morgantown and Wheeling, initiated the community education on dementia several years ago, and has recently expanded the program to include high schools and colleges within the service areas.

“More and more people are encountering some form of dementia involving a loved one,” she said. “And as of right now, it’s a disease that is not going away.

“We usually don’t hear a lot about Alzheimer’s or dementia because there’s a stigma attached to them. It’s not a common topic of conversation,” Wintermoyer added. “The more we talk about it, though, the better we can understand how best to prepare for the future.”