Alzheimer's Club

CALAIS - Terry Rohe understands what a mind-robbing disease Alzheimer's is.

The former senior correspondent for ABC's "Good Morning America" was diagnosed with the disease several years ago.

But that hasn't stopped her or her message. Rohe has accepted the challenges of the disease as she has taken on every other assignment in her life: with grace, vigor and a heart-stopping smile.

The irony of her situation - 24 years ago Rohe did a five-part series on the disease for a Boston television station.

At the time, she said, she knew nothing about Alzheimer's.

Now, Rohe, 81, is doing her own continuing series as she lectures and talks about the disease.

Rohe was one of two guest speakers Wednesday at the Washington County Community College's and St. Croix Valley Healthy Community's "Step-up to Nutrition and Health Conference."

Alzheimer's, according to the Alzheimer's Association, is a progressive brain disorder that eventually destroys a person's memory and ability to learn, reason, make judgments, communicate and carry out daily living activities.

In this country alone, it is anticipated there will be a 44 percent increase in the disease by 2025.

"According to U.S. Census data, the size of the older population will double over the next 25 years, growing to 70 million by 2030 when the youngest of the post-World War II baby boomers will be more than 65 years old," the Alzheimer's Association said in its fact sheet. "Because age is a known risk factor for Alzheimer's, the United States could realize a 70 percent increase in the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease, with an estimated 7.7 million people affected."

Right now there is no known cure.

But Rohe isn't giving up.

First she found a good doctor near her home in Hancock County, then she created a scrapbook titled "KAAB - Keep Alzheimer's At Bay." She shared the scrapbook Wednesday night.

For Rohe, the key to battling Alzheimer's begins with a good diet, plenty of exercise, lots of music and volumes of laughter.

Rohe and her musician husband, Robert, 90, a bassist for the Bangor Symphony Orchestra then entertained the group with a variation on the words of a musical selection sung to the theme "Darling we are Growing Older."

Rohe who spoke the words to the song, at the end of it turned to her husband and said, "So darling, when silver threads knock out the gold and you can't remember what you've been told, just remember KAAB, and it will head off Alzheimer's to some degree."

Katherine Musgrave, 87, premier dietitian and professor emeritus at the University of Maine, talked about good nutrition and eating right as senior citizens. Musgrave's message - "a proper diet" leads to a "better life."

That diet includes eating plenty of grains, vegetables, milk, fruit, meat, beans and fish.

A fact sheet she handed out recommended that seniors consume a variety of nutrient-dense foods and beverages within and among the basic food groups and limit the intake of saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, added sugars, salt and alcohol.

Then it was off to the nearby gymnasium, which had been turned into a four-star restaurant for the night and included mood lighting and soft music.

There, the more than 50 people feasted on a nine-course meal prepared by students in the Culinary Arts Program at the college. Student chef Lorie Haag and sous chef Randy Taylor designed the meal that included braised beef Napoleon sauced two ways.

It was tops in flavor and presentation with its cracked peppercorn noodle sheets that blanketed a savory braised beef in a bordelaise sauce topped by a layer of sauteed button mushrooms. It was followed by one of three desserts that included cream puff Marsala with raspberry coulis.

The students received a warm round of applause from the audience for their culinary feast.

Source: Former ABC reporter battles Alzheimer's: Rohe speaks out against disease at WCCC nutrition event. Bangor Daily News (17 March 2006) [FullText]