Students learn to work with elderly

A field trip to The Lodge, an assisted-living and memory-care center in Carson City, gave 16-year-old Amanda Carlson a new perspective.

"Things like this help you see how it really is," she said. "Not just what you see in school."

Health occupations teacher Shauna Wilkens this week brought her students for tours of the facility, which included direction on how to care for Alzheimer's patients.

Although the budget for field trips has been cut, she continues to make them available by walking with her students to health care centers within a mile of campus.

"It's important for them to see the different job opportunities in health care," she said. "There's so many jobs in a facility like this, and a lot of students don't know about them."

In its second year at Carson High School, the health occupations program is gaining momentum.

"It's huge," said Wilkens. "I think they see that even in a recession, this is one of only a few fields that's still growing."

Wilkens brought two classes, with about 25 students in each, on both Tuesday and Thursday to learn what goes on at the center and the basics of caring for patients with Alzheimer's disease.

"Our future looks brighter knowing our youth have open minds about aging and how they can assist their geriatric loved ones to feel a sense of purpose and be safe, clean, happy and loved," said Paula Freud, mission coordinator for The Lodge.

Kenzie Bales, 15, appreciated the experience.

"It's nice to know there's a place that does this for people," she said. "As sad as it is, you know they're being taken care of."

Throughout the year, students also support different causes, including breast cancer and juvenile diabetes.

"We try to do a different project every month," Wilkens said.