Walking the walk

Melabev gears up for its seventh annual Don’t Forget Us Walkathon, a fund-raising event to provide care for those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

By RUTH BELOFF
Melabev 311 (photo credit: Courtesty)
Melabev 311
(photo credit: Courtesty)
Melabev is gearing up for its seventh annual Don’t Forget Us Walkathon, a fund-raising event for the Jerusalem based organization dedicated to providing care for those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
This year, the three-day walkathon, which takes place on November 23-25, will be held in the scenic and historic Carmel area, with varying types hiking trails to suit participants’ abilities and comfort levels.
In addition to hiking through valleys and forests in the Carmel, the events includes a preliminary Moonlight Walk through verdant Nahal Kesalon (between Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh) and a festive closing Thanksgiving barbecue dinner.
Bus service may also provided for those who can participate in only a one-day option.
Another opportunity to help support Melabev takes place on Thursday evening at the organization’s new premises at Derech Beit Lehem 152, where there will be refreshments and a screening of the film Secondhand Lions, starring Michael Caine and Robert Duvall.
Proceeds from the film and the walkathon go toward sustaining the wide range of services and facilities that Melabev provides. In addition to its nine adult day centers in Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh, Melabev has a support group for family members caring for a loved one with dementia; a team that brings activities into the patients’ homes; and accredited in-house courses for professionals in the field eldercare.
Melabev also offers access to Savion, a computer program in English and Hebrew that has been shown to strengthen the memory and cognitive skills of people with mild dementia.
The organization has also published a book on Alzheimer’s care entitled Alzheimer’s and Dementias: Treating and Coping with Mentally Frail in the Community. The 120-page volume includes articles that deal with various therapy techniques that have proven successful, such as horticulture and Snoezelen therapy.
Over the years, Melabev has garnered a number of award for its dedicated services, as have its founders, Leah Abramowitz and Prof. Arnold Rosin, each of whom has been honored as a Yakir Yerushalayim (Worthy of Jerusalem). Be it hiking in the hills or sitting and watching a film, Melabev won’t forget those who have helped them help others.
For more information, www.melabev.org or telephone 655-5826.