7th Memory Walk: A Community Call to Support Alzheimer's Care
In the well-manicured suburb of Adda Heights, Johor Bahru, the 7th Memory Walk, organised by the Johor Bahru Alzheimer's Disease Support Association (JOBADA), brought together a vibrant crowd on September 28th to commemorate World Alzheimer's Day. The event celebrated community spirit while shedding light on the growing need for Alzheimer's and dementia care.
Since its inception in 2008, the Memory Walk has steadily grown, uniting healthcare professionals, families, individuals passionate about mental health and those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia themselves. 130 participants joined the walk this year, marking its most successful turnout yet.
"The increasing involvement from the general public reflects a positive shift," said JOBADA Chairman, Mr. M Soorian. "It shows that awareness around mental health issues is expanding beyond the healthcare community," he added.
JOBADA's Vital Role in Dementia Care
JOBADA, runs Johor Bahru's only Alzheimer's and dementia daycare centre, offering daily care and companionship to its "friends," as the patients are lovingly called. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the centre provides exercise sessions, games, and activities to keep its attendees engaged and happy.
Throughout the week, they receive visits from health professionals from government and private hospitals and medical and nursing students from universities in Johor Bahru. They talk and accompany the patients during exercises, games, sing-alongs and other activities.
However, the growing demand for JOBADA's services comes with challenges. Many families are now requesting full-time care—which the centre hopes to provide in the future.
"The number of senior citizens is increasing every year, making Alzheimer's and dementia care an urgent need," Mr. Soorian noted.
Financial Challenges in Sustaining care
While a successful fundraiser, the Memory Walk underscores the financial strain JOBADA faces. This year's event cost over RM20,000 to organise, with RM10,000 from the state government and RM5,000 from Yayasan Bandaraya. Donations covered the remaining costs and even allowed JOBADA to save RM5,000 for its operations.
Still, the centre's monthly expenses of RM13,000 remain a daunting challenge. Patients are charged a nominal fee of RM50 per day, and another RM20 is subsidised to cover food, trained caregivers, utilities, and building maintenance. With only RM5,000 collected monthly from patient fees, JOBADA relies heavily on unpredictable donations to bridge the gap.
A Call for Community Support
Despite financial hurdles, JOBADA remains committed to its mission to serve the dementia community. "Every contribution, no matter the size, goes a long way in helping us sustain these essential services," said Mr. Soorian.
The Memory Walk is a testament to the power of community, but it also serves as a call to action for continued support. With awareness growing, there is hope for consistent funding that will allow JOBADA to expand its services and reach more families in need.
For donations or more information, please contact JOBADA directly or visit their centre in Johor Bahru. You can also contribute through Sokong.org by clicking here.
Stay tuned for part 2 of the article, “A Silent Crisis: Alzheimer’s in Johor,” where we dive deeper into the challenges of dementia care in Johor and the stigma surrounding this growing issue.
