"Alzheimer's disease affects not just the individual but everyone around them. Caring for a loved one can often feel like a difficult and thankless task, a seemingly hopeless battle against time—a challenging and invisible service full of new situations and life challenges. For this reason, today, the purple ribbon honors not only those living with dementia but also their helpers, families, friends, and caregivers. No one should face this life task alone. Hope lies not only in medical treatment but also in a more accepting environment. Let us support each other; even the smallest kind gesture can provide relief in carrying this burden," said Benita Perei, pastoral coordinator and the event’s moderator, in her opening remarks.
After the introduction, the actual Alzheimer’s Walk began, a quiet procession around the park, encircling the right side of the Bishop's Palace building, then returning to the starting point. Here, four themed tables awaited participants, each representing a different stage of life and illustrating methods of memory recall.
The first table, called "Spring of Our Life," showcased popular, familiar, and lesser-known memory-enhancing games, as well as easy-to-make home stimulation games. The second table, "Summer of Our Life," featured an old radio record player and evergreen hits, demonstrating music’s beneficial effects in the care of those facing mental decline. At the third table—“Autumn of Our Life”—guests enjoyed warm tea, coffee, and homemade pastries, as well as a scent quiz, which illustrated how memories can be evoked through smells and tastes. The fourth table, "Winter of Our Life," offered inspiration for creating memory-keeping books. Organizers also summarized options for memory-stimulating activities for people with dementia in a take-home leaflet, suitable for both home and institutional care. Youth volunteers from the Háló organization assisted at each table as part of the "72 Hours Without Compromise" action.
The event concluded with a group prayer and the lighting of purple tea candles, symbolizing the preservation of hope for those affected by the disease and their families.
