University of Arkansas Fort Smith to host Walk to End Alzheimer’s

FORT SMITH, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The River Valley community is getting groovy to end Alzheimer’s.

On Aug. 21, the Legacy Heights and Memory Lane Retirement Center in Van Buren hosted the third annual Rock-a-Thon, where residents and community members dressed up to relive the hippie rock era.

The center is one of only two certified Alzheimer’s special care units in the River Valley, with some residents living with dementia.

The Rock-a-Thon serves two purposes, according to Holly Willis, the CEO of Legacy Heights & Memory Lane.

“We’re able to raise awareness of the Alzheimer’s association as well as have fun with our residents — and the staff,” Willis said. “Because all of our staff are dressed like [the] ’60s today.”

The Rock-a-Thon was only the opening track on the community’s fight against Alzheimer’s. The University of Arkansas Fort Smith is hosting a Walk to End Alzheimer’s event on Sept. 21 .

The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s, held annually in over 600 communities across the country, is the world’s largest fundraiser supporting Alzheimer’s care, research and support services, according to the Walk to End Alzheimer’s website .

“It’s very important for us to partner with our local communities like this,” Van Buren walk manager Kim Schafer said. “Just so families can feel better about sharing information with each other, learning more about Alzheimer’s and steps that we can do to help awareness.”

For more information about the Rock-a-Thon and how to register, please visit the Walk to End Alzheimer’s website linked here .

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