On Yom Yerushalayim Prof. Arnold Rosin, founder of Melabev received the prestigous Yakir Yerushalayim award for his dedicated work for Jerusalem's elders - especially those with Alzhimer's disease and dementia. Melabev, of course is very proud of the fact that in the past two years two of Melabev's founders have been honored with this award.
When he was told about the decision to award him "Yakir Yerushalayim" Prof. Rosin was a bit amazed and said " I admit that I haven't yet digested the meaning of this- I was happy and proud just being a regular citizen of Jerusalem. I love the city." But when looking at his life story it is obvious why he was chosen to join the ranks of "Yekerei Yerushalayim".
Prof. Rosin was born in Scotland in 1930. In 1960 he moved to London where he studied medicine in Glasgow University. He 1969 he made Aliya to Rehovot with his wife ,Marta. There he directed Herzfeld Hospital. In 1977 the couple decided to move to Jerusalem. There he worked in Shaare Zedek hospital.
From 1982-1984 he worked as the director of the hospital. "Those were hard times and I did my best just to keep my head above water. I didn't really want to direct the hospital, I much prefered clinical work with geriatric patients," says Rosin. This he was able to do for the 19 years that he ran the Geriatric department at Shaare Zedek, where he really changed the way the geriatric population was cared for. This department began as a part of the Internal medicine department, but under his guidance it became a department of its own.
Together with another "Yakir Yerushalayim", Leah Abramowitz, Prof. Rosin started Melabev. "At the hospital we saw patients who besides their other ailments also had dementia or Alzhiemer's disease. We would cure them of thier other diseases, but not of the Alzhiemer's and then when it came time to send them home there was no place for them to go. There really weren't any services then for people with Alzheimer's disease. They couldn't go to any of the day care centers around in those days". So together they decided to start a unique type of day care. Prof Rosin developed a special social and environmental treatment method for people with Alzheimer's. He has written and lectured extensively on this method which has proven successful over the 30 years that Melabev has been in existence. "We saw that the day care programs improved the quality of life of the group members and gave them a reason to wake up in the morning." This philosophy remains with Prof Rosin till today " if the patient is not appropriate for the environment then our duty is to adapt the environment to him."
"We were pioneers in the field- there was no such thing as a daycare program for people with Alzheimer's disease," explains Rosin. We went to the Ministry of Welfare to ask for help in running the center. They sent us to the Ministry of Health, since they had a disease. The Ministry of Health sent us back to the Ministry of Welfare claiming that it was for a social activy. Eventually Eshel took over the project for 5 years.
Prof. Rosin feels that part of his mission is teaching others about Geriatrics and Gerontlogy. For that reason he, along with Leah Abramowitz, founded the Institute for the Study of Aging. Every year many courses are offered that are relevent to those working with the elderly such as " Snoezelen therapy", "memory Improvement" and " Issues at the end of life." In the course of his career he wrote more then 100 professional articles in medical journals and participated in writing many books.
Prof. Rosin also directs Melabev's memory assessment clinic.
As a Geriatrician Prof. Rosin knows the importance of exercise - and he practices what he preaches - he has participated in many marathons - and of course Melabev's own Walkathons where he climbed mountains to benefit Alzheimer's care.
Motti Zelikovitch, Melabev's Directo-General says " if there is anyone who deserves the Yakir Yerushalayim award in the field of aging - it is for sure Prof. Rosin. I myself have learned so much from him. "
Anyone wishing to leave a personal greeting can do so through the website and you can read more about a special fund in honor of Prof. Rosin and Leah Abramowitz.
A well deserved award. Mazaltov!
A hearty mazaltov on this well-deserved award. Lang may yer lum reek!
Wishing you Mazal Tov on the amazing award........when I worked in Melabev I was very lucky to learn so much from you........May you be blessed with Health and Happiness with all your family.
With all my admirement and kindest regards Joanna
I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN PROUD TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH MELABEV FIRST AS A VOLUNTEER, THEN STAFF AS WELL AS DAUGHTER AND DAUGHTER IN LAW OF MOADON MEMBERS....MAZEL TOV ON THIS MUCH DESERVED AWARD. MAY YOU HAVE MANY MORE YEARS OF CONTRIBUTION TO THIS IMPORTANT CAUSE....APPRECIATIVELY, DEBBIE DAN
Mazal tov! A well deserved award. I wonder if you would consider setting up a day centre in Petach Tikva, especially in English. It is very sorely needed.